CHILDREN with disabilities from Andover schools took to the saddle in a Riding for the Disabled gymkhana at Sladen Green near Binley.

More than 50 pupils in total from five schools - Wolverdene Special School, Mark Way, Kingsclere Primary, Icknield and Mark Way, rode a pony for the day and participated in organised activities.

Each child was presented with three rosettes for their efforts by Sue Davies, Riding for the Disabled area representative.

Organiser Elizabeth Maclay, from Binley, said: "The idea was to get all the children together so they had a fun day."

Volunteers acted as judges and marked the children on a handy pony obstacle course, a gymkhana game where the ponies weaved between poles and finished with a walk in the woods.

Elizabeth thinks the day was beneficial to all who took part. She said: "At first, when the children start riding some are apprehensive, but 99.9 per cent of them absolutely love it."

Mercedes Leonard, of Hatherden, who was judging the children, said: "Overall, it was an extremely happy day. It was a pleasure to hear the squeals and shrieks of joy coming from the children."