The sheer joy in any child's smile, particularly a child with severe learning difficulties and special needs, can not fail to bring a tear to your eye. Add a pony to the mix, gentle motivation and a sense of achievement and your heart melts. The caring enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers is inspiring too. I joined the Group in 2001 with the love of horses in my mind and some time on my hands! I had no idea how much the children and their individual specialist needs would challenge my own values. So much so, in 2007, I qualified as a Group Instructor.

We are a competitive Group and thrive on encouraging each rider to develop their technique and confidence in order to reach their personal goals. In doing this, some of our riders have gone on to compete at Regional and National level, with a few reaching the Special Olympics. Parties at Christmas and Easter, a Musical Ride competition, gymkhana, handy pony and dressage events ensure all the riders win plenty of rosettes and, moreover, obtain a sense of achievement.

Every year we organise a 'Camp Week' which gives the riders the opportunity to learn how to care for their pony: grooming, tacking up, washing and feeding their pony. There are games and quizes incorporating what they've learnt after a picnic under the oak tree and, weather permitting, we can take the riders out of the riding school on a 'hack' in the countryside. Monies raised from my run will hopefully pay for these four days of fun and invaluable experience.

Have I mentioned I am attemping to run my first 10k race? Having not run before, training has been a revelation and, at times, the pain most unwelcome! But with a worthwhile cause in mind and the cheering crowds of London, I am looking forward to the challenge

More information and photographs about Court Meadow Group RDA can be found at www.courtmeadow-rda.org.uk