Hi! My name is Jacqueline Lu and I am currently a Junior (Class of 2027) at Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwan.

This will be my third summer volunteering at Barnfield Riding School, an establishment affiliated with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in Kingston upon Thames, London. When I was little, I accompanied my sister to go horse riding and was so jealous that I was too young to ride. Ever since, I have been obsessed with horses and have been riding every weekend I can. Spending so much time at the stables have taught me innumerable things, from getting over my fear of insects to learning how to clean and maintain the cleanliness of horses. The most important part of Barnfield is its commitment to therapeutic riding, where riders with disabilities are able to have their physical, emotional, and social needs addressed through the quiet, unconditional acceptance of horses. It is true that there are already many private stables working with different disabled groups, nevertheless RDA stands out because riders are given a lot of independence intentionally. Volunteers at Barnfield offer support seamlessly without being intrusive, only offering help when help is sought. My summers at RDA have been exceptionally fruitful for me to observe how the senior volunteers are respectful of others, quietly supporting and facilitating the running of the programs. Many organizations underestimate the capabilities of people with disabilities, but RDA is not one of them. RDA actually cares 100% about the rehabilitation and growth of its riders, that is why the courtyard is always filled with laughter—human and animal alike. I distinctively remember seeing horses playing and rolling around on the field. That was something unfamiliar to me. Among all of the stables I have been to and time I have spent there, the horses actually look free and happy to be at Barnfield, just like the riders. The first summer at Barnfield, I saw riders finish their sessions with a genuine smile that was previously not there. That moment is something that I will never forget, which is why I keep coming back. This transformative joy is what motivates me to work harder to ensure that more people can experience this life-changing therapy that improves motor function and enhances social skills at a level equal or greater than traditional therapies.

I would like to raise funds to help these adults and children with disabilities have more access to this therapy that is being subsidized through donations. I will also be donating all of the wages I have earned from working part-time at a sourdough bakery, because I believe that this cause is worth every bit of it. With the money I raise, I will donate it all to Barnfield, which will go to allowing more adults and children with disabilities to experience this transformative experience. The money will also go to the maintenance of horses’ well-being and facilities to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy and learn from these horses. I also hope to explore partnerships with organizations that share this mission but have not yet formally collaborated with them such as Scope UK that emphasizes enriching experiences for individuals with disabilities which could extend Barnfield’s reach to new communities. Other organizations such as the Mind UK can also collaborate with RDA due to the recognition of the therapeutic value of nature-based and animal-assisted interventions.

At Barnfield, a half hour class costs 50 pounds. If 10 people donated 5 pounds each, a rider can benefit from a free class. This directly alleviates the financial cost on the riders' guardians. Therefore, I rally everyone who is reading this to donate generously to RDA. We are grateful for any donation big or small. Although the current target of this fundraising is 5000 pounds, I will continue to fundraise for RDA in future campaigns.

For many individuals with disabilities, riding and grooming a horse is not just a recreational activity, but it is also a unique doorway to confidence, connection and freedom. The greatest beneficiaries from this fund will be all who will get to experience and use RDA facilities. What the volunteers are doing there is truly admirable, but as a non-profit that relies solely on donations, they need our support to keep this program going. Please consider giving, for every child who deserves the chance to feel what it is like to be with horses.

Every donation not only supports Barnfield and RDA, but also raises awareness on the need to expand this therapy to more individuals.

Thank you so much for your support!!