Princess Anne's riding school visit

Jul 30, 2008, 11:01 GMT

Britain's Princess Anne has opened a new reception building at a riding school.

The princess travelled to Penniwells Riding School for the Disabled in Elstree, Hertfordshire, where she presented long service awards to eight ponies and 13 volunteers.

She also unveiled a plaque for the new building.

The Princess Royal also visited the centre in 1997, when she attended a ceremony to mark the opening of an indoor riding area.

Sarah Healing, who works at the riding school, said: "It was such a lovely day. It was similar to the visit in 1997 when the Princess Royal came to open the indoor riding area. She was just as open and easy to talk to as she was then.

"This time she met with riders and volunteers at the centre. She seemed to be genuinely interested in learning about the work we do here."

Chairman of the Penniwells Group Trix Summerfield added: "It is a great boost for us to have somebody so interested in the sport to come and visit us here. Princess Anne was on fantastic form and clearly knew everything that anyone could ever know about horses."

Penniwells opened in 1980 and has facilities for over 140 disabled children and adults.

The princess is a keen horse rider and rode with the Great Britain equestrian team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.