Charlotte’s Story
‘I love all the horses at the Cavalier Centre but my stand out favourite is Freddie as he is the one that I ride and have a really good bond with, he is a gentle giant.’
Life for Charlotte has been very challenging, at 5 she was diagnosed with autism and at 7 anxiety after which ADHD was also diagnosed. Charlotte is often overwhelmed and finds it really hard in big crowds because of this she has been home schooled to reduce the stress of social anxiety. She has thought process dyslexia which means she finds it difficult to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. She says ‘My day to day living is effected in different ways and I take each day as it comes.’
Whilst looking for a social and rewarding outlet for Charlotte her mother searched online for riding schools that deal with children with a disability and that is how she came across the Cavalier Centre, so they decided to see if Charlotte would enjoy it. Charlotte is so glad she did as she has been riding here for over 9 months and says ‘I went for my first time and I’ve not stopped going since, I absolutely love the place.’
Riding has helped grow her confidence socially and reduce her anxiety. Her ability with horses has also improved as she has taken the opportunity to volunteer at the Centre which gives her responsibility, independence.
Charlotte is doing so well that within the 9 months she has been with the Cavalier Centre she has been entering competitions. She came 2nd in her first ever competition, the country side challenge, independently ridden junior class and also won a trophy for Shropshire when she came 1st in the dressage junior class.
When asked who her favourite horse was Charlotte said ‘I love all the horses at the Cavalier Centre but my stand out favourite is Freddie as he is the one that I ride and have a really good bond with, he is a gentle giant.’
