EVERY week a handful of physically challenged children make their way to the Riding for the Disabled programme at the WindReach Recreational Village in Warwick where they leave the confines of their wheelchairs for the sure joy and freedom of being on a horse. One person who has been with the organisation since the very beginning is Moyra Benbow. Now, more than a decade later, Mrs. Benbow is retiring from the organisation and met with Mid-Ocean News’ Tricia Walters and Chris Burville to talk about her passion for horses and the contribution she’s made to the island’s youth.

Q: How did you end up working for Riding for the Disabled.

A: I was teaching on the base. It closed and I did some substitute teaching in the local schools where I looked around and decided I’d do something different. And I have a riding and teaching background as well. I heard about this job... and landed here. It was just on the drawing board at that stage in 1995. In fact there was nothing here when I started. We met up at the house which was up here... it was a private house on the property, and planned the buildings and supplies and everything, and sat watching as it all went up.

>Q: What are some of your more memorable experiences?

A: Princess Anne has visited twice and she’s always good for our exposure and she’s a good person. She’s the president of the British Riding for the Disabled and very knowledgeable. She’s also really great with the children and appreciative of everything. The Governor has been to visit and we also had one of the top disabled, or special needs riders from England, Lee Pearson, who came out when we opened our covered arena. That was quite memorable because people could see what someone could really aspire too. He wins nothing but gold medals in the Paralympics. Britain is outstanding because of riders like him. Those were some of the more memorable visits.

Q: Does Bermuda compete in the Paralympics?

A: Yes we do, we have three riders. Sandy Mitchell, who is the founder of WindReach, has competed in the Paralympics each year. He keeps one of his horses here. We had two other riders, Kirsty Anderson and Phyllis Harshaw, who have both ridden competitively abroad for Bermuda. All three have competed in World Championships as well as ParalympicsQ:<$> What was your greatest challenge while at the centre?

A: My greatest challenge was getting volunteers. While we do have some wonderful volunteers, we have two problems - pregnancy, we lose quite a few that way, and when they eventually leave the island because our volunteers are mostly ex-pats. We are also trying to encourage the Duke of Edinburgh students to do their community service here and the school students who have to do their community service. It’s becoming quite an important part of their curriculum now.

Q: It must be very rewarding working with these children?

A: It is. One little boy, who is always smiling and laughing, hasn’t been with us very long. I was talking to the lady who comes with him saying what a happy little boy he is. She said “It’s only on the days he comes to you that he’s happy, he’s not so happy at school, but as soon as he knows it’s a riding day, he doesn’t stop smiling.” So, it’s things like that that makes it worthwhile. And seeing the progress of the children. And just seeing... lifting a child from a wheelchair onto the back of a pony, they are now at the same height as everyone else, they can talk at a level to you, they have good legs underneath them, and they can learn to control their ponies and just compete on a level with other people, which they can’t normally do.

Q: When they first come to the centre, how long does it take before you see an improvement in their balance and stability?

A: It varies with the children. Sometimes some of the little ones are very scared the first day, but that doesn’t last longer than half a lesson at the most. And as soon as they start relaxing, they start benefiting from the ride. Every lesson is therapy for them, even though you don’t see a great improvement with some of them, you know that each lesson is giving them therapy, and giving them fun and enjoyment and a challenge. To them it seems risky, which is good. It’s good to be challenged in that way and they meet with other children and volunteers so it’s a good social interaction as wel

Q:<$> What will you miss the most?

A: I think the children. We have to graduate some of them out of the programme because every year there are more applying to come in. But the more severely physically challenged, or mentally challenged that really have no other sport or activity they can do, we try and keep them here as long as we possibly can. We have one young rider that we hope will go on to become a Para-Olympian. He has been riding for some years.

Q:<$> Have any of them ever come back to you and said “If it wasn’t for you...?”

A: Yes, they have. (laugh) In fact one of our little riders writes to us every year. She’s now gone abroad, but writes me long letters and sends me pictures. She’s now competing and starting show jumping, and hearing from her is really rewarding.

>Q:<$> How involved in horses where you when you were younger?

A: I used to compete in show jumping up until the age of 16.B>Q:<$> Why did you stop?

A: Education, you know going to college... that kind of thing. Also, once you’re out of the junior division, it’s a whole different ball game competing in the seniors. It’s all about the money, the time, and talent and getting horses and that kind of thing.

Q: I’ve been told that over the years you’ve cared for a lot of animals. Were they all rescued?

A: Not all... the horse, the pony and the mule I’ve had all along. The pony (Squirrel) and horse (Speckles) used to be jumpers and competed in shows, but they’re both in retirement now. Squirrel is at the centre and Speckles and Molly the mule are retired close to my home. The other animals, like the pig, parrot and goat are mostly rescue animals and the cats were all wild and adopted us. (laugh) At one stage we also had a skunk, two monkeys and some rans.

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Bermuda?

A: I grew up in Surrey in England, but I was born in London when World War Two broke out. We were involved in all the air raids and bombings. Our house was bombed in London, so we moved down to Surrey and then our school was flattened. I was four when war broke out, but I still remember. As for Bermuda, I went into teaching and taught in London and decided to travel. So this was my first stop in 1964 where I taught at Warwick Academ

Q:<$> You also taught at the school on the old US base, how long were you there?

A: Twenty-five years. I was the host nation teacher, which means I taught what they call Bermuda culture. So I taught the children all about the island, including how to make Bermuda kites and Cassava pie. We used to go on field trips and also had guest speakers. The base school was a good school.

Q: What are you planning to do now that you’ve retired?

A: Who knows. (chuckle) I’ve already been approached by another charity to help, but I need a little time to weed my garden. I’ve been given some lovely gardening presents by volunteers and I’ve been given a lovely garden chair by WindReach with a little plaque on the back, which is very touching. I can sit on it and look at the garden I have to weed (laugh). I also still some animals of my own that I look after, so that will take time too.