As a child, Rachel’s pony Miskish helped her through the darkest of days when her mother was ill. Thirty years later after a successful career in the city of London, she founded Ride High in 2008 to transform the lives of disadvantaged children in Milton Keynes. She developed a long-term programme and fixed term programmes which used horses as a vehicle to connect with the most disengaged children and associated educational projects to develop their social, communication and literacy skills.
During her eleven years as CEO of Ride High, the charity went from strength to strength. Where it had started with just six children, Rachel grew this to 88 children every week. She also led the start-up of the Ride High equestrian Centre – a forever home for the charity and a riding school from which the profits go towards supporting
In 2016 Rachel received an MBE for her services to children. In 2020 Rachel handed over the reins to Olivia Sugdon, but remains a Patron of Ride High.
Sue Jameson is an actress and author, best known for her television work. Early in her career her roles included Myra Booth in Coronation Street, Kate in ‘Take Three Girls’ and Jessie Seaton in ‘When the Boat Comes In’. She has acted with her husband James Bolam in several series, including an early episode of The Likely Lads as well as When The Boat Comes In, New Tricks, Grandpa in My Pocket and an ITV legal drama entitled Close and True (screened in 2000), which also starred Robson Green. She has also appeared in TV dramas Casualty and Mid-summer murders.
Sue is also the author of ‘Pony Tails’ published by ‘Forelock Books’ and this is in fact how she first became involved with Ride High.
Amanda had her first riding lesson at 6yrs old and from the moment she climbed aboard that fluffy white stead she was smitten. From that day on she rode regularly, saving up all her shiny gold coins until she could afford to purchase a four-legged beast of her very own.
Her competitive career kicked off in the show ring but her heart always belonged galloping flat out across country & soaring over natural fences. Over the years she had a few near misses; a nasty rotational fall caused significant damage to her spine resulting in months of rehabilitation, but this never deterred her and she was back hurtling over ditches and hedges the minute she was able.
In 2012 Amanda was diagnosed with Dystonia, an incurable neurological movement disorder. Her legs, arms, and neck are affected, as is her balance, co-ordination and motor skills. As the disease progresses her body is a lot less obliging than it used to be, getting back in the saddle and regaining her balance is something she’s had to work hard at.
Most people in her position would be content at just being able to ride, but for Amanda it’s not enough, she missed the electrifying buzz and nervous energy of a competition arena. Amanda refused to give in; embraced her disability and is now the highest ranked British Grade 3 rider in the world! Amanda is now focused on giving everything she’s got to get selected to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in Tokyo 2020.
Amanda said “I am proud to have been asked to be a patron of Ride High. Ride High is a truly inspirational charity and it is wonderful to see how our equestrian friends enrich the lives of vulnerable children as they do my own life. I am looking forward to supporting Ride High and to supporting the Ride High Equestrian Centre in making horse riding more accessible in the future”.
