Words from Wendy Bott

Riding for the Disabled Association and Iris

Iris thankfully responded very positively to my call when I asked her to form a local group. We were to take twelve physically handicapped children from a special school. This meant finding thirty or so “Helpers” for this new Waffrons group.

Iris was a real pioneer—helping from the very first morning and continuing so steadfastly for fourteen years; At other stables too when we were forced to move.

Iris was allocated Santa to lead, as she had dealt with pony in the past. This good looking pony proved to be a stroppy teenage animal who would try to be difficult if he could. He had however met his match with Iris. Every week she would check that his tack was correct, talked to him and avoided his occasional nips, He performed excellently for the children with Iris at his head –not so with any substitute leader.

Iris and Hilary arrive every week to walk, run, zigzag round road cones, play games and encourage “their” severely disabled riders. These children were high up in the world, looking over hedges when outside and away from their wheelchairs for an hour on Wednesday mornings. “The look of delight and excitement when they achieved something was our reward”, Iris would say.

Helping with an R.D.A. group is hard work, sometimes monotonous and the British weather exacts its toll. When the temperature is just above freezing and the wind hits your cheeks whilst you are running round the “school” (an ex chicken shed), there are more comfortable things to do in life. Summer has its hazards too ---a sun scorched outdoor school sends sand and dust flying everywhere, parching you.

Voluntary helpers are therefore very special people. They made our Waffrons Group extremely successful because like Iris they were committed regular attenders and a totally reliable band of local friends.

A classic memory from the Waffrons Group: Grade 3 test day was truly important. Waffrons was the first group in Greater London to enter children. The examiner arrived. The weather was freezing, everyone a little on edge. Thankfully all the tests were correctly performed. Santa became bold with the occasion and ate the fringe off Iris's beautiful vicuna poncho---She flinched not but when her rider, Anthony, received his certificate, he beamed:” To-day was the best for me but Iris lost her fringe!” Huge laughter throughout the group.

Such was Iris’s dedication. She was always there for Santa, his successors and her riders whose lives she enriched every Wednesday and who will never forget her.