Celebrating our History
We celebrated 30 years of service to the community in 2019, and the 10th anniversary of our pioneering partnership with the NHS in 2020. We’ve come a long way since we started back in 1989.
Take a look at our journey below.
2021
We get through the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to the support of a fantastic volunteer team looking after our ponies and the support of the community and our virtual fundraisers!
2020
We celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Children’s Therapeutic Riding Service, our pioneering partnership with NHS Lothian.
2019
We celebrate our 30th Anniversary!
2017
We now have over 220 volunteers and run 7 weekly riding sessions allowing 120 riders to benefit from Riding Therapy. We’ve come a long way.
2015
We celebrate our 25th Anniversary!
2014
We start holding yearly Horse Behavioural clinics for our ponies, sharers and pony handlers to ensure we know how to get the best from our ponies.
2014
Centred Riding workshops are held here and the organisers are also keen to return.
2013
The Association of Chartered Practitioners in Therapeutic Riding hold their European Conference here, and plan to come back!
2010
HRH The Princess Royal presents Long Service Awards to Gill Morrison, Susan Law, Shirley Duff, Pamela Roberston-Durham and our pony Kishmul.
2010
The Children’s Therapeutic Riding Service officially launches.
– After further mammoth fundraising, the new Extension is completed. It includes an improved Viewing Gallery for riders, parents and carers, with a coffee machine to enjoy while watching sessions; a Physiotherapy Room for our therapists to carry out assessments of new Riders and plan their Therapy; a meeting room used for training, fundraising and social events; and a secure Reception Area. The Extension was officially opened by Mary King MBE.
2009
MRT Group physiotherapist Heather Falconer, piloted a successful service between NHS Lothian and MRT. This pioneering partnership becomes the Children’s Therapeutic Riding Service, part of NHS Lothian’s Children’s Physiotherapy Service.
2003
Finally, we get a roof over our heads as the Indoor Arena is officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.
2002
Thanks to more major fundraising plus SportScotland and Lottery funding we manage to increase our total raised to almost £500,000 and building work begins on our Indoor Arena.
2000
John Anderson of John Anderson Butchers hears of our work and asks how he can help. Gill tells him we needed a roof over our heads. John adopts us as his Millennium Project and helps us raise £10,000.
– Susan Law takes over as Chairperson.
1996
Kishmul arrives. He was our longest serving pony, and he enjoyed a well deserved retirement thanks to Friends of Retired MRT Ponies. We’ve had many pony friends over the years.
1995
After much fundraising effort from our fantastic volunteers we raise enough to build our Outdoor School. But sessions often have to be cancelled due to bad weather.
1990
At first, there is just a Friday morning session in a muddy field. As word spreads we add a Tuesday morning.
1989
Gill and Garth decide on West Fenton. So, with a handful of friends, 4 borrowed ponies and 8 riders we move in. The Muirfield Group is officially born!
1989
Our journey begins with a few riders and borrowed ponies based at Appin Riding School, Drem. Gill and Garth Morrison spend months searching for a place to call our own.