MEMBERS of an RAF riding club are riding high after being named Saddle Club of the Year by the air force.

RAF Leeming Saddle Club have been given the title at the first awards dinner of the RAF Equitation Association, just over a year since being re-established from scratch.

The club’s members were thrilled to receive the award which recognised its growth to more than 50 members with weekly lessons for riders of all ages and abilities, and the opportunity to compete at service level.

The success was achieved thanks to a dedicated committee led by Squadron Leader Liz Dawson, who relaunched the club when she arrived at RAF Leeming in 2015.

She said: “There was a Saddle Club at RAF Leeming many years ago so I asked if I could start up a new one, and managed to get funding from various sources.”

Response to the Saddle Club was enthusiastic from the start, with Northallerton Equestrian Centre offering discounted lessons for the children of dependents. There has also been the chance to complete courses in equine first aid and rider road safety.