THE Unicorn Centre in Hemlington was yesterday given the Royal seal of approval.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, spent the day on Teesside. She visited The National Museum Of The Royal Navy in Hartlepool as well as the The Meadowgate Intermediate Care Centre in Eston, before arriving at the Unicorn Centre.

The Princess Royal is president of the Riding for the Disabled Association and opened the Paul Conway Therapy Room and the new riding simulator, Blackberry.

Paul Conway rode at the centre for many years and the room is named in his memory after he passed away in 2018.

Blackberry allows riders to develop and enhance their skills indoors and The Princess Royal was given a demonstration by Olivia Fairclough.

She also watched a series of riding displays, while also handing out awards and rosettes.

Julie Elphee, a trustee of the centre, smiled: “This is the culmination of four years of fund-raising to get the project completed and it’s 12 years since we last had a Royal visit.

“She is the President of the RDA, came and opened the centre in 1988 – she’s not a regular but I would like to think she knows her way around!

“Raising the funds for the project has been tough, but we have had some marvellous funders on board, including the People’s Postcode Lottery and Sport England, as well as local efforts.

“This is a very proud day for us and we hope Blackberry will provide us with a service for our existing riders and hopefully attract new riders too.

“People who may not be able to ride on a real horse, could be able to use this and ride. We also hope to use is as a fund-raising tool, sponsored events and the like.

“We have had a big response from people wanting to use him – we will be hiring him out and I believe it’s the only facility in the area.

“Technically Blackberry is highly-advanced, riders can choose a dressage test, ride on the beach, on sand, and it gives you feedback on stance, technique, balance.’’

She added: “It cost around £54,000 and add on the cost of building work as well and it was £65,000.

“This is the biggest project undertaken in recent years by far.

“Having a Royal visit is a big coup, we want to show off what we are all about and how we have developed since here last visit.''

Her Royal Highness watched ridden and lead displays by participants and volunteers in the indoor arena and handed out rosettes. She also presented Rebecca Aston with the Centre’s Inspirational Rider Award.

After watching a display on Blackberry by Olivia Fairclough and meeting some of centre’s diploma learners and horses Duke and Alby, Her Royal Highness met donors of funds for the project, long-term riders and volunteers and Friends of the Unicorn Centre, before departing with a bouquet presented by Helen Bristow, escorted by three-year-old Joshua Pitt.

In Eston, HRH opened the new £5 million centre designed to help people recover and regain their independence after a hospital stay and prevent hospital admissions.