Giddy Up for Good Easter Event Day

Join us on Tuesday, 15th April at our Giddy Up for Good Easter Event! A fun event for all the family at the Cotswold Riding for the Disabled (RDA), at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse. WellChild Families from the local area are invited to join us for a fun filled day of riding, grooming and much more!

WellChild families are invited to apply for our Giddy Up for Good Easter Event Day! Taking part in mounted riding lessons, unmounted pony experiences, crafting activities, an Easter Egg hunt, have a go on a mechanical horse and more, all at the Cotswold Riding based at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Join us and benefit from the amazing therapeutic support that comes from being around ponies whilst having fun together as a family. Providing children and young people with a great sense of achievement and boosting their confidence.

When: Tuesday, 15th April 10.45am-3.30pm

Where: Cotswold RDA, Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH

Activities: Mounted and unmounted pony sessions, crafting fun, refreshments, Easter Egg hunt and more!

Bookable Mounted & Unmounted session schedule for the day

Please book all sessions using the form below

10:30 – First Mounted Riding Session
11:15 – Second Mounted Riding Session – 1 space available for 1 child
13:00 – Unmounted Session
14:00 – Third Mounted Riding Session – Fully Booked
14:45 – Unmounted Session

Unmounted sessions mean participants do not ride but will meet a pony either on foot or in a wheelchair, to groom and cuddle with a pony from the ground. If you are booked on to a mounted session you are also welcome to take part in the unmounted sessions on the day too if there is space. If you are only doing an unmounted session, please make sure you book this below as we will need to give the number of participants to the RDA in advance. Should we become oversubscribed for the number of participants wishing to take part in the unmounted sessions, priority will be given to those booked on to an unmounted session.

Please Note: There are physical requirements for children who would like a mounted riding lesson, but our unmounted sessions are open to all abilities.

We are excited to announce that the amazing Captain Fantastic will be joining us at WellChild’s Giddy up for Good event. Providing brilliant children’s entertainment for all ages to enjoy from magic tricks, dancing, games and more.

Captain Fantastic’s parties are incredibly popular across the UK and WellChild’s Giddy up for Good Easter Event will include a free 2 hour show; don’t miss out and book your unmounted/mounted pony session below to attend the day which also includes entertainment from Captain Fantastic, an Easter egg hunt, Easter crafts and fun for all the family.

  • A riding hat must be worn throughout the mounted sessions. Children need to be able to wear a riding hat with a minimum head circumference of 49cm. The RDA do have access to 1 hat that can fit a head circumference of between 45cm-49cm but only 1 is available per session. If your child needs this hat, please get in touch with the Families Team to book it at [email protected]
  • Max. Height:   5ft 8inches (1.8m) maximum.
  • Max. Weight:  12 stone (76 kgs) maximum.  This includes the weight of the riding hat and clothes.
  • Min. Age: 4 years old minimum.
  • Parents, guardians and any child not riding must remain in the viewing area whilst riding sessions take place.
  • Parents/guardians will need to be present during the sessions at all times.
  • A riding hat must be worn throughout the mounted sessions. Children need to be able to wear a riding hat with a minimum head circumference of 49cm. The RDA do have access to 1 hat that can fit a head circumference of between 45cm-49cm but only 1 is available per session. If your child needs this hat, please get in touch with the Families Team to book it at [email protected]
  • Parent, guardians and siblings will be able to enter the arena for the unmounted sessions too.
  • Parents/guardians will need to be present during the sessions at all times.

Giddy up for Good Easter Event Day 2025 Terms and Conditions

Please read the following Terms & Conditions carefully:

1. If for any reason you or a member of your family is unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible, as we may be able to offer your place to another family wishing to attend.

2. All children and young people attending a Giddy up for Good mounted or unmounted session must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Accompanying parents/guardians must always remain behind the barriers (unless invited into the event ring by Cotswold Riding for the Disabled staff/volunteers)

3. Children and young people participating in a Giddy up for Good session must meet the Cotswold Riding for the Disabled (RDA) physical requirements and age restrictions to participate.

3. All participants attend the sessions entirely at their own risk and the organisers shall not be liable for any injury or loss that participants suffer as a result of taking part in the session, except where an injury or loss results from the negligence or omissions of the organisers.

4. Itineraries, schedule and other arrangement changes may occur, which are beyond the control of WellChild or the Cotswold RDA.

5. During the course of the Giddy up for Good session you must fully comply with the instructions of the organisers, safety teams, guides, emergency services and/volunteers.

8. The organisers may, at its sole discretion, withdraw places on the sessions if it is believed to be in its own best interest to do so. The organisers reserve the right to amend/cancel sessions should it be deemed necessary for any reasons outside of its control, for example inclement weather or windy conditions that are too risky to allow riding to take place.

9. The organisers of the unmounted and mounted sessions are: Cotswold RDA. A riding school licensed by Tewkesbury Borough Council. License number 19/01024/ANIMB1. License holder Deborah Powell. WellChild is responsible for payment of the sessions and other activities being held on the day such as but not limited to the craft sessions, refreshments, Easter Egg Hunt, promoting sessions and booking places for our beneficiaries.

10. All participants must complete a Cotswold RDA’s Rider Application Form to participate. WellChild will provide participants with this form and will share the completed form, including the information it contains, with the Cotswold RDA for the purposes of participating in sessions only. For details on how the Cotswold RDA store your information please read their privacy policy here.

10. If your personal details (address, contact number etc.) change after you have submitted your Rider Application Form, you must notify us immediately. All personal information will be held securely, please note where necessary conditions and ages of children will be shared with the event organisers, so the necessary equipment and ponies are available.

11. By participating in the Giddy up for Good sessions you agree to the terms and conditions above and the following disclaimer ‘I declare I will abide by the physical and age limits set for Giddy up for Good, and will abide by the Giddy up for Good code of conduct, all rules and instructions. I declare that my child(ren) participate in the sessions at our own risk. I accept that the organisers, sponsors, partners, volunteers will not be liable for any loss, damage, action, claim, costs or expenses, which may arise in consequence of my participation, unless caused by their negligence or omission.

Spaces are very limited so book early. Parents/guardians will need to be present during the sessions at all times.

If we are oversubscribed, families who have not been before or are from the local area will be prioritised.

Please note sign ups for this event have now closed – If you have any questions, please contact the team at [email protected]