The Brae
In 2000 The Brae came into being through a need identified by instructors and physiotherapists from the two riding for the disabled groups serving Dundee, Dundee RDA and Kingspark School RDA. They realised that only a tiny fraction of the disabled people in Dundee who could benefit from riding or carriage driving within a specialist RDA setting were able to access the service.
Following intense discussions with Dundee City council, Dundee College and Tayside Primary Care Trust the Brae Partnership, a company limited by guarantee and recognised as a charity was formed to take forward the development of a purpose built riding centre. A feasibility study was carried out, followed by a business plan for the new development.
The Riding Centre
The centre has an indoor school built to British Show Jumping Standards including a viewing area. Both outdoor and indoor arenas, which have specialised surfaces, are suitable for riding and carriage driving. The centre offers the following facilities:
- changing rooms
- kitchen facilities
- physiotherapy room
- meeting room/warm room
- tack and feed rooms
- stables.
The location of the site is by Linlathen Nursing Home, just past the retail park on the Carnoustie/ Arbroath road, postcode DD5 3GL.
The purpose of the centre is:
- To build a suitably equipped riding school to meet the needs of a wide range of disabilities
- To allow adults and young people the opportunity to ride or be carriage driven at the level of their ability, choice and ambition
- To create a Scottish centre of excellence where instructors, physiotherapists and helpers are given specialised training in working with disabled riders
- To enable professionals such as physiotherapists a means of promoting, within their sector or organisation that riding is a valuable mechanism for improving the quality of life for disabled people of all ages and levels
- To allow riders and drivers the opportunity to compete at local and national competitions (Riding for The Disabled Association and Special Olympics)
- To provide physiotherapy to all riders and drivers who would benefit from it
- To develop into a facility for research, for example to develop the use of hippo therapy
- To develop a training centre in equestrian subjects