There are many things people take for granted, tacking up and riding their horse is very often one of them. John Thompson & Sons Ltd recently discovered a small corner of Maghera where nothing is taken for granted. The Fort Riding Centre caters solely for disabled riders, where 7 four-legged heroes ensure that nearly 100 riders every year enjoy the pleasure of horse-riding that many of us take for granted.

Unfortunately, although the Fort can play a significant part in many disabled children and adults physical and mental development, it functions as a charity, and as such relies on donations. As many will know, feeding 7 horses is not a cheap venture, and when we discovered that Fort horses were big fans of Pegus Horse Feed, John Thompson & Sons Ltd & Pegasus (Ireland) Ltd knew that it was time that Santa made an early delivery. We are delighted to be supporting such a worthy cause, and since visiting the Fort, we know that the horse feed will be very much appreciated.

John Thompson & Sons Ltd would like to take this opportunity to thank John McCloskey and all the staff and visitors of Fort Riding Centre for making us very welcome and we wish you all a very Happy Christmas & Prosperous New Year.

For further information on Pegus Horse Feed contact Raymond Bready on;
028 9035 1321


The Fort Riding Centre - from Small Beginnings by John McCloskey

At a public meeting held in Moyola Lodge restaurant Castledawson in 1978 it was decided that a group of riding for the disabled should be formed in the area. At the same meeting it was proposed that the name of the new group should be ‘Fort’.

From small beginnings one pony a skewbald gelding named Matty borrowed on long term loan from the Glover family in Moneymore we made a start with six disabled children each child getting a short period of riding on Matty. It was not therapeutic riding as we know it today but we had made a start. Our arena was a field with high hedge that sheltered us to some extent from the elements.

It soon became clear that if we were to continue we needed indoor accommodation as disabled children, having poor mobility feel the cold more than able bodied. We were fortunate in finding indoor accommodation from Mr. John Payne of Desertmartin, Magherafelt.

As the numbers of disabled riders increased it soon became apparent that we needed our own premises. We were extremely fortunate in obtaining a small plot of land from the late Mr. Jack Quinn of Craigmore Road, Maghera. 

Using a 75% grant from the dept of Education combined with the committee at Fort raising the balance through extensive fund-raising our new centre was officially opened on May 15th 1982 by Mary Peters.

In 1996 we felt that we needed improvements on our original building and a 500sqm extension was added which included a centrally heated rest room, special toilet facilities, kitchen, office, tack room, store and specially designed mounting ramps together with a spectator viewing area.

These improvements were kindly funded by National Lottery and Magherafelt area partnership. The centre stands on approx 1˝ acres of land with the stable block at the rear of the building a car park at the front provides ample parking.

From very small beginnings with Matty to our purpose built therapeutic riding centre. As far as the writer is aware Fort is the only purpose built therapeutic riding centre in Northern Ireland catering exclusively for disabled riders.

Riders come to Fort centre’s evening riding sessions from as far a field as Belfast, Ballymena, Dungannon, and Cookstown with the young riders from Kilronan school Magherafelt enjoying their riding sessions on Thursday mornings.

For further information on Fort Riding Centre, or how you can help, please contact 
John McCloskey on; 028 7964 4280