Latest Riding A Dream Academy students graduate

The second-year of students from the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship have graduated from the Riding A Dream Academy

The eight students who attended Riding A Dream Academy’s 2022/23 course have successfully graduated and are looking forward to their next career steps. The students attended the academy’s flagship course funded by the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship.

One of this year’s graduates is already working in the equine industry, while another is currently on work experience at a top jumping yard.

Set up to support young people aged 13–18 from diverse ethnic communities and disadvantaged backgrounds, the Riding A Dream Academy was inspired by Khadijah Mellah who was the first British Muslim woman to ride in and win a British horserace!

Students taking part in the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship take a week’s residential course at the school and then attend once a month at the weekend to continue learning how to ride racehorses and more about the sport. This is done alongside going to regular school during the week, too – the dream!

So far, 64% of the scholarship students from 2021/22 and 2022/23 have gone on to work in the racing industry, complete the British Racing School’s Foundation Course or undertake work experience in the sport.

Uwitonze, one of the students from Urban Equestrian Academy in Leicester, said, “In the future, I would like to be a jump jockey because of the rush and the buzz and be more like my idol, Rachael Blackmore. My trainers at my original yard can see the big improvement I’ve made and I’m now supporting other youngers to help get them into the racing industry as well.”

For more information, visit ridingadreamacademy.com