Me, mum and my little sister

My name is George Fripp and I’m four years old. I live in Corfe Mullen with my mum, dad and little sister. I was born with Spina Bifida, which makes getting around a little difficult sometimes. Mum says that soon I’ll be too big to be carried everywhere, so I’m trying to improve my upper body strength so that I can learn to walk with the aid of leg callipers and a walking frame. Hopefully that’ll give me more independence when I start first school in September.

Walk on!

I’ve been horse riding with the Riding for the Disabled Association group in Corfe Mullen for the past 7 months, and have loved every minute of it. The helpers at the stables are really kind and make it easy for me to get onto the ponies. They tell me what to do and what all the equipment is called, and they also keep telling me to keep my back nice and straight when I’m riding, which I try very hard to do. They walk beside me when I’m riding and are there ready to catch me if I wobble.

Riding my favourite pony Zena

I don’t get the opportunity to take part in many outdoor activities, so it’s brilliant to be in the fresh air with the ponies. My favourite pony is Zena - she is big and white, and has a gentle personality. Riding her is really good fun, and it makes me feel great being high up on her back, where I get to be taller than everybody else! Horse riding has been good for me too, as it has improved my muscle tone, particularly in my trunk. I’m totally exhausted by the end of the session, but I can’t wait for next week to come around, so that I can go riding again!