Save Our Arena

Aim

To refurbish our indoor arena, creating a safe, year-round space for riding, learning, and community wellbeing.

We’re asking for your help to save the arena. Funding a new surface will allow us to service our community and delivering inclusive programmes that change lives year-round, . Every donation helps us secure this community facility for those who depend on it. There are very few public, community facilities of this type still open in the Cumbria area. 

Thanks to Sport England, a grant of £7,500 has been pledged towards the project, but only if Harness Change can raise a further £7,500 through crowdfunding.

At Cumbria Rural Academy CIC, we’ve seen first-hand how horses change lives. Our qualified coaches work with school children, families, disabled riders, and  adults, offering everything from riding lessons to equine-assisted therapy.

Our community is at the heart of everything we do. Our indoor arena has hosted thousands of sessions – including 3,600 sessions for disabled riders as well as our Pony Club activities, community services and alternative education programmes. 

The arena surface is now reaching the end of its useable life. Within a year, it will be unsafe, and without it, many of our sessions will have to stop.

How We’ll Use the Funds & Our Next Steps

Every pound raised will go directly towards the refurbishment of our indoor arena surface. This essential upgrade will make the arena safe, accessible, and fit for purpose for years to come.

Your support will allow us to:

• Replace the worn surface with a modern, durable sports surface suitable for multiple activities for all ages and abilities.
• Create a safe, enclosed space for disabled riders, SEN students, and vulnerable groups who rely on the stability and quiet of the indoor arena.
• Ensure that our Pony Club, Riding Club, and education programmes can continue running year-round, even in poor weather.
• This will allow us to expand new partnerships with local schools, charities, and employment groups, offering equine coaching, life skills, and therapy programmes in a safe, all weather environment.

Once the new surface is installed, our next steps include:

• Launching new equine facilitated coaching programmes in partnership with charities, focusing on wellbeing, confidence, and work-ready skills.
• Expanding access for young people in residential and foster care, giving them positive outlets and structured opportunities.
• Growing our community riding and therapy sessions, making horse riding more affordable and accessible to families who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance.

This refurbishment isn’t just about fixing a surface – it’s about securing the future of a community space where over 6,000 riders and participants a year can continue to learn, grow, and thrive.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made