The BBC’s Fiona Lamdin returned to Teddington on New Year’s Day to capture the moment when Natalie explained to family and volunteers that she’d had a letter from the Queen…

Life’s journeys are often described as rollercoasters, but Natalie’s 2021 redefines the term. On the day that she is awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list we look back at a tumultuous year.

On 16 December 2021 we became the proud owners of the Park Lane site in Teddington.

It’s been a long journey but our sights were always set on achieving our goal, and everyone who has encouraged us along the way has helped sustain us more than you’ll ever know.

Teddington Christmas Lights Up 2021 takes over the middle of the town on Thursday 25 November, and we’re looking forward to being in the centre of things once again.

The Birt Spooner award is given by the Riding for the Disabled Association board to someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the work of the RDA. This year that award has come close to home.

Earlier this year, with fundraising in full swing, we were telling everyone we could think of about our campaign. And Caitlin Limmer from the Park Lane team decided to aim high – by writing to Her Majesty the Queen.

Caitlin takes up the story…

We have agreed a price, the funds are with our solicitor, and we are raring to go. Our legal team are working to resolve several technical issues beyond our control before we can exchange.

Earlier this year we reminded ourselves: ‘Don’t fear the storm for the rainbow is never far behind’. That rainbow just got closer.

The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards ceremony in London was an evening to restore your belief in the goodness of humanity, hearing inspirational acts of bravery and compassion from the last year. Definitely emotional, but uplifting too. And somehow, we were finalists in the Best Health Charity category…

The Sun’s annual awards were set up in 2017 to celebrate and thank the NHS and healthcare heroes, and we’re a little stunned to find ourselves not only nominated, but finalists in the Best Charity category.

We now have some capacity for new riders to join us…

Last week when I was asked how Pony Club Camp was going, this was the first thing that came to mind. These annual events are a special opportunity for our young participants to leave their cares at the gate, learn new skills and have a lot of fun together. I’ll never get over the pleasure of seeing the magic of horses at work.

Once you’re touched by the magic of horses, it never leaves you. For Pamela Binns it’s lasted 80 years so far. Here she shares a story that started with Pippin in 1941 and continues now with Marcus at Park Lane Stables, 8 decades later.

Most people who know us are aware of our work with Riding for the Disabled, but we also do outreach within the local community, visiting schools, care homes and hospitals. And sometimes we host visits.

This week we welcomed 57 pupils from Richmond upon Thames secondary school in Twickenham.

Our current neighbours are Ham Polo Club, so we get to watch the skills of the ponies and riders on the polo field next door. It’s physically demanding, so the career of a polo pony is short before they earn a quieter life in retirement.

So many people have asked us what our temporary home in Petersham is like, just two miles up the road from Teddington. Now, with a bit of help from Teddington Nub News, we can show you.

Buying a home is often fraught with setbacks, and although we piled our energy into trying to secure Park Lane Stables it became clear that we couldn’t do so by the 31 May deadline and would have to leave.

It’s not every day 14 hand ponies make it into the pages of Horse & Hound, but there’s never been a more deserving case than this special little man. Read the story of how he and Natalie met.

Sadly we have no choice but to find a new location after months of negotiation with the landlord has failed to secure the purchase of our beloved home in Teddington.

If you visit us, the chances are you’ll meet Rebekah, who might be doing anything from mucking out horses to preparing for an RDA coaching session.

Our latest addition to the team, Polly the Shetland pony arrived one afternoon in her own miniature horsebox to great excitement.