The Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association (VTRA) is preparing for a royal visitor next month.
Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence will visit the riding facility on May 5, 2024.
The VTRA is a non-profit charitable organization that uses horseback riding as a therapeutic aid for children and adults of diverse abilities throughout Greater Victoria.
Staff, volunteers, and students at the facility will share highlights and successes of their programs with
the princess.
Some lucky riders will also have an opportunity to demonstrate how VTRA has supported them.
Board Chair, Annie Brothwell, who has been with the VTRA for 12 years, says they are grateful Princess Anne has chosen to visit them.
“I see the smiles, the joy, the calm within the riders and their families and I just want to be able to share this with the world,” says Brothwell.
“Her Royal Highness is a keen and successful equestrian, and she understands the connection between the rider and the horse.”
VTRA Acting Executive Director Liz Gagel says it’ll be an honour to welcome The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence.
“She is such an accomplished equestrian and an advocate for therapeutic riding and the people we serve. Their visit brings awareness to the great work VTRA, and other programs like ours, do for our community."
Princess Anne competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as a member of the British equestrian team, and is a British member of the International Olympic Committee.
According to the Royal Family, she is involved in more than 300 charities, organizations and military regiments in the UK and overseas, and “she devotes a large part of her working life to official engagements and visits.”
Anne is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and sister to King Charles III.
