Ride High

What Ride High does

Ride High is a UK registered charity (no. 1138260) and company limited by guarantee (no. 7363597), founded in 2008 in Milton Keynes by Rachel Medill MBE. It delivers a structured equine-assisted learning programme for vulnerable and disadvantaged children aged 8-17, combining weekly horse riding, horse care, and clubroom-based educational activities led by qualified teachers over a 3-12 month duration. Children are accessed exclusively through professional referrals from schools, local authorities, NHS, CAMHS, Young Carers MK and other agencies, and receive the service free of charge together with transport and meals. The charity reports supporting 374 children in 2025 (around 120 attending weekly) and discloses outcomes including universal increases in physical activity, over half improving school attendance, 95% of children feeling able to talk about worries, and 97% looking forward to attending.

The organisation operates a hybrid charitable and trading model. Its core charitable programme is delivered from the Ride High Equestrian Centre, a wholly owned site that simultaneously functions as a public riding school offering lessons, liveries, school holiday activities and hacking, with all trading profits hypothecated to the charitable mission. A second trading name, Aim High UK, was launched in 2025 as an alternative education provision enabling young people to gain qualifications and life skills. Ride High is entirely self-funded, with no government income, raising over £450,000 annually across individual donations (including a monthly GEMS programme processed via Enthuse with Gift Aid), corporate partnerships (Charity of the Year, CSR days, event sponsorship), grant funding from more than 20 charitable foundations (anchored by a National Lottery Community Fund grant of over £385,000 over three years and a renewed three-year award in 2026), fundraising events, legacies via Tollers Solicitors and Beyond, and the Equestrian Centre surplus.

Forward strategy is centred on geographic and programmatic expansion. In May 2026 Ride High submitted plans, in partnership with Grosvenor's Eaton Estate, for a second UK centre at Cotton Edmunds Farm in Waverton, Cheshire, sized to support up to 120 children weekly and described as the charity's first move outside Milton Keynes. Leadership transitioned in 2020 when founder Rachel Medill MBE handed the CEO role to Olivia Sugdon; Rachel continues as Patron. The charity is small (1-10 staff) and is governed by a Board of Trustees, with sub-brands Ride High Equestrian Centre and Aim High UK trading under a wholly owned subsidiary, PegasusforRideHigh Limited.

Name

Ride High

Legal name

Ride High Limited

Website

https://ridehigh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ride High is a UK registered charity that delivers equine-assisted learning programmes for vulnerable children aged 8-17 in Milton Keynes, supported by donations, grants, a public riding school and an alternative education provision. It served 374 children in 2025 and is expanding to a second UK site in Cheshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Charity Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers (THAAAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted learning
• Youth charity services
• Therapeutic horse riding
• Vulnerable children support
• Charitable youth programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Loughton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals, including monthly GEMS (Giving Every Month) programme. Donations can be made online via Enthuse platform, by cheque, or bank transfer. Gift Aid scheme increases donation value by 25%
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses including Charity of the Year programmes, CSR volunteer days, event sponsorship, and corporate donations. Companies receive profile, recognition, brand impact, staff engagement, and media exposure benefits
3. Grant Funding: Funding from charitable foundations and grantmakers including National Lottery Community Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Henry Smith Charity, and numerous other grant funders
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from organized events including charity balls, golf days, skydives, cycling festivals, football tournaments, MK Marathon participation, and various challenge events. Event costs are typically covered by participants with sponsorship raised for the charity
5. Legacy Legacies: Bequests and gifts left in wills. Partners with Tollers Solicitors for discounted will-writing services and Beyond for free online will-writing. Three types of gifts: residuary, pecuniary, and specific gifts
6. Trading Subsidiary Revenue: The Ride High Equestrian Centre operates as a riding school open to the public, offering riding lessons, liveries, school holiday activities and hacking. All profits from the riding school support the charitable work of Ride High

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Ride High is a registered charity delivering a structured equine-assisted learning programme for vulnerable children aged 8-17. Each child attends weekly two-hour sessions over 3-12 months combining horse riding, horse care, and educational clubroom activities led by qualified teachers. The charity is entirely self-funded through donations, corporate partnerships, grants, and fundraising events, and also operates a public riding school whose profits support the charitable work.

Product overview

Ride High is a charitable organization offering a single integrated programme for vulnerable and disadvantaged children, not a technology platform. The core product is an equestrian-assisted learning programme combining horse riding, horse care, and educational activities delivered through the Ride High Equestrian Centre. The programme is augmented by the Aim High UK alternative education provision, Hobby the Horse school programme, Youth Panel for alumni engagement, Community Sensory Garden, and supporting services including free transportation and professional referral pathways. All programmes are designed to build confidence, life skills, and mental wellbeing in children aged 8-17.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Charitable Programme A free, structured learning programme for vulnerable children aged 8-17 combining horse riding, horse care, and educational clubroom projects. Children attend weekly two-hour sessions for 3-12 months, developing confidence, life skills, and positive mental wellbeing through interactions with horses. Referred by schools, local authorities, NHS, CAMHS and other agencies.
• Ride High Equestrian Centre A public riding school offering paid riding lessons, livery services, school holiday activities, and hacking. Operated as a trading subsidiary (PegasusforRideHigh Limited) with all profits supporting the charitable work of Ride High.
• Aim High UK Alternative education provision (AEP) launched at the Ride High Equestrian Centre that supports young people to gain qualifications and develop life skills. Operated as a trading name of PegasusforRideHigh Limited.
• Hobby the Horse Schools Programme An educational programme for schools where children learn about horses through a fun curriculum, building confidence and responsibility before potentially joining the full Ride High programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every child who joined Ride High increased their physical activity
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grosvenor's Eaton EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Working in partnership to develop what will become Cheshire's first Ride High centre at Cotton Edmunds Farm in Waverton. The development will transform disused buildings into state-of-the-art facilities including indoor and outdoor arenas, stables, paddocks, classrooms and office space. This represents Ride High's first expansion beyond Milton Keynes.
• Austin & CarnleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing support to the charity
• Bailey MKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor (Ride MK Cycling Festival)
• Brioche PasquierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor (Ride MK Cycling Festival)
• CawleysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing environmental services (removes and composts horse manure)
• PragmatiqcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChosen as Charity of the Year 2024. Microsoft Solutions Partner specialising in Bespoke Customer services. Provides CSR programme, staff engagement, and fundraising support.
• SISminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor (Ride MK Cycling Festival)
• Cranswick Convenience FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and event sponsor (Ride MK Cycling Festival)
• EMW LawcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMade Ride High their Charity of the Year 2022 to mark their 30-year anniversary
• RB EquestrianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing prizes for Gather and Graze for Good campaign
• Kate Everall PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing prizes for Gather and Graze for Good campaign
• Trek Milton KeynesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Ride MK Cycling Festival
• Santander Cycles MKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing e-bike options at the Ride MK Cycling Festival
• SEAT CUPRA at Volkswagen Milton KeynesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteers for CSR days supporting Ride MK event preparation
• DoTERRAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteers for CSR days supporting Ride MK event preparation
• Plexus CreativesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital partner providing website design services (donated)
• Tollers SolicitorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for will-writing services, offering £50 discount on will-writing services for Ride High supporters. Single will £175+VAT, double will £310+VAT. Free initial consultation and will storage included.
• BeyondminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOnline will-writing partner offering free will-writing service to Ride High supporters (rated best online will service by Times Money Mentor and Fairer Finance, 5-star on Trustpilot)

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA): UK's leading equine-assisted therapy charity, providing riding and carriage-driving activities for disabled children and adults. Directly comparable mission, referral model, and equine-assisted outcomes framework to Ride High.
• HorseWorld: Bristol-based equine welfare charity that rescues and rehabilitates horses and uses equine interaction in therapeutic youth programmes. Comparable mix of equine welfare, youth intervention, and charitable fundraising.
• Mane Chance Sanctuary: Surrey-based charity combining horse rescue with equine-assisted programmes for vulnerable young people referred via schools and social services. Closely comparable operating model — referral-led, equine-centred therapeutic youth work.

Broad incumbents

• The Brooke: International equine welfare charity with UK fundraising base. Comparable as a large equine charity competing for individual donors and grant funding, though focused on working equines in developing countries.
• Blue Cross: UK pet charity combining animal welfare with pet bereavement support and education. Comparable as a UK animal charity competing for similar individual donors and corporate partnerships, though broader in species.
• World Horse Welfare: Large UK equine welfare charity with international reach, combining rescue, campaigning, and education. Comparable in scale and funding profile but focuses on welfare rather than child intervention.
• The Horse Trust: One of the UK's oldest equine welfare charities. Operates a broader welfare and education remit rather than therapeutic youth programmes, but is comparable as an established equine charity competing for grant and donor funding.
• The Donkey Sanctuary: Major UK-based equine charity focused on donkey welfare globally. Comparable as an established equine charity brand with significant UK fundraising presence and corporate partnership programmes.
• British Horse Society: UK equestrian membership organisation with a strong welfare, access, and education remit. Comparable as an established equestrian brand but membership-led rather than youth-intervention focused.

Emerging players

• The Pony Club: UK youth equestrian organisation teaching children horsemanship and riding. Adjacent to Ride High's mission in engaging children with horses, though focused on skills and competition rather than therapeutic intervention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RideHighMK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJ5viZ609TQGcgpozWfcTxg
• Facebookfacebook.com/RideHighMK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ride-high-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ride High