TEENAGERS from a Dorset riding school have been praised for fundraising to replace stolen saddles used by a group of profoundly disabled people.

Thieves gained access to a padlocked tack room at Stocks Farm Equestrian Centre in West Parley and stole 10 saddles worth £5,000.

The specialist saddles were used by many local children and adults, as well as a group of disabled adults from the Riding for Disabled Association.

Teenagers Aftab Pathan and Saffron Tanner were so upset by the incident they organised a series of fundraising events including a barbecue, quiz night and a jumping competition – raising a fantastic £1,000.

Castlepoint’s general manager Peter Matthews, who is an active member of the riding school, also allowed the youngsters to collect at the shopping park. Stocks farm proprietor Leesa Cuesta said: “Thanks to the effort of Aftab and Saffron we can arrange to have the horses now fitted with replacement saddles to support the disabled riding group. “ And Peter Matthews added: “Teenagers often get a bad press but this proves that the vast majority of youngsters have a heart of gold.”

Police are investigating the incident, which happened over the weekend of Saturday March 24 and Sunday March 25. The theft was the second time the RDA had been targeted by burglars. In February specialist sheepskin therapy saddles worth £1,200 were stolen from their Southfield Riding Group in Longham.