Princess Anne has chosen to come to Herefordshire for the 20th anniversary of the county’s Riding for the Disabled group which she launched.
She will also announce details of a £1million-plus project to change the name locally to Rideability and move to a bigger centre.
Herefordshire chairman Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes told the Journal: “We share our Holme Lacy indoor arena with Herefordshire College of Technology and have a waiting list of people wanting to ride.
“Our latest mission is to attract excluded pupils and people facing mental health problems to work with horses.
“The effects can be dramatic. Contact with horses is so positive and gives a real highlight to the week. You can see peoples’ eyes light up as they arrive at the centre.”
Three children are expected to be on a pony called Pebbles when they present the Princess with a posy.
Six hundred invitations are going out to supporters and auction is also planned for the visit on the evening of Monday, September 13.
Marcelle added: “We will have a change of name but remain affiliated to Riding for the Disabled.
“We have a very active board of trustees and around 80 volunteers. We are bursting at the seams and also offer driving instruction. We even train people for NVQs.
“We are delighted that the Princess has decided to return to us in Herefordshire and it should be a marvellous day. This is our big chance to expand – we know we can.”
Among those who will be meeting the Princess Royal will be centre manager Janet Alderton.
The centre is one of 20 purpose-built centres in the UK.
The charity currently has12 horses and ponies.
Along with the voluntary helpers,there are two instructors and a physiotherapist.
PICTURE: Joe Symonds, Lydia Freeman-Brewer and Emma Price prepare to meet the Princess Royal. They are all four and ride at the centre every week