The Princess Royal opens Greenwich Horticulture and Equestrian Skills Centre

Princess Anne took the trip to Shooter's Hill to open part of the borough’s new Horticulture and Equestrian Skills Centre.

The centre provides courses and training in a facility, boasting state of the art equine rehabilitation, therapy facilities and offering new vocational and higher education programmes in equine care.

Greenwich's royal guest was taken on a tour of the centre where she viewed teaching sessions, saw students undertake a drill ride to music in the outdoor ménage, and was shown a spa area for horses and an exercise pool.

The centre has been set up by Greenwich Council and is run in partnership with Kent's Hadlow College.

Greenwich Council leader Councillor Chris Roberts said: "We are honoured to have welcomed the Princess Royal to our new centre this morning.

"It’s been a proud moment to show her around the excellent facilities and to share with her our aims and objectives.

"This is about creating landmark centres of excellence in the borough where our residents can gain skills and qualifications in specialist areas, and have a real chance of making a good career after their training."

Director of finance and resources at Hadlow College Mark Lumsdon-Taylor said: "This is a momentous occasion and we are delighted to have worked in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich in creating this equestrian Olympic legacy. 

"It is very fitting for the Princess Royal to formally open the centre and the students will remember this day for many years to come."

The horticulture section of the new centre is currently under construction.