HORSE-loving pupils at a private school in Denbigh are dreaming of Olympic glory.

The ambitions of the young show jumpers at Myddelton College have been given a boost after plans to re-open their equestrian centre were revealed.

Myddelton College opened its doors as a co-educational and boarding school in 2016 after taking over the premises of the former Howell’s School.

Rhyl Journal:

Myddelton college Equestrian Centre. Pictured are pupils and their horses Daisy Stone on Mel, Isobel Stone on James and Thomas Hogan on Millie. Picture: Mandy Jones

Now the equestrian centre is being renovated so boarding and day pupils can also stable their horses and ponies there.

A number of parents are working with the school to re-establish the equestrian facility.

They include Ruth and Jamie Hogan whose son, Thomas, 12, is a pupil and represents Wales at show jumping, along with fellow students Daisy and Isabella Stone.

The trio competed at the British Schools’ Show Jumping Championships in July this year at Bolesworth Castle in Tattenhall near Chester.

Ruth said: “Re-opening the centre will mean Thomas and fellow students can work on their riding skills and for students to be able to board here and have their ponies with them would be huge. The vision is to give pupils the opportunity to ride while at school.

"I don’t know of any other school in North Wales that has its own equestrian team.

Rhyl Journal:

Myddelton college Equestrian Centre: Pictured are pupils and their horses Isobel Stone on James, Thomas Hogan on Millie and Daisy Stone on Mel. Picture Mandy Jones

"To be able to offer riding lessons would be wonderful and it could benefit so many young students who live in North Wales, as well as the boarders.

"We aren’t looking at starting a riding school, as such. It’s about students stabling and riding their own ponies here.”

Dentist Andrea Stone, who has children at the college, said: "Having an equestrian centre at the college would be a wonderful opportunity. It would mean we could get other students interested and involved in equestrian activities. There are other pupils in the school who do ride.

“It would be wonderful to one day have a former Myddelton College pupil winning an Olympic gold medal."

Andrew Allman, headteacher, said: “The equestrian centre on site is part of the heritage which we are bringing back. We have the facility on site and it’s something we like to see returned to its former glory.

“We have to remember that, as a school, we are really a very young establishment having only been open for five years.

“However, we are developing and forging strong links to the local community and the wider North Wales area.”

“I’m delighted Ruth Hogan, as a parent of a pupil at the school, has a vision for the equestrian centre and we will now work together to develop it.”