URMSTON and District Riding Club has cantered to its 60th anniversary.

The Riverside Drive based club will be celebrating the milestone at its annual trophy day and sponsorship day on June 26.

The club - which currently has 100 members - was formed in 1956 when seven local horse riders got together and organised a jumping and gymkhana competition on Urmston Meadows.

They were originally led by the late Larry Morrissey, a chiropodist, who became chairman of the club, while his wife was secretary. The seven - often called the Magnificent Seven - invited other riders to join, and the club grew steadily for some years.

They put on competitions at the original Urmston Agricultural Show which was held on Abbotsfield Park on Chassen Road, Urmston but this event eventually ceased and this meant the riders had lost a safe area in which to compete.

The then Urmston Council offered what is now the club’s showground, some land off Riverside Drive, and the club continues to rent this ground from Trafford Council.

Once the club had its own ground, it was able successfully to look for more members, and as horse riding became more popular and affordable the club grew in membership. It had riders on a lead rein aged three and up, along with juniors up to 16 and seniors above 16 years.

In 1981, the club almost folded after some committee members resigned. but te club rode out the crisis when some new members came forward.

During the mid 80s and 90s the club grew, and in the early 2000s it had a membership of more than 120, and the club was offering up to 55 classes to cover all ages and abilities.

The club, like many others in the North West is a starting point for those in the competition field who want to go on to bigger shows and increased competition.

Chairman John Oakes said: "The club's future, despite some difficult years, is very bright."

* Businesses that have sponsored the the Annual Trophy Day and Sponsorship Day are: Simon Constable Equine Vets, John Shaw Equestrian, Howarths Butchers of Flixton, .Urmston Tack and Feed, James Hall-Patterson, farrier; Graham Lloyd, horse transport; Z.Clephane Ltd; Bespoke Laser Cutting and Engraving; ALW Personal Training. Pat Mawn, Beseeka Kennels and Farm Ltd; Trophy Lawn Turf, Seota Plumbing and Gas.