Fleet care home resident, 90, gets back in the saddle

A resident at a care home in Fleet has taken the reins once more as her dream to rekindle her love for horse riding was made a reality. 

When the team at Care UK’s Bourley Grange, on Bourley Road in Church Crookham, learned that 90-year-old Vicki Mungur was desperate to spend an afternoon with her favourite animals for the first time in 50 years, they were determined to make her wish come true. 

 

Growing up in Cumbria, Vicki learned to ride horses as a young girl, regularly attending lessons and spending her free time at the local stables.

When she moved out of the countryside and started a family of her own, she wanted her son Krish to find the same love and passion for riding that she had, so the family became regular riders as a trio until all three came off their horses and unfortunately lost their confidence. 

Half a century later, Vicki was desperate to rediscover her connection with horses, which is where the care home team stepped in. They organised a visit to Santolina Stables in Wokingham, where she spent an afternoon stroking and talking to mild-mannered 24-year-old horse Billy before taking to the saddle once again. 

Of the experience, Vicki said: “I cannot believe that I was able to ride again at 90! It brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood, and then of my time riding as a family later in my life. I’m thrilled I got the opportunity, and so grateful to the staff for making my wish come true.” 

The visit was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their goals forward and allow them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new. From flying a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Racquel Merdegia, Home Manager at Bourley Grange, said: “Vicki has such fond memories of riding with her son Krish when he was younger and loves to talk about the years she spent riding, so when she shared that she would love to get back in the saddle, the team knew they had to make it happen. 

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a great way for residents to share their dreams and interests, and it’s so rewarding to be able to make these a reality. Vicki had a wonderful time and she hasn’t stopped smiling since!

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the team here and at Santonia Stables Wokingham for a fantastic day and for making Vicki’s wish come true.”

Bourley Grange provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home has been designed to deliver the very best standards and to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives in a luxury environment.