A Gatehouse horse sanctuary has ridden to the rescue of a New Galloway girl denied a college place.
Dakota Jardine, who has Down’s syndrome, wanted to enrol for a Life Skills 2 course locally.
Her hopes were dashed after Dumfries College discontinued the module and Stranraer rejected her on ability grounds.
But now the 18-year-old is thrilled to be starting a skills-based course at the 3Rs centre near Gatehouse.
Dakota’s dad Hugh said: “She is absolutely excited as anything.
“Dakota has a massive love for horses because she used to go to Riding for the Disabled at Barstobrick.
“We told her she was going out to work rather than going on a course.
“Susan Murdoch who runs the 3Rs was great – she told her she’d had an interview and had got the job.
“Dakota was jumping up and down and fist bumping everybody.”
Hugh was upset at the college knockback after Dakota passed Level 1 at Castle Douglas High School.
Stranraer Campus maintained it had followed correct procedures and she did not meet their course entry requirements.
Hugh said: “Dakota will be doing general work at the 3Rs and learning life skills. That will count towards an Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) certificate.
“And the perk of the job is she gets to ride the horses – she has already been in the saddle and loves it.
“She will be there two and a half days a week and is absolutely enthralled. So much so that it was a struggle to get her to go to school the next day because she wanted to go back to the horses.”
He added: “If anybody wants to give a donation to the 3Rs that would be more than welcome. Running costs go beyond horse rescue – it’s all those things associated with the learning programme as well.”
3Rs boss Susan Murdoch said: “I’m an ex-teacher who left the profession because of cutbacks in education.
“We were not fulfilling young people’s needs in this area who have extra needs.
“At least up here we can offer a vocational placement leading to an ASDAN qualification.
“I’ll be pushing Dakota straight into acquiring life skills for that, starting with everyday chores.
“She’ll be getting involved in teamwork on lots of different activities with different people and with one to one support.
“There will be assisted riding as well which she absolutely loves.
“We have a team of therapy ponies and horses which help young people feel they are needed.”
Meanwhile, local MSP Finlay Carson has been made aware of Dakota’s problems in getting a course placement and has contacted Dumfries and Galloway College.
He said: “It is important that educational opportunities are afforded to all young people in my constituency and everything possible should be done to ensure that this happens.
“I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education to make her aware of the problem and I am presently awaiting a
response.
“I am due to meet with the college officials in Stranraer to discuss the barriers that may exist to providing educational opportunities to every young person, no matter their ability or location.”
Dakota also attends the Adult Resource Centre in Newton Stewart one day a week.
