An initiative striving to improve inclusivity in racing has reached more young people from diverse ethnic communities than ever before.The Riding A Dream Academy has reached many milestones over the past year, includingrecordparticipation and graduates flourishing in the industry.Between 2024 and 2025the Academy has worked with more than 400 students, almost double the 210 participants in 2023-24 and up from just 27 in its firstyearof 2021-22. Of these students, 80% came from a diverse ethnic background an increase on the 71% lastyear.The Academy has continued to deliver its flagship programme, the Khadijah Mellah Scholarship with the support of The Racing Foundation and Goodwood Racecourse, with 65% of Scholarship students since 2021 now either working in racing, having appliedforor completed the Foundation Course or taken part in work experience in the sport. Amongst the notable graduates are Sienna Anderson (pictured above with Aamilah), the second Academy rider to compete in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, finishing secondfortrainer Charlie Fellowes; Uwitonze Wenham Beckford, who became the first Academy student to be shortlistedforthe Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in the Newcomer category; and Aamilah Aswat, lastyears Magnolia Cup rider, who is being supported to pursue a Conditional Jockeys Licence.The Academy also launched a partnership with Ascot Racecourse, involving 50 students from five schools in Slough to provide riding-based taster days on course and the chanceforstudents to find out more about the sport at the track. In June this year, more than 150 students from the same schools took part in jockey-fitness and equiciser sessions thanks to support from the Shanly Foundation and the Englefield Charitable Trust.Thisyearhas been transformational working with over 400 young people, launching the Ascot Taster Day programme, and seeing more and more of our students progressing in the sport, said Naomi Lawson, Director of the Riding A Dream Academy. The impact of the Academy on the industry has been tangible with applications to the British Racing School Foundation Course from young people from ethnic minority now reaching 12% of all applications in 2024-25. We are proud of the impact we have had in opening doorsforyoung people into the sport and extremely grateful to the Racing Foundation and all our fundersforsupporting our work.Applications are now open for Riding A Dreams Residential Week (16-20 February). Find out more here.Lead image of Aamilah Aswat. Credit: Alice GoughMore from Your HorseThis is why starting a horses ridden career has nothing to do with breaking inCafeteria-style feeding and its important role in a horses diet explained *Video*Manage a spooked horse with these exercises from Richard MaxwellSimple checks to make if your horse is not losing weightThe post Record year for Riding A Dream Academy appeared first on Your Horse.