Throughout the week, beginning Monday, March 24, Lessans will be raising money for BDP, which funds building projects in Burkina Faso, on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
Thanks to BDP, since October 2006 the children of Burkina Faso have had a school to attend, as a five-acre site became home to three classrooms.
In 2007, another three classrooms were added. They provide much-needed education to 150 children. The children are also all sponsored and they now receive a healthy snack at break-time, and a nutritious cooked lunch daily.
However, the charity is not finished yet, and plans are underway to add a health centre, a library and pre-school section for 75 children this year, and to build a secondary school within the next two years, creating a complete, self-contained education complex.
Jim Bell, of BDP., said: "In the West, we take a good education for granted; however in Burkina Faso this is not so. Approximately 30 per cent of children have the opportunity to go to school, and state schools can have as many as 130 pupils in one class.
"Education is seen as a means to get out of poverty and our main project is the building of the school and the sponsorship of its pupils in Bobo Dioulasso. Sector 24, where the school is situated, is one of the poorest areas of the city.
"BDP exists to help improve, in a small way, the lives of some of these people by raising awareness and funds and by sending teams to do practical work. We can't change the world, but we can change the world for one person."
From March 24 to 30, customers at Lessans Riding School can help BDP by volunteering to pay just £1 extra each for their ride. This sum may seem so little to us, but, in Africa, even a small amount can change a life.
The size of the donation is not important; a fantastic way for younger riders to help out is to have a spare-change hunt around the house, the car, behind the sofa – anywhere there may just be a few extra pennies lurking because, to the people of Burkina Faso, every little helps.
And everyone - whether Lessans regular or welcome visitor - can come along and do their bit on March 28, when activities at the yard will be given over to a fundraising extravaganza!
By paying £20 per rider for the evening (no charge for horse or pony hire), one can join in classes including clear-round jumping, a speed round, a pairs relay, top score and ride and run competitions. All classes will run at both novice and intermediate heights, so there's no excuse not to take part!
In addition, the beautifully-renovated viewing gallery coffee shop will be open for business, offering a variety of hot and cold tasty treats - all profits will go to the charity's efforts in Africa.
Lessans proprietor, Philippa Auret, said: "When I heard about BDP., I really wanted to do something to help. This fundraising event promises to be a brilliant night with lots of exciting competition and everyone will be made welcome, whether competing or simply cheering on the riders.
"We hope that people will come from near and far to support this important cause - all proceeds will go straight to the charity and any support or donations, no matter how big or small, will be most gratefully received."
Classes will start at 6pm. For further information, contact Lessans Riding Stables on tel: 028 9751 0141. For more on BDP or on sponsoring a child, visit www.burkinadevelopmentpartnership.org.