Arvidsjaur equestrian association has run riding school activities for over 30 years and Linda Grundström remembers the joy of being able to start riding school as a 12-year-old.
- It felt unreal that we in Arvidsjaur would get a riding stable.
Now I really hope that everything works out.
I can not imagine what it would be like if the riding school in Arvidsjaur was closed down, says Linda Grundström, parent of a riding student.
The operating support does not cover the costs
Arvidsjaur equestrian association receives SEK 310,000 annually in operating support from the municipality.
A sum for which the association is very grateful, but which is not enough, according to Anna Lundqvist who is employed by the association as a riding teacher.
- I think that our financial situation means that no one wants to take on the role of chairman.
I understand that it can feel tough to take over the association with the starting position we have today.
We have expensive operating costs and the riding stable is in need of maintenance, which we see would cost about two million, she says.
Hope the municipality takes pity
How are you going to solve this?
- On Monday evening, governing politicians visited.
Now we hope for increased support from Arvidsjaur municipality.
That the municipality takes pity on us so that we can continue to run our business, says Lundqvist.
70 students risk being without school
On March 31, the Arvidsjaur equestrian association has its extraordinary annual meeting.
- Before that, we need to find someone who wants to shoulder the role of chairman if we are not to be forced to close down our business.
It would be incredibly sad and not least for our 70 riding students, says riding teacher Anna Lundqvist.
In the video, Anna Lundqvist and riding students Julia Neykova and Ronja Mendelin talk about the anxiety.