WHEN mother and daughter Sue and Laura Forber decided to turn a love of horses into a full-time venture, it was a real family affair.

And for the official opening of their Village Riding School equestrian centre in Tanhouse Lane, Burtonwood, it became a rugby league affair.

St Helens hooker James Roby and former Saints player and Warrington legend Lee Briers shared the honours.

The duo were happy to help because of a rugby league connection with Sue’s husband Gary and his brother, Paul, a long-serving former Saint.

Sue said: “This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 16, when I remember me and my dad meeting somebody from the council, because I had big ideas about setting up my own business with horses in a field off Sherdley Road,” said Sue.

“Now 29 years later that dream has been realised.

“Horses have been my life but when Laura was 12 she decided to help me. It went from there.

“She left school and went to work at Bold Heath Equestrian Centre, did her exams and got all the qualifications to teach others.

“She’s 26 and we’re pleased to have our own small family business, which offers friendly, one-to-one tuition.

“We couldn’t have done this without the help of Gary’s mum and dad and the support of my aunties Kath and Tricia and Gary’s hard work.”