Annual report 2022-2023
The financial year April 2022-March 2023 has been another good year for the group, ending the financial year in profit again with £2500 in the bank and our £15000 savings untouched.
- Horses
There have been some big changes in our herd. With Reggie, Bea and Dan all retiring towards the end of 2022. Reggie was rehomed by Beth, Dan was rehomed by Sue and Vicky, Bea, who was on long term loan to us, went to a retirement home found by her owner. Sadly both Reggie and Dan passed away this year but a huge thank you to Beth, Sue and Vicky for providing loving homes for them after their working days with us were done.
The herd were joined by Penny in October 2022 and Robbie in November 2022. Both settled well in to their new jobs and now Tia, Toby, Artie, Penny and Robbie are a happy family of 5 and we are hoping to stay that way for a while.
- Riders
Today we have 35 riders either weekly or fortnightly over our 6 weekend riding lessons. Over the last 18 months, lots of riders have gained Endeavour awards, Proficiency awards in horse care and riding, taken part in the Countryside challenge, sponsored walk, pony days, drill rides, hacking out round the village.
Since Covid the demand for accessing riding lessons has been higher than ever with our waiting list constantly sitting at around 10-15 riders. Over the last 18 months we have tried to expand our offerings to allow as many people as possible to join in and access the group.
Tea with a Pony sessions during the week and school holidays activities have been a success, with the pony days being the biggest hit. The Tea with a Pony and school holiday sessions have been a great way to introduce those on the waiting list to the horses, coaches, volunteers and to the yard. Having the waiting list participants familiar with the group is allowing for smoother transitions in to weekend riding spaces when available and is something we will continue to offer to those on the waiting list.
Just before this summer we had Harehills primary school start to visit with 2 groups of 6 children. We are hoping the school sessions will start again after October half term once the children have all settled back in to the school routine. These sessions have started as
non-ridden sensory sessions but we hope in time to get all children enjoying riding.
- Volunteers
As always, without our volunteers none of this is possible. The running of our group relies solely on an absolutely wonderful group of volunteers.
This last year aside from the time and dedication given to the weekend riding sessions we have needed the volunteers more than ever.
Sycamore seedlings – since May this year it has been an ongoing battle, one that I’m not sure we have won but we are grateful for everyone who has helped out. Many many many many hours have been spent on evenings, bank holiday weekends, before and after weekend lessons to try and keep the horses happy. Sorry for all the sore backs and blisters that the little buggers have caused but the horses are very grateful to not have sore tummies!
The Big Help Out in May 2023 – Thank you to Emma for suggesting
it
With visits from ITV calendar, ITV national, BBC news, Sky news and Heart radio it was definitely a successful day even in the rain. Seedling clearing, tack cleaning, stable cleaning and power washing
We also had a business volunteer day from Unilever – the first volunteer day since pre Covid. They helped with the fight against the seedlings and helped to clear and tidy up the arena.
- Fundraising
Our annual fundraiser for 2022 was the countryside challenge with £1600 being raised by the riders.
A side to our annual fundraisers we have also Queen’s Jubilee Raffle £210 Branham - £134 3 of Sunday’s volunteers, Sophie, Isla and Elodie had a bake sale and raised £115
Calverley Golf Club ladies sections – charity of the year - raised £200 which went towards purchasing new hay feeders.
- Grants
The last year-18 months, I think, has been successful with a number of grants, these inlude £2500 from St James’s Place to sponsor Toby £1000 from Arnold Clark £1000 from Wetherby Lions towards a new horse £500 from Horses for Health for our new accessible picnic bench, a hay feeder and a first aid course
- Plans for the next year….
Continue as we are with a horse family of 5
Would like to raise money/find grants for
-
Fencing
-
Replacing stable mats
-
Card payment machine
Plan for another sponsored ride and maybe a horse show later in the year.
IndepEnderrt eA4mlr*s rewttothe ¢ruMe•s of Leeds Area RDA I report tothe trLtsteÈson my examlngtlon of th¢ of the Leeds tha RDA Ithe Trustl fttr the year ended 31 Marth 2023. RespanslbllFtles and basls of roport As the chartytrustees of the TrustVOLS are respot)slblefor the prepaTatlon of the accounts In accordance wlth the re4ulrements of the CharKlesAct 20111'ihe Arfl. I report In respert of rny examlnatlon of the TrusV5 ac¢ounts carried out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Art and in carrylng out myexamlnatlon I have followed all the applicable Dlrectlomsglven by ihe Charlty Cofflmls4on tsndersectoon 14515llbl of the Art. Independent exaMlneff$5tatemert I have completed my examlnatlon. I confirni that no materlal matters have come to my attentkjn In connertlon with the examination glvln8 MÈ causeto belleve that in #ny mater131 respert accountin¥records were not kept In respect of the Trust as requlrÈd by settlon 130 of the A¢t; I have no concem5 and have come across no other rnatters In conhertlon wfth the e¥aminat5on to whlch attention should be drHwTr in thls report in orderto enable a proper understandin8of the a¢rounts to be reached. 5Sgned.. Name- Helen Slmpson Address.. 78 Brow Lane, Clayton. Bradford BD14 6wr Date.. I fynJL20Z