Pegasus Riding for the Disabled Association
Registered Charity, No: 1171377
Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 31st December 2024
Trustees
Katy Mongan Caroline Riley Caroline Dixon
Klaudia Darbinova Sarah Allen Alice Briers
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 1 of 18
Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Contents
| Contents | Contents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reference and Administration Details .......................................................... 3 | |
| 1.1 | Charity Name & Registration ............................................................................. 3 | |
| 1.2 | Charity’s Address ............................................................................................... 3 | |
| 1.3 | Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity ............................................. 3 | |
| 1.4 | Names of Advisors & Senior Members of Staff ................................................. 3 | |
| 1.5 | Bank ................................................................................................................... 4 | |
| 2 | Structure, Governance & Management ........................................................ 5 | |
| 2.1 | Type of Governing Document ........................................................................... 5 | |
| 2.2 | Charitable Objects ............................................................................................. 5 | |
| 2.3 | Trustee Selection Methods................................................................................ 5 | |
| 2.4 | How New Trustees are Inducted and Trained ................................................... 5 | |
| 3 | Activities, Achievements and Performance .................................................. 6 | |
| 3.1 | Statutory Declaration ........................................................................................ 6 | |
| 3.2 | Participants and Sessions .................................................................................. 6 | |
| 3.3 | Horses ................................................................................................................ 7 | |
| 3.4 | Volunteers ......................................................................................................... 9 | |
| 3.5 | Governance ....................................................................................................... 9 | |
| 3.6 | Gallery Refurbishment ....................................................................................... 9 | |
| 3.7 | Planning for the Future...................................................................................... 9 | |
| 3.8 | Thanks .............................................................................................................. 10 | |
| 3.9 | Trustee Development ...................................................................................... 10 | |
| 4 | Financial Review ........................................................................................ 11 | |
| 4.1 | Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit ....................................................... 11 | |
| 4.2 | Policy on Reserves ........................................................................................... 11 | |
| 4.3 | Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings ................................................... 11 | |
| 4.4 | Remuneration of Trustees ............................................................................... 12 | |
| 4.5 | Financial Status ................................................................................................ 12 | |
| 4.6 | Statutory Statements on Liabilities ................................................................. 13 | |
| 5 | Statement of Financial Activity .................................................................. 14 | |
| 5.1 | Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts .......................................... 14 | |
| 5.2 | Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Year Ended 31-Dec 2024.... 15 | |
| 5.3 | Notes to the Accounts ..................................................................................... 17 |
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 2 of 18
Trustees Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022
1 Reference and Administration Details
1.1 Charity Name & Registration
Pegasus Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)
The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration no: 1171377, registered with the Charity Commission on 30 January 2017.
The Charity is a member group of Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving (a charity registered under Charity No. 244108).
The charity is registered with HM Revenue & Customs.
1.2 Charity’s Address
13 Kirkby Avenue Sale Cheshire M33 3EP
e-mail: pegasusrda@gmail.com
website: www.pegasusrda.org.uk
The activities of the Charity are carried out at North Cheshire Equestrian Centre (NCEC), Carrington, Trafford.
1.3 Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity
Name Role Appointed Resigned Katy Mongan Chair Caroline Riley Treasurer Sarah Allen Secretary Klaudia Darbinova-Fentem Caroline Dixon Alice Briers 11/07/2024
1.4 Names of Advisors & Senior Members of Staff
None
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 3 of 18
1.5 Bank
The Co-operative Bank PO Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 4 of 18
2 Structure, Governance & Management
2.1 Type of Governing Document
Constitution – based on the Charity Commission’s model governing document for Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisations, ie: where the Trustees are the only Members of the charity.
2.2 Charitable Objects
As defined in Pegasus RDA’s Constitution (Governing Document):
The charity’s objects are:
“…to promote the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, a charity registered under charity number 244108 (“RDA”) by providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or to carriage drive to benefit their health and wellbeing in the South Manchester area”.
2.3 Trustee Selection Methods
There must be at least three charity trustees. The maximum number of trustees is 11.
In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are required to retire by rotation – at every annual general meeting, one third of the charity trustees are required to retire from office. The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been the longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment.
In appointing Trustees, due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law.
2.4 How New Trustees are Inducted and Trained
The charity trustees provide each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment:
-
A copy of Pegasus RDA’s Constitution and any amendments made to it; and
-
A copy of Pegasus RDA’s latest trustees’ annual report and statement of accounts.
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 5 of 18
3 Activities, Achievements and Performance
3.1 Statutory Declaration
The Trustees of Pegasus RDA confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
3.2 Participants and Sessions
We began 2024 with the same focus as previous years: to deliver sessions throughout the full year. Sessions ran throughout the winter and, whilst we experienced some challenges as a result of volunteer numbers fluctuating, we operated for 46 weeks of the year.
We began the year with some spaces in sessions and, over the course of the year, welcomed five new participants, including an additional Friday session, which has been an aspiration of ours for some time. This has been possible due to Caz and Sarah flexing their work schedules to accommodate Friday sessions at the yard.
Our horse care offering increased significantly this year, continuing the growth seen in 2023. This is hugely positive, enabling us to create an inclusive learning experience for those participants who are unable to take part in the ridden sessions.
Overall, numbers were down from the previous year, which was due to a number of factors, including volunteer numbers and access to a sufficient number of suitable horses, our aim for 2025 will be to see an uplift in participant numbers and fill some of the spaces that we currently have in lessons.
Table 1 below summarises the statistics for the year, and a comparison against 2022.
| 2024 | 2023 | Percentage **change ** |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Rides: | 481 | 596 | -19.3% |
| No. of Participants: | 35 | 37 | -5.4% |
| GroomingSessions | 48 | 13 | 269.2% |
| Weeks operating: | 46 | 47 | -2.1% |
| Number of Horses | 8 | 8 | 0.0% |
| Late Cancellations/No Shows: | 41 | 33 | 24.2% |
| Average Participants/Week | 11.5 | 13 | -11.5% |
Table 1: Key statistics for 2024 vs 2023
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 6 of 18
3.3 Horses
The year started on a sad note for our horse team as in January we said goodbye to Seb, who had been one of our most popular horses since our move to NCEC in 2018. In recent months, Seb’s advancing age had begun to show and, although his ridden duties for Pegasus had been reduced, he still left a large hole in our equine team.
Tyson and Ruby continued to be part of our team, however, despite vet treatment, Ruby’s arthritis continued to cause her some lameness. In March, the decision was taken to retire her from ridden work. After searching for retirement options for Ruby, yard owner Toni-Ann offered to take Ruby on. This solution was welcomed by the trustee team as it would allow Ruby to stay on at North Cheshire, her home since birth.
Tyson turned 23 this year and, although still happy to take part in lessons, we have reduced his weight limit and the number of ridden sessions he takes part in. Tyson has supported participants with their horse care sessions, something he enjoys tremendously.
In March, we welcomed a new horse, Jimbob on a trial loan basis. At 14.1HH and 17 years old, Jimbob is a very experienced pony and a very useful size. Jimbob passed his RDA assessment with flying colours and quickly joined lessons. Unfortunately, Jimbob’s owners changed their mind about sending him off on loan, and so he returned to them in April.
In June, our search for a larger, weightbearing horse finally came to an end. After a chance sighting of an advertisement by a local dealer, we went to view Bobby, a 15.2HH 5 year old, solidly built Irish cob. Bobby won our hearts immediately, with his sensible, kind nature and willingness to please. After passing a vetting, we took the plunge and purchased Bobby, welcoming him to our equine team. He took to life at NCEC very positively, having the summer to settle in, before passing his RDA assessment and joining sessions in September. Bobby is our largest horse, his youth and strength mean we can now offer sessions to participants who we could not accommodate previously.
Figure 1: Bobby
In July, we were made aware of another pony available to RDA groups in the Northwest Region on a full loan basis. After meeting Hector, a 13.2HH 8 year old fell pony, we were very excited
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 7 of 18
to welcome him to our team. Hector is forward, yet safe and will be a great pony for those riders wishing to come of the lead rein and ride more independently. He has proved to be popular in lessons and is very comfortable to ride, responding really well to both voice and leg commands.
Figure 2: Hector
Both Bobbby and Hector now have loaners to keep them exercised during the week, the income from which is used to help fund their upkeep costs.
In addition to Hector, it was huge bonus in October when Star joined our equine team. He’s owned by Nikki, who is the livery yards instructor, and her daughter Ava. He’s another perfect RDA pony, very relaxed and bomb proof – as well as being a look alike for Bo Peep! He’s quickly become a firm favourite with our riders and we enjoy having him as part of the team – even when he’s stubborn and won’t come in from the field!
At the end of November Toni-Ann had to take the difficult decision to say goodbye to both Carlos and Beau. As the remaining horses from the original gang of “oldies”; they had lived a long and happy life at North Cheshire and had taught so many children and adults to ride. Both, of course, played a huge part in Pegasus and without a doubt Carlos, in particular, was a huge favourite for many of our riders. Both old boys had ongoing health issues, which unfortunately wouldn’t improve as we went into the winter months. In the horsey world the expression “over the rainbow bridge” is sometimes used, and we all felt some comfort from knowing that Carlos, Beau, Seb and Santos are all together again.
The charity used eight horses during our sessions this year: Carlos, Tyson, Ruby, Cinderella, Bo Peep, Bobby, Hector and Star.
Carlos and Bo Peep are owned by the yard owner at NCEC. Cinderella and Star are privately owned. Ruby and Bobby are owned by Pegasus RDA and Tyson and Hector are both privately owned, but on long term loan to Pegasus RDA.
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 8 of 18
3.4 Volunteers
Pegasus RDA is run and managed entirely by volunteers. Our volunteers come from a range of diverse backgrounds and ages and bring with them a variety of skills. We continue to be extremely grateful to our wonderful team of volunteers for all their time and dedication in supporting our sessions.
From a volunteer perspective, we continued throughout 2024 to have a good, core group of regular volunteers and we also welcomed a number of new joiners who went through our induction and training programme. There is always a natural ebb and flow with volunteers as people move on or simply decide that volunteering is not for them, but we were lucky to have welcomed some great new team members in 2024 and hope that they will continue to play a part in the ongoing delivery of our sessions.
3.5 Governance
We have a really committed trustee and coaching team who demonstrate their commitment, dedication and passion week in, week out. All trustees have busy family and working lives outside of RDA and to support the charity in addition to those other commitments is testament to the strong, positive team we have behind Pegasus RDA.
We welcomed Alice to the trustee team in July, and she has been a great addition, particularly as she brings her social media and production experience into the team. She has lots of experience with us as a volunteer and it’s been great to see her relationship with us develop into becoming a member of the board.
3.6 Gallery Refurbishment
A major achievement for 2024 was the start of the transformation of our viewing gallery supported by building company John Sisk & Son. The husband of one of our volunteers works for the firm and, as part of their CSR programme, we are the very lucky recipients of a refurbishment, delivered by the trade firms linked to Sisk. The project has enabled them to repurpose building materials etc. that have been surplus to requirements on construction projects. Work began on a very frosty morning in November with the removal and replacement of the ceiling and will continue into the New Year. This project has been a huge undertaking, and big thanks must also be given to Caz and Sarah from the trustee team for their ongoing project management of the refurbishment from a Pegasus perspective.
3.7 Planning for the Future
Our priority for 2025 is to maintain our levels of activity and to introduce more regular grooming / horse care sessions into our programme. We now have a great team of equines, and are very happy with our new additions, meaning we can cater to a broader range of participants.
Having now three horses to care for means we need to raise substantial funds to cover the cost of their upkeep. We, therefore, hope to get more supporters involved with fundraising in the forthcoming year, involving volunteers, participants and their families. This will give more people the opportunity to have a direct impact on how we develop the charity.
As always, our core for objectives for the coming year are:
-
To create and maintain a welcoming, fun and safe environment for everyone involved with Pegasus RDA.
-
To provide the best horse riding and horse care sessions that we are able to.
-
To ensure suitable training is provided and well-conducted.
-
To grow as a team and support each other in achieving goals and overcoming challenges both in and out of the saddle!
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 9 of 18
3.8 Thanks
We would like to thank everyone who supported us in our activities this year. Your support means so much to Pegasus RDA at this time and always.
North Cheshire Equestrian Full Circle Community The ASDA Foundation Centre Fund John Sisk & Son and their Tesco Community Fund Forever Manchester contractors Stephanie Owen Claire Gooch RDA North West Regional Committee
Everybody who contributed to fundraisers on our People’s Fundraising Page
Our super volunteers, participants, families and carers.
3.9 Trustee Development
Trustees are encouraged to participate in development opportunities as and when appropriate.
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 10 of 18
4 Financial Review
4.1 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit.
4.2 Policy on Reserves
The Charity’s policy on reserves is to generate and maintain a balance which is sufficient:
-
a) to preserve the financial viability of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstance precipitate a short-term fall in its income;
-
b) to enable the Charity, in the interests of meeting its objectives, to undertake from time to time the setting up of new and innovative projects on a pilot basis to demonstrate the viability and potential benefits of such activities as a precursor to securing the external funding necessary to maintain such projects on an on-going basis.
For these purposes the Charity will endeavour to generate and maintain reserves which are at least 50% of its annual turnover.
The annual turnover for 2024 was £32,951.80 and we ended the year with £14,632.73 in reserves, which, at 44% of the year’s turnover, is close to the target of 50%. The level of reserves is therefore considered by the trustees to be sufficient.
4.3 Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings
4.3.1 Outgoings
Being responsible for the upkeep costs of three horses has increased our outgoings considerably: Horse care costs for the year amounted to £21,938.96 . The cost of hiring the NCEC facilities and ponies for use in our sessions was £5,158.00 . These two costs, together with the purchase of Bobby for £9,000 , amounted to over 85% of the annual outgoings for the charity.
4.3.2 Funding
This year was our first full year of charging participants for lessons. Lesson fees were introduced half way through 2023, when the Children In Need Grant that had previously funded our horse hire costs had been fully spent. We charge £13 for a half-hour session (both ridden and horse care), and during the year, we received a total of £7,294.50 in lesson and late cancellation fees. These funds are used to offset some of our horse upkeep costs.
The charity was less successful in securing grants this year, however the following applications were successful:
We were awarded the following grants this year:
-
£397.00 from the ASDA Foundation to pay for volunteer name badges, DBS checks and storage boxes.
-
£962.00 from the Full Circle Funerals Partners Altrincham Fund to purchase new tack for Bobby.
-
£375.00 from the Tesco Community Fund towards horse upkeep costs.
-
£1,000.00 unrestricted grant from RDA North West Region.
In March, we received an incredibly generous donation from one of our volunteers, who donated £7,000 , which the trustees decided to designate towards the purchase of a new horse.
We were incredibly fortunate to have a number of supporters undertake fundraising events in support of Pegasus RDA this year:
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 11 of 18
-
In February, one of our participants undertook a challenge to run 30 km over the month, raising £1,017.12.
-
In October, a volunteer ran the Manchester Half Marathon in support of Pegasus, raising £416.71.
-
We organised a Christmas Fundraising raffle, which raised £363.98 .
Throughout the year, we continued our fundraising activities, attending events and promoting the charity. In June, we attended the Sale and District Lions Father’s Day Fete in Sale for the third consecutive year. This event is always very well attended and raises our profile in the local community. Once again, we had Rosie the miniature Shetland pony, who was happy to stand and be groomed by local children in exchange for a donation. We also ran a tombola stall, which was well-supported.
4.4 Remuneration of Trustees
All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.
Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.
4.5 Financial Status
Pegasus RDA’s current resources from unrestricted donations are sufficient to meet its outgoings for at least next year.
All the indications are that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 12 of 18
4.6 Statutory Statements on Liabilities
The Trustees declare that:
-
✓ The charity has given no guarantees where potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of this statement ( eg: any outstanding/ongoing contract or legal undertaking to buy or provide specific services);
-
✓ The charity has no debt outstanding at the date of this statement which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO ( eg: a mortgage on property owned by the charity);
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,
Caroline Riley (Trustee, Treasurer)
Date: 22/10/2025
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 13 of 18
5 Statement of Financial Activity
5.1 Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
Report to the Trustees/Members of Pegasus RDA on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 set out on pages 15 to 18
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 14 of 18
5.2 Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Year Ended 31-Dec 2024
5.2.1 Receipts & Payments
| RECEIPTS Donations/Fundraising Grants Lesson Fees Gift Aid Income from Loaning horses Cancellation Fees Uniform Sales Refund Membership Own a Pony Day Total Receipts PAYMENTS Bank Charges DBS Checks Equipment - Admin Equipment - Horses/Yard Expenses Fundraising Gratuities Horses/Facilities Hire Horse Purchase (Bobby) Horse Upkeep Costs Insurance and Subs Petty Cash Phone and Data Planning Application Refreshments Refunded Payments Rider/Lesson Equipment Training Uniform Purchase Website Hosting/Cloud Storage Total Payments |
Unrestricted Funds £6,619.03 £1,000.00 £7,294.50 £2,479.80 £4,290.00 £38.00 £881.78 £3.50 £105.00 £22,711.61 £96.00 £211.33 £1,411.71 £220.84 £5,132.00 £8,471.30 £713.00 £335.00 £1.35 £7.95 £371.55 £41.59 £317.16 £17,330.78 |
Restricted Funds (Note 1) £1,734.00 £1,734.00 £962.00 £26.00 £11,620.00 £1,000.00 £13,608.00 |
Designated Funds (Note 2) £8,506.19 £8,506.19 £9,000.00 £1,847.66 £10,847.66 |
2024 Full Year £15,125.22 £2,734.00 £7,294.50 £2,479.80 £4,290.00 £0.00 £38.00 £881.78 £3.50 £105.00 £32,951.80 £0.00 £96.00 £211.33 £2,373.71 £0.00 £220.84 £0.00 £5,158.00 £9,000.00 £21,938.96 £713.00 £335.00 £1.35 £0.00 £7.95 £371.55 £0.00 £0.00 £1,041.59 £317.16 £41,786.44 |
2023 Full Year £13,329.31 £17,123.46 £3,026.80 £1,663.85 £3,410.00 £129.50 £101.00 £303.97 £4.50 £240.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £39,332.39 | |||||
| £10.00 £35.10 £158.28 £632.64 £0.00 £488.41 £30.95 £5,057.50 £0.00 £19,798.46 £681.00 £130.00 £10.00 £295.00 £8.11 £303.97 £195.28 £0.00 £0.00 £221.97 |
|||||
| £28,056.67 |
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 15 of 18
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Designated | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Full Year | Full Year | |
| SUMMARY | (Note 1) | (Note 2) | |||
| Total Receipts | £22,711.61 | £1,734.00 | £8,506.19 | £32,951.80 | £39,332.39 |
| Total Payments | £17,330.78 | £13,608.00 | £10,847.66 | £41,786.44 | £28,056.67 |
| NET OF RECEIPTS- | - | ||||
| PAYMENTS | £5,380.83 | £11,874.00 | -£2,341.47 | -£8,834.64 | £11,275.72 |
| Transfers Between Funds | £1,551.35 | -£8.50 | -£1,542.85 | £0.00 | - |
| - | |||||
| NET AFTER TRANSFERS | £6,932.18 | £11,882.50 |
-£3,884.32 |
-£8,834.64 | -£8,834.64 |
5.2.2 Summary of Receipts & Payments Accounts
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Designated | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Full Year | Full Year | |
| (Note 1) | (Note 2) | ||||
| Balances at 1 January | £7,700.55 | £12,279.50 | £3,884.32 | £23,864.37 | £12,588.65 |
| Net Receipts in year | £6,932.18 | -£11,882.50 | -£3,884.32 | -£8,834.64 | £11,275.72 |
| Balances at 31 | |||||
| December | £14,632.73 | £397.00 | £0.00 | £15,029.73 | £23,864.37 |
5.2.3 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
In addition to the above balance, Pegasus RDA owns:
-
The horse Bobby, at a value of £9,000.
-
Stock of Pegasus RDA branded T-shirts and sweatshirts at a value of £1,000.
-
Equipment, including specialised tack and lesson equipment, at a value of £4,000.
-
A timber stable block and tack room, at a value of £5,000.
5.2.4 Approval of the Board of Trustees
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Caroline Riley (Trustee, Treasurer)
Date:22/10/25
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024
Page 16 of 18
5.3 Notes to the Accounts
a) Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities and the charity’s own Simple Accounts Spreadsheet.
-
b) Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Expenses
-
Out-of-pocket expenses incurred necessarily, reasonably and incidentally in the course the charity’s activities are reimbursed at cost.
-
c) Salaries & Professional Fees
No trustee receives any payments for the services they provide to the charity.
In the current financial year the charity employed no staff or external contractors.
Note 1. Restricted Funds
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
Page 17 of 18
Note 2. Designated Funds
Pegasus RDA: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
Page 18 of 18