Trustees Annual Report
Mid-Antrim Riding for the Disabled, I" January 2023-31° De￿rnber 2023
Charity No. Nl 103831
The Charity exists to provide Therapeutic Riding and associated activities to children with Special Needs in
the Ballymena and surroundingArea.
The Principal Address of the Charity and contact for the Charity Commission is:
Mrs Jane Hanna, 8 Carclinty Road, Cullybackey BT42 IPH.
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The riding year. bega'n on the 26 January and the group decided to maintain the volunteer rota on a weekly
basis allowing the rotation of volunteers. There were 10 riders for the morning session who rode weekly
during term time until the Easter break. 8 of the riders came from Castle Tower School, who due to the
continued reduced availability of buses and bus drivers were only able to send a single class of pupils each
week. The 8 pupils were split into 2 groups with each group getting both a riding session and a session in the
clubroom where they worked towards the theory part of their riding experience- stable management, horse
care and other riding related information. Of the class, 6 pupils completed their Grade l Riding and Horse
care, I pupil Grade 2 Ridlng and Horse care and I pupil their Endeavour Award. The pupils received their
certificates and badges from The County Chairperson and County Coach who had visited the group to
complete coaching assessments with 2 of the group coaches. The school group were joined by 2 private
riders, l of whom achieved Grade 2 Riding and the other Grade l Riding and Horse care.
Following the Easter break, a new class from Castle Tower School rode until the beginning of June, along with
2 private riders. Of the class of 9 students, 6 pupils achieved Grade I riding and 3 Endeavour Awards. The
certificates and badges were presented at the annual countryside challenge and BBQ at Galgorm Parks Riding
School.
Due to demand and the success in August 2022, the group operated a 4-week summer scheme for young
people from both Castle Tower School and the local community. We had two sessions each morning, with ten
riders overall who were accompanied by their parents and grandparents. This was a great opportunity for the
families to see the progress their children made each week. At the end of the 4 weeks, the proud parents
watched on as the riders received rosettes. The group were delighted to increase the opportunity to ride to a
larger number of young people and the development of not only their riding skills, but also their confidence,
5elf-esteem and social skills was evident. At the request of the parents for a continuation of the riding
opportunity, the group decided to offer an extra session on a Thursday 3fternoon for a maximum of 4 riders
at any one time. Our exciting new development began on 9 November at 4.30pm. Four riders benefited
from this and the children's joy and parents, appreciation was very much evident.
In September, we resumed our weekly Thursday morning rides for Castle Tower School and 2 private riders
who were able to continue their riding with the group. We were restricted to one class of pupils (9 pupils),
who again split into 2 groups, both having the opportunity to ride and be taught stable management, horse
care and other riding information mapped to the RDA Grade l Horse Care and Riding awards. This enhanced
their understanding of their riding experience and the stable environment. At their final week, before half
term, we awarded 6 Grade l Riding and 5 Grade l Horse care. Due to several cancellations by school In
November, the same students attended until the Christmas party in early December, where a visit from Santa
Claus and some games was a celebration for the young riders who had developed not onlytheir riding skills

but also their confidence, communication, and social Skills. It was a farewell to one of our private riders. who
had been riding with the group for several years and has progressed so much that they are now able to
attend riding lessons independently.
The group continue to benefit from the hiring of the excellent riding facilities and equines, from Mrs Sara Kyle
at Galgorm Parks Riding School, Sand Road, Ballymena. As well as exclusive use of all of the facilities for
£150-£175 per session, Sara continues to support the group with advice to help provide the most beneficial
experience for the pupils. The rent of the facilities is the main annual cost for the group as all support is
provided by volunteers, both Coaches, leaders and side walkers. Other operational costs included: RDA
membership and insurance, and our annual BBQ/Countryside Challenge and Christmas Party.
The principal sources of income during the year included £IOOO in a grant from the Education Authority. The
group also received a number of generous donations: £800 from l Ballymena Presbyterian Church, £500
from Bann Valley Riding Club, £219.37 in lieu of flowers for J Russell, £200 from Ballymena Academy Past
Pupils Associatson and £1500 from other supporters of the charity. We are grateful for the generous
donations but will continue to actively source extra funds next year. The introduction of the evening ride has
resulted in increased costs as we only charge a nominal fee of £5 per rider per session but must continue to
pay a commercial rate for the hire of ponies and facilities.
The Public Benefit delivered by Mid-Antrim RDA is detailed above in terms of achievements of the riders. It is
less easy to quantify but equally beneficial, is the opportunity provided by having close contact with a horse
and the sense of achievement and enjoyment which can be observed in many of the young riders, especially
those who were initially nervous or unwilling to take part. It is often the physical benefits of improved core
strength, balance and co-ordination which are most apparent. To be able to increase the opportunity for
young riders outside of school was very much appreciated by the riders, families.
As a group, we make every effort to ensure that the sessions are conducted safely by using suitably qualified
Coaches and trained volunteers. Ongoing training is provided for the volunteer leaders and side walkers, both
by our group and attendance at sessions organised by RDA NI. A number of the volunteers attended a
regional training session in January. During the year the group continued to update Access Nl checks for
existing volunteers meanwhile all new volunteers will complete an Access Nl check and provide 2 references.
The Group's Safeguarding policy is reviewed annually along with the Health and Safety, First Aid and Equality,
Diversity and Inclusion policies. For health and safety, a qualified first alder is always in attendance, and
during the year a number of volunteers renewed their first aid course and this is monitored to ensure a
regular update in qualified first aiders. Equine welfare is also important to us and we are careful to ensure
that the riders, weight and ability to maintain their balance is matched as closely as possible to the age and
ability of the ponies to carry them comfortably and safely.
We consider that we have had regard to the Commission's guidance on public benefit and have fulfilled our
obligations in this respect.
Signed:
Lady Juliet Frazer
Chairman
On behalf of the following Trustees of the Group
Lady Juliet Frazer
Mrs Patsy Morrogh

Mrs Catherine Maybin
Mrs Emma Wells
Mrs Heather Robinson
Mrs Sally Glass
Miss Yvonne Parker
Mrs Madeline Mcllroy
Mrs Sheelagh Canty
Mrs Jane Hanna
Attachments
l. Copy of the Accounts and List of Assets
2. Copy of Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees