East Park Riding for the Disabled Group

Our riders must have all been very good over the past year because at the final sessions of the Autumn Term a very special visitor came to every lesson. Santa somehow found the time to bring gifts for every child!

At the end of the Autumn Term, Manor Green all passed their Level 1 and were presented with certificates to prove it. Well done to all the children.

We are very lucky to have generous friends and supporters who donate to our funds. We are truly grateful particularly since our fundraising events have been few and far between during the pandemic.

Recent donations include:

Dormansland Horse and Dog Show £1,000

East Grinstead Lions Donkey Derby £500

Shire Horse Show £300

Godstone Lodge £250

Redhill Redstone Rotary £1000

Six pupils from St Stephen’s Primary School, who have been riding through the summer term, spent the day at Littlebrook learning the skills to pass their grade 1 and 2 Riding and Horse care certificates. The children were assisted by some of our volunteers.

The pupils had a wonderful day and learnt a lot. Many thanks go to Sally O’Neil for accommodating the group for the day thus enabling the children to enjoy this fabulous learning opportunity. Thanks also to all the volunteers for all their hard work both on the day and during the weekly lessons and to Lysa Jephcott, our inventive coach, for organising everyone.

The day finished with an award presentation. Lions Club District Governor Ian Forbes kindly came to watch the pupils take their grades and stayed to present the children with their hard earned certificates and end of year awards.

Although we have not had any riding sessions since last March, our ponies still need to be cared for and we are very grateful that our many generous friends have not forgotten us. The Sussex Wanderers MG Car Club have donated £1,400, East Grinstead Lions £300 and numerous other private donations total £4,377. This kindness will help us to keep our ponies fed, watered and exercised until we can start riding again. We hope this might be after Easter, for at least one school which can come as a bubble, and are keeping our fingers crossed.