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.
Thursday 23rd January saw Sally (accompanied by Liquorice & Sparky ) presented with a cheque for £1,500 on behalf of Greenstede Lodge of Sussex Masons, part of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex In the United Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England. Sussex Freemasonry work endlessly to encourage opportunity, promote independence and improve the well being for disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the whole UK. As well as individuals, they support hundreds of charities across England & Wales. Their grants fund a range of projects for later life & early years, as well as hospices & medical research. We are very grateful for their generous donation.
In December the St Silvans Area Charity were made aware that a local school they have helped in the past bring 12 children riding each week with East Park. Some of these children have high sensory needs and it was felt they could benefit from riding bareback but it needed to be as safe an experience as possible. Following some research by Lysa, who coaches the group, a solution was found – The Total Contact Saddle. The saddle was designed to give the closest possible contact with the horse whilst keeping the security of stirrups. The minimalist design strips away unnecessary padding, tree, cantle and pommel to deliver direct communication between horse and rider. The rider can now really feel the horse which is exactly the point for our pupils. The charity sprang into action and despite Christmas and the New Year getting in the way, ordered the saddle which arrived in time for the new term. The pupils were very excited to welcome Judy Whittaker and Alan Fyfe from the charity to their weekly lesson where the saddle was presented to Annie China-O’Neill.
Organiser of the MG Car Club, Sussex Wanderers, David Griffiths, today presented Sally O’Neill with a cheque for £1,600, collected from their members at their events during 2019. The Car Club was started by David and his wife Ursula, with 15 members, and how holds monthly events attended by up to 70 people and 35 cars each time. The format is to meet somewhere for coffee, drive a route of 25 to 30 miles, and end up at a pub or restaurant for lunch, following which a collection is made for charity. East Park RDA has been lucky enough to be the recipient of funds raised for several years, but in 2019 the members obviously dug really deep into their pockets to raise this fantastic amount for us. We are truly grateful to David and Ursula, and to all the members of the Club, for this very generous donation.
