Christmas newsletter 2025
Riding for the Disabled, Jersey Group have had another remarkably busy year providing riding therapy for a wide group of individuals on the Island. We support all ages of adults and children with physical and learning difficulties.
The Group has been based at Le Claires Stables in St John for the past 15 years and Donna Galloway’s ponies have been so patient and given our riders confidence and such enjoyment during their time riding. It is with great sadness that we must report that we have lost two of these wonderful ponies due to old age.
Becky and Mark, our UK based Development Coaches, have been here to assess all the Group coaches, which happens every 3 years. We have six coaches at the moment and are always looking for people to become Coaches which is such a fulfilling experience. Everyone has passed successfully, and we also held a very well attended volunteer training session.
Ryan Le Monnier attended the Riding for the Disabled UK National Championship Qualifiers in Cornwall riding the Grade 7 canter test. He was extremely successful as he won his class and qualified first for the Nationals which were held in July at Hartpury. He also won his class at the Nationals and qualified for the British Para Championships where he was placed 5th. A terrific result for Ryan and we must thank Becky and Mark for all their coaching and lending him Lexi to ride. Ryan has been extremely fortunate to have some great sponsors this year, including Jersey Sport, to allow him to travel and help him in his preparations to compete in England.
We have been busy raising funds this year to enable us to send the next group of young riders on a trip to the Calvert Trust in Exmoor in 2026. We have had some successful fund-raising events including our annual bridge tea in February and some generous donations to help us achieve the amount needed so this has been booked for next June. All our costs continue to rise, and the Group must work hard finding the money to continue providing the ten riding sessions for our riders each week during term time. We were very fortunate that one of our sponsors, the Roy Overland Trust, have been very generous and helped us pay for our pony fees throughout 2025.
Lucy and I would like to thank all our hardworking volunteers, as well as our dedicated volunteer Committee members and coaches who give up their free time so generously to help with our sessions. We continue to work tirelessly to give all those who apply to us the opportunity to ride so they can experience the enjoyment of being on a pony.
We wish you a Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Cathy Fricker and Lucy Johnson
Chairman & Joint Group Organiser
December 2025