Chigwell Riding Trust For Special Needs

15/01/2025

Your signs for today are 🙂

14/01/2025

12/01/2025

I have a selection of photos taken over the weekend but I apologise for the quality of today’s photos. They are not my best and I am putting it down to the cold affecting my brain 🤣

I would just like to say how lovely it was having everyone back for 2025. Thank you to all the volunteers 👏👏

And let’s have some warmer weather please 😉

10/01/2025

It just seems to be getting colder and colder but we and the equines are hanging on in there. Well done to all the riders and volunteers who came today. You are stars 🌟

08/01/2025

It’s so lovely that despite the really cold weather our riders come in full of enthusiasm. Well done to them and of course to our wonderful volunteers 👏👏👏

08/01/2025

Two more signs for the day 🙂

07/01/2025

My goodness me, what a chilly day today but it has been a good one. It was lovely welcoming back some of our riders for 2025. It was also great seeing the volunteers returning too. Well done one and all 👏👏

04/01/2025

Where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe that I started at Chigwell Riding Trust For Special Needs, formerly Pony Riding for Disabled Trust 43 yrs ago today. Being honest if I had another 43yrs I would do it all again. There have been so many changes over the decades but to name just two….. there was very little Health & Safety, not that I ever took risks! Secondly we had no internet and one can go on and on with that.
Over the years I have literally met thousands of lovely people whether it be riders, volunteers, supporters, and staff. They and you are all very special people and I consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world to have been involved with CRT all this time.
The photo was taken in the late eighties when I paid for curls and had no grey hair and this probably is the first photo bomb ever, sadly I can’t remember his name 🤣

03/01/2025

It’s great getting the horses slowly back into work. They seemed really keen to go for some hacks.
It was also enjoyable giving a ride to Rob (Grange Farm manager) and Kirsty’s children, Rosie and Max. Rob does so much to keep the loop in good order for our riders to go around. It’s a small way to say thank you.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year to you all. Let’s hope that 2025 will be a peaceful, healthy and enjoyable for everyone. Many of you know Chigwell riding trust for special needs celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. What a milestone we reached. Especially as we are the first riding centre of its kind in the world. We celebrated with a wonderful Ball in April which was attended by many. With many supporters there and fantastic auction prizes too, a great time was had by all.
We also held our 60th Open Day. Speaking personally, having been here for over 40 years the highlight for me was seeing riders, volunteers and staff from each decade and what made it even more special was meeting Christine Beesley who was the very first groom here in 1964. It was lovely having Holderness Roddam as our guest of honour. We had some lovely riding displays and Long Sevice Awards were presented to some of our fantastic volunteers.
In July we had a very successful time competing at the RDA National Championship at Hartpury taking five riders and four horses. All riders ended up in the ribbons. For the fist time we also competed in the RDA Virtual Championships in the autumn and again we were very successful.

We have had a few changes with equines but I’m pleased to say we didn’t lose any. However we welcome Gryffin and Poppy to the team.

I still find it very rewarding seeing what our riders can achieve. From taking that first step or saying their first word to gaining eye contact for that very first time, they are all great achievements. CRT really is a very special place working its magic.

Just to conclude, I cannot thank our supporters and sponsors enough, you do make such a difference. Then of course there are our wonderful volunteers, you are worth your weight in gold. Lastly, what a team I have with my staff. Richard A Watsonhas become a brilliant Assistant Manager, Gaynor Brown and Emma Bonham are dedicated coaches and of course Jemma Groves and Jasmine Butler who love the horses and work their socks off on the yard. Of course I cannot forget my secretary Pat Tierney who does so much in the office and keeps me in check. The last person I would like to thank is Ken. He does so much behind the scenes both for me and CRT. I could not have managed without him. Yes at times CRT does have challenges but they are always addressed quickly. My well known saying of Onwards and Upwards is so true. Here is to our next decade.

Some festive photos to view 😃

01/01/2025

Your first signs for 2025 😃

31/12/2024

Today has been full on and when one thinks about it so has our 60th year. I promise a fuller posting tomorrow 😉

As the weather is going to be terrible tomorrow we decided it was best to have all the horses and ponies home and stabled. So this morning Ken and I went to pick up Bobby andd Jack from Ann & Danny Reilly who live near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. Then this afternoon I went with Gaynor to Linda and Ian Plaster, to pick up Pip, Paddy, Sunny and Tansy. They are now all snug in their stables. Emma sorted them on their return

I cannot thank the Reilly’s or the Plaster’s enough. You certainly made a big difference to the equines and our Christmas.

If you are venturing out tonight? Have a fabulous evening and take care. Here’s to a peaceful, healthy and happy 2025 🍾🥂🤞🤞

25/12/2024

A great team came in this morning. Obviously the equines haven’t a clue it’s Christmas. All is well 🤸‍♂️🤸🏼🤸‍♂️

From L - R Gaynor, Karen and Helen. Well done girls and thank you 🎄###