Helen Hughes, Committee member and Tim Lofts, NSRDA Inc Past President and NSRDA Charitable Trust member, attended the awards night and were there to receive the trophy.  Well done to everyone in our organisation for making this happen.

Looking back at the year, as we noted in our first newsletter for 2025, we transitioned to a new riding programme at the start of the year that reduced our number of rides.  This reduced the load on coaching staff and volunteers, and increased quality time with riders, plus lowered the workload for our herd as we work to increase our horse numbers.  

In evaluating the change, we have had overwhelming support from Riders, their families, and our team.  It did mean of course that as we reduced the number of rides, we also reduced our income and helped fewer achieve our mission to ‘Reach More Riders and Change More Lives.’  

So, with this very much in my mind, in 2026 we plan to add an additional session on Thursdays at 1.30 pm.  Our coach-in-training, Kate, will coach an unmounted session for four clients, using two horses and two volunteers.  If this is a success and we have more demand, we will add a Monday session as well.  This way we can accommodate some of our riders who have ‘outgrown’ us and attract other clients who don’t fit our horses.  

Our last day of Riding this term was Monday 8th December and to say thank you to our staff and volunteers for their hard work during the year, we held our team Christmas Party on 5th December. With a tight budget, it was an inhouse celebration at the barn, with a roast dinner and a fun evening Line Dancing with Kylie, attended by seventy volunteers, staff and partners.  

Finally, to all our Friends of NSRDA, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We look forward to your support again in 2026.