Lockdown taking a toll on horse riding charity

THE closure of Omagh Riding For The Disabled Association not only means users are missing out on the therapeutic benefits of riding, but there is also serious financial implications facing the charitable facility.

The centre is fully closed apart from volunteers tending on the remaining four horses, who, during the recent spell of good weather, were out galloping in the RDA fields in Arvalee. The remainder of the horses are scattered with various families and owners, including Yuri, a bronze medal winner at the 2012 Paralympics in London who is with Omagh RDA trustee and coach Gwen Garrett.

“The volunteers are on a rota as we have to go in once a day to check on the horses, top up their feeding and water and check fences,” said Gwen.

“We are completely closed to service users. Riding for the disabled involves a lot of contact with each rider maybe needing up to three to four volunteers and instructors, so there is no way you can keep your distance.

“The only thing we can do is keep in touch with everyone and update them via Facebook and other social media channels on how the horses are doing and sharing photographs with them.”

Gwen said the service users are not only missing out on their equine therapy and equine assisted learning, but also the social aspects of attending the local centre.

She continued, “For those on the autistic spectrum, any change to their daily routine is very difficult for them so they would be really missing their classes here.

“At this time of year the instructors are usually working to prepare the riders for competitions, including the National Championships in England, which are all cancelled. Nothing builds a sense of self worth than actually winning something.”

As Omagh RDA is entirely dependant on raising funds, Gwen said it is worrying times as they don’t anticipate being open again until at least September.

“We don’t have any direct funding flow. This is the time of year we would do most of our fundraising, however all activities have now stopped,” said Gwen.

“We rely on individuals, schools or pony clubs using the facilities to give us a donation but that has all stopped. We also have our shows at this time of year to generate income.

“The direct debits for our bills are still going out so we are currently using what residual funds we have, which is a worry. We have been here for 35 years and will obviously continue in some shape or form, but it is unknown what the future holds. I don’t think things will go back to the way they were entirely so we will have to look to perhaps doing things differently. I don’t envisage being back before September at the earliest.”