Emergency funding boost for Mansfield's disabled horse riding school

Woodside Farm Stables Riding for the Disabled has been awarded £5,999.

Woodside Farm Stables Riding for the Disabled, based at Eastfield Farm, King’s Clipstone, has been awarded £5,999 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards essential daily care costs for horses and to cover insurance commitments during the on-going Covid-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 has left the charity stables facing a period of uncertainty.

In response to so many facing a similar situation, Sport England announced a £195million package to help the sport and physical activity sector through Covid-19.

The grant will allow Woodside Farm Stables to overcome the challenges unexpectedly faced due to the pandemic and allow the charity to move forward with confidence that the service can be resumed and expanded as soon as restrictions are lifted.

A trustee of the charity said: “After 49 years operating at Woodside Farm Stables in Rainworth, 21 years of those as an independent charity, a decision late last year to move to Eastfield Farm, King’s Clipstone, promised a secure future with exciting prospects.

“The horses enjoyed a period of rest and acclimatisation. A big relaunch was on track for April 2020, only for the coronavirus pandemic to stop plans before they started.

“With no income as expected from riding donations the future was bleak with development plans put on hold.

“This timely grant will bridge the gap by meeting bed, breakfast and trotting costs over four months for the horses, as well as regulatory insurance costs.

“It will ensure that our young disabled clients can continue to benefit from the physical, sensory and social experience horse riding provides.

“The charity is grateful for the vision of Sport England and the National Lottery in providing such support.”

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s chief executive, said: “We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Woodside to help it through these extremely challenging times.”