BCM Journal, Isle of Wight Edition 2023

Wight Horse CIC
So, you think horse riding is for the elite? The wealthy? The able bodied and not for you? Think again…
Wight Horse Community
Interest Company (CIC)
based at the Island Riding
Centre outside Newport is changing
the rules for local residents. The notfor-profit
organisation is focused on
providing equestrian activities for
children and adults with physical
limitations, special educational needs
and social and financial difficulties.
Their aim is ‘to make horse riding
accessible for everyone, whatever their
situation and provide subsidised and,
where possible free, riding, training
clinics and stable management activities
for children and adults from less fortunate
backgrounds who would otherwise be
excluded’.
In just a few short years they have worked
with local schools, community centres,
the local authority and island-based
charities and individuals to provide
a range of activities from pony rides,
lessons and holiday activities that have
had a positive impact on many lives.
Here are just a few examples of the
projects and people Wight Horse CIC
has been able to support:
Small groups from Barton Primary
School in Newport have been attending
the Island Riding Centre since February
2020 for one morning a week, helping
around the yard with the horses as well
as riding.
The free sessions run for 90 minutes
followed by a packed lunch in the
children’s playground before returning
to school. Our favourite quotation from
the children is “my best part was filling
the massive hay net, grooming the pony
and riding. What I found funny was
when we were cleaning out the stable
the teacher got some poo on his foot. I
had so much fun I wish I could go back
again”.
Working with the local authority
through the Connect4Communities
project Wight Horse CIC has supported
the Island Riding Centre in providing
a holiday activities programme for over
1000 Island children in receipt of free
school meals. These free holiday activities
sessions lasting 4 hours provide not only
horse riding, stable management and
fun learning sessions but also a hot meal
and snacks for every child.
With the support of the Isle of Wight
Mental Health Trust, the Issoropia
Foundation has been able to send small
groups of adults to spend time with the
horses fortnightly, ride and improve their
general well-being and confidence.
A combined effort from Ryde School
and Wave 105 FM raised funds to
acquire the Island’s first motorised parahoist
capable of lifting a wheelchair
bound person straight from their chair
onto a horse. A heart-warming moment
saw Stephen Benson, who suffers with
cerebral palsy, ride a horse for the first
time in over 20 years. His emotional
mum Carol said “Many years ago
when Steven was a lot smaller he used
to absolutely love horse riding, but
unfortunately due to his size it became
impossible to lift him up onto a horse.
This opportunity now enables him to get
back in the saddle and enjoy an activity
he loves. It will also enable others like
Steven to take full advantage of this
facility which is fantastic”
For Christmas 2021 Wight Horse with
the support of Spithead Business Centre
in Lake was able to provide free pony
pamper sessions for 100 children as
part of the IOW Radio Christmas Toy
Appeal and was pleased to support Pan
Community Centre with free pony rides
too.
Following a visit by the Princess Royal
to see the great work being carried out
by Wight Horse a donation from her
Charities Trust funded the CIC working
with The Garden Classroom to provide
a combined forest school and equine
project for Island children in February
half term this year.
Like most charitable and community
interest companies, Wight Horse CIC
is constantly looking at ways to generate
funds in addition to the donations it
receives. The Bit on the Side Café based
at the Island Riding Centre’s arena is
run by local volunteers and all profits go
directly into the CIC.
At the time of writing Wight Horse
is organising what is hoped to be the
Island’s largest attended quiz night with
over 100 teams raising much needed
funds with a raffle and silent auction.
If you can spare any time to help or
are looking for somewhere new to have
tea and cake and meet some of the
centre’s many farm animals or let your
children play in the playground, please
do support them.
The Isle of Wight Foundation run by
Island Roads and Wight Aid have also
generously supported Wight Horse CIC
in providing funds for specialist riding
equipment for riders with physical
disabilities.
Additional funds will benefit people
suffering from autism, dementia and
mental health issues as well as school
excluded and children under the Young
Offenders Team (YOT). There are many
more young people out there who could
benefit from the great work Wight Horse
CIC is doing and any financial support
or donation would be warmly welcomed.
For more information or to donate
please email info@wighthorse.co.uk.
Photos: contributed
72 BCM Journal