Newbury Riding For The Disabled Limited - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05642114 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1121113

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

FOR

NEWBURY RIDING FOR THE DISABLED LIMITED

Page

Trustees' Report

1

to

4

Independent Examiner's Report

5

Statement of Financial Activities

6

Balance Sheet

7

to

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

15

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The object of the Charity is to provide therapeutic riding sessions and occasionally non-ridden sessions with our horses to benefit the health and wellbeing of children and young people with a physical or mental disability and/or learning difficulty in the Newbury area.

The Charity promotes the objectives of The Riding for the Disabled Association ("RDAUK") - a national charity registered under Charity Number 244108 - by providing people with disabilities the opportunity to ride and engage with horses to benefit their health and wellbeing.

Our aim is to make a positive and tangible difference to disabled people's fitness, core strength, coordination, balance, confidence, communication skills, enjoyment and general well-being through being with and/or riding horses.

The impact on the health and wellbeing of disabled people of RDA sessions was shown by an RDAUK impact report from October 2025 with responses from 754 parents and carers and 410 participants in the UK which indicated that RDA sessions improve participant mental wellbeing - 95% feel calm and focused during sessions; 72% are better able to regulate their emotions; 63% report long-term improvement to mood. The report also showed improved social connections - 82% feel more connected to others; 68% have improved communication skills; 65% have made friends through RDA; 70% feel more connected to or interested in nature. In terms of confidence, self-esteem and independence, 90% feel more confident about themselves; 71% are more independent; 95% are proud of what they've achieved. In terms of physical wellbeing, 71% have improved fine and/or gross motor skills; 88% have better posture, balance and co-ordination and 48% are more physically active outside of RDA. In terms of engagement with education, 64% are more relaxed or settled in general, including at school, work or college.

Public benefit

The trustees have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission. Benefits arise from the work of the charity in the positive impact on those children and young people that attend the classes. The benefits are described in the objectives and activities of the

Charity.

In 2025 we have given well over 1,400 riding lessons to over 100 different children with disabilities in the Newbury area.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Classes are organised in response to demand for lessons and normally we hold around 20 half hour therapeutic riding sessions per week which are tailored to each group of up to four children. We have groups of children from various local schools including Trinity, Priors Court, Yattendon Primary, Theale Primary, The Avenue Special School and Fir Tree and we also have other children who are either home schooled or given dispensation to come out of school for their RDA session who are put together in groups of up to four, depending on age and ability. At the end of the 2024/25 academic year we had 65 children who came for a weekly session with us and at the start of the 2025/26 academic year we have increased that to 69 per week.

The Charity employs a full-time stable manager who is responsible for the day to day running of the stables and care of the ponies and we also employ an additional person on a part-time basis for weekends or as required. In 2025 we had between 8 and 11 ponies at any one time either on loan or owned by the charity.

There are around 100 volunteers registered with the Charity, the majority of whom attend once a week to assist in the classes: roles include coaches (who are trained RDA instructors), pony leaders, side-walkers and administrators. Depending on the ability, a disabled rider may require up to 3 people to assist them whilst mounted on a pony; one to lead the pony and a person on each side (side walkers) to assist the rider.

The trustees and the volunteers continue to contribute significant time and energy in ensuring the ponies remain fit and well and their environment is safe and well maintained, and everyone involved in the organisation has been delighted to see our riders enjoying all the benefits that come with the RDA experience. It is this commitment of our volunteers that led to the Charity being granted the King's Award for Voluntary Service in 2024 which also reflects the benefit that we are able to provide to so many children in our local area.

As ever, one of the main challenges for the trustees is raising the necessary funds each year to keep the Charity running, particularly in the continuing difficult economic environment of rising costs and tight budgets. The Charity remains completely self-funded and is wholly reliant on fundraising events, donations (including any voluntary donations for the riding sessions themselves), bequests and grants to help cover the running costs, and as costs rise, so do the amounts we need to raise each year to cover them. Running costs include feed and general pony upkeep; farrier, vet and physio fees, staff salaries, rent and insurances.

Through a combination of specific fundraising initiatives and the support of a number of charitable trusts and generous individuals we have been able to generate just over £85,000, after deducting the direct fund-raising costs. This is lower than the equivalent £100,000 that we raised in 2024, which was boosted by our golf day which was not held in 2025.

2025's fundraising events raised a total of £27k. In May we held our annual Plant and Cake Sale which raised £3,622 (up from £2,766 the previous year); in September we held our first Autumn Gift Fair in Yattendon (a new venue after a break of a year) which raised £8,092; in October we held a talk about the Boer War which raise £3,193; in November we held a wine tasting evening 'Call My Wine Bluff' which raised £5,427 and then in December we held our second Carol Service with the Countess of Carnarvon as our special guest which raised £4,892.

During the year, we have benefitted from further support from the Greenham Trust, as well as generous grants from the Childwick Trust, the Berkshire Community Foundation, the Bothwell Trust and the Colefax Trust and some very generous one-off bequests and donations, as well as support from both regular and new donors and an increase in voluntary donations from our riders themselves.

The trustees always remain mindful of costs and, following on from the last few years, continue to manage spend as tightly as possible. Our biggest areas of regular expenditure remain the rent for the stable manager's cottage, permanent staff costs and the upkeep of ponies. Although in 2025 overall operating costs fell from £99k in 2024 to £93k in 2025, this was largely due to the one off costs in 2024 relating to the upgrade of both the electrics and the fencing at Wyld Court, so general property costs decreased by £15k. Counter to this, general pony care costs, including notably the cost of feed and vets charges increased by 27% from £19,980 in 2024 to £25,789 in 2025.

In total for 2025 the charity showed a surplus before depreciation of £6,251 versus a surplus in 2024 of £13,782. After depreciation, there was a deficit of £9,148 in 2025 versus a deficit of £1,857 in 2024.

Capital expenditure in the year was £10,723, which mainly consisted of £8,850 for 3 new ponies, and £1,429 for new saddles. We received £4,020 for the sale of two other ponies.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

As at 31st December 2025 the charity had net assets of £183,907, including cash balances of £124,327. Cash balances at the end of 2024 were £125,389.

Despite the never ending challenges, the trustees have continued to be very focused on securing funding support with good success and at the same time managing the overall cash balances of the Charity to ensure its ongoing viability. The trustees are pleased to confirm that the cash balances remain well in excess of £100,000 and the trustees are comfortable that the Charity remains a going concern for the foreseeable future.

Principal funding sources

The main source of funds are from voluntary donations, donations from riding lessons, grants and other fund raising activities.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the Charity to grow and maintain the overall cash reserves of the Charity at a level to cover pony care costs, management, administration and support costs of the Charity for a minimum of twelve months. The unrestricted reserves of the Charity also includes various fixed assets as well as cash, and of these unrestricted reserves £90,000 has been designated as a capital fund for the provision of alternative premises should the current lease be terminated in the future.

FUTURE PLANS

It will be the continued policy of the Charity to develop and maintain the existing activities.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 1st December 2005, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are appointed by the Board in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

05642114 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1121113

Registered office

25 St Thomas Street

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 9HJ

Trustees

L M Atherton

D A Browne (resigned 20.10.2025)

J N Campbell-Harris

S Glazbrook

L Heneghan (appointed 20.10.2025)

R Martin

F L Morris

C M Rowe

J Vause (appointed 20.10.2025)

C A Wilson (resigned 31.12.2025)

Independent Examiner

L Dixon FCA

Martin and Company

25 St Thomas Street

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 9HJ

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 22nd April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

J N Campbell-Harris - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Newbury Riding For The Disabled Limited ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

L Dixon FCA

Martin and Company

25 St Thomas Street

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 9HJ

23rd April 2026

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Total

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

58,571

60,339

Charitable activities

Fundraising events

27,129

44,568

Investment income

3

2,069

3,207

Total

87,769

108,114

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

1,872

8,261

Charitable activities

4

Riding for the Disabled

95,045

101,710

Total

96,917

109,971

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(9,148

)

(1,857

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

193,055

194,912

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

183,907

193,055

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Total

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

10

58,472

67,565

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

11

5,844

2,846

Cash at bank and in hand

124,327

125,389

130,171

128,235

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

12

(4,736

)

(2,745

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

125,435

125,490

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

183,907

193,055

NET ASSETS

183,907

193,055

FUNDS

13

Unrestricted funds:

General fund

93,907

103,055

Designated capital fund

90,000

183,907

193,055

TOTAL FUNDS

183,907

193,055

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st December 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 22nd April 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

J N Campbell-Harris - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Ponies

-

20% on reducing balance

Plant and machinery

-

25% on reducing balance

Fixtures and fittings

-

20% on reducing balance

Outdoor arena

-

Straight line over the life of the lease

Tack

-

25% on reducing balance

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for the particular purposes within the objects of the charitable company. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2025

2024

£

Donations

19,423

26,083

Gift aid

1,836

1,844

Riding lesson donations

12,342

9,098

Grants

24,970

23,314

58,571

60,339

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2025

2024

£

Deposit account interest

2,069

3,207

4.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Direct

Support

Costs (see

costs (see

note 5)

note 6)

Totals

£

Riding for the Disabled

93,029

2,016

95,045

5.	DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Staff costs

22,472

21,652

Rent

13,236

13,151

Rates and water

2,144

2,052

Insurance

3,128

2,698

Light and heat

1,377

1,449

Office costs

1,451

1,253

Sundries

1,468

959

Pony care

7,252

3,478

Bedding

823

1,036

Dentist

305

240

Farrier

2,080

2,585

Feed

8,517

6,094

Physio

640

560

Tack

1,711

1,412

Rugs

378

1,946

Vets & medicines

4,083

2,629

Repairs to property & general maintenance

4,253

19,747

Equipment & motor expenses

412

644

Training

1,057

-

Show costs

176

-

Professional fees

210

200

Bank charges

60

166

Carried forward

77,233

83,951

2025

2024

£

Brought forward

77,233

83,951

Depreciation

15,399

15,639

Loss/(profit) on disposal of assets

397

-

93,029

99,590

6.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

costs

£

Riding for the Disabled

2,016

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

Governance costs

2025

2024

Riding

for the

Total

Disabled

activities

£

Independent examiner's fees

2,016

2,120

7.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

Depreciation - owned assets

11,066

15,639

Other operating leases

13,236

13,151

Deficit on disposal of fixed assets

397

-

8.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st December 2025 nor for the year ended 31st December 2024.

Trustees' expenses

Expenses totalling £2,078 were reimbursed to five Trustees in the year. These expenses related to autumn fair, carol service, pony care, tack and maintenance costs incurred on behalf of the charity.

9.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025

2024

Stable manager

1

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

10.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Plant and

and

Ponies

machinery

fittings

£

COST

At 1st January 2025

18,450

26,560

20,105

Additions

8,850

444

-

Disposals

(8,750

)

-

At 31st December 2025

18,550

27,004

20,105

DEPRECIATION

At 1st January 2025

11,539

19,057

12,173

Charge for year

(2,065

)

1,987

1,617

At 31st December 2025

9,474

21,044

13,790

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31st December 2025

9,076

5,960

6,315

At 31st December 2024

6,911

7,503

7,932

Outdoor

arena

Tack

Totals

£

COST

At 1st January 2025

59,822

5,019

129,956

Additions

-

1,429

10,723

Disposals

-

(8,750

)

At 31st December 2025

59,822

6,448

131,929

DEPRECIATION

At 1st January 2025

17,092

2,530

62,391

Charge for year

8,546

981

11,066

At 31st December 2025

25,638

3,511

73,457

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31st December 2025

34,184

2,937

58,472

At 31st December 2024

42,730

2,489

67,565

11.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade debtors

99

1

Prepayments and accrued income

5,745

2,845

5,844

2,846

12.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade creditors

36

553

Social security and other taxes

1,111

192

Other creditors

1,589

-

Accrued expenses

2,000

4,736

2,745

13.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.25

in funds

31.12.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

103,055

(9,148

)

93,907

Designated capital fund

90,000

-

90,000

193,055

(9,148

)

183,907

TOTAL FUNDS

193,055

(9,148

)

183,907

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

87,769

(96,917

)

(9,148

)

TOTAL FUNDS

87,769

(96,917

)

(9,148

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.24

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

104,912

(1,857

)

103,055

Designated capital fund

90,000

-

90,000

194,912

(1,857

)

193,055

TOTAL FUNDS

194,912

(1,857

)

193,055

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

108,114

(109,971

)

(1,857

)

TOTAL FUNDS

108,114

(109,971

)

(1,857

)

14.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st December 2025.

15.

FUNDS

Unrestricted funds comprise a general fund and a designated capital fund. The general fund is the fund which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the Charitable objects. The designated fund is a fund created so that there are the financial resources to find an alternative site should the current lease terminate. Of the total unrestricted reserves the Trustees have designated £90,000 to be retained for this purpose.