Last week, The Links Group made the trip to Meadows Equestrian Centre in Northern Ireland to be a part of an event focused on safeguarding in the equestrian world.
Organised by Leonard Consultancy, and supported and expertly catered for by Creightons, this evening meeting was well attended by representatives from across the equine sporting and therapies fields.
The meeting was opened by organiser Marcella Leonard, director of Leonard Consultancy, independent social worker and internationally recognised expert in safeguarding in sport. Marcella is also the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Sport Strategic Group in Northern Ireland.
Marcella provided the context from which the meeting arose, provided an overview of the agenda and introduced the speakers. Paul Stephenson of NSPCC Sport (the new name for the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit) gave an overview of safeguarding as it applies to sport across the island of Ireland and related it to the situations in GB. This was followed by The Links Group’s strategic delivery lead, Andrea Lynch, talking about ‘The Link’, why it’s relevant in the equestrian arena, and the need for multi-agency working north and south of the border.
After a welcome refreshment break on an extremely warm evening, Marcella’s colleague and well-known equestrienne Charlotte Creighton gave an overview of “Safe Yard”©, the new certification system she and Marcella have created which will allow a bespoke approach to safeguarding on individual yards.
This was followed by an active question and answer session which demonstrated the enthusiasm of those in the room to promote the welfare of the horse and those working with them.
We look forward to the team from Leonard Consultancy talking more about “Safe Yard”© at our upcoming event organised by and held at Riding for the Disabled Association’s Causeway Coast & Glens branch on 30 September 2026. With speakers, panellists and exhibitors from Leonard Consultancy/“Safe Yard”©, Women’s Aid, the NSPCC, the PSNI, The Links Group, White Ribbon NI, The Executive Office and more, this is shaping up to be a busy event discussing coercive control, community, challenges and co-operation in the equestrian setting and across the island of Ireland.
Booking has now opened, and the first 50 delegates to register will receive a free copy of Professor Jane Monckton-Smith’s book “In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder”, with one signed copy up for grabs in a raffle with proceeds going to the RDA Causeway Coast & Glens. With thanks to Professor Monckton-Smith and the Homicide Timeline team for this very kind gesture.
Priced at £20 per head to allow us to cover costs, attendance will earn BHS CPD points/RDA CPD hours.
Find out more about the day on our Training Events page and follow us on socials as further details and information on speakers are released.
To join us and be in with a chance of getting your free copy of “In Control”, log in or register via this link, book on to the event, check out at My Basket and we’ll welcome you in September!
