A Mother’s Story of Belonging.

Pegasus is Possibility, Pride and Purpose

Mary Lishomwa’s daughter Abigail is a Pegasus rider. She’s also bright, funny, determined and full of humour. She is non-verbal, lives with Rett syndrome, and expresses herself in ways that most people wouldn’t expect. Through her eyes, her presence, and more recently, a speech-generating device, Abigail has found her voice in the world.

Mary with her daughter Abigail.

For Mary, the journey of raising Abigail has been one of continual adjustment. The diagnosis of Rett syndrome arrived just after Abigail turned three, and with it came a deep and lasting shift in their lives. “It took away any chance of Abigail living an independent life and threw me into the role of full-time carer,” Mary reflects. “I had to let go of the future I thought we were heading towards and suddenly reimagine everything. I live in a state of hyper-vigilance, because every little change in my daughter could be the beginning of losing yet another skill. It is often heartbreaking…”

Reminiscing the day of Abigail’s diagnosis.

In that space of uncertainty and constant care, Pegasus emerged as something extraordinary. The first time they came to Pegasus, Mary wasn’t sure what to expect. So few programs truly cater to children with complex needs, and most require parents to do the heavy lifting to make them work. Pegasus was different. “Knowing that it was specifically tailored for people with disability gave me hope,” she says. “I thought maybe this is somewhere Abigail could feel a sense of achievement. And what little girl doesn’t want to ride a horse?”

Abigails experiencing Pegasus ‘Magic’ (2022)

Since then, the experience has been transformative, not just for Abigail, but for Mary too. “Pegasus is one of the very few places where I feel safe to let go, where I know she will be looked after,” she says. “That means I get to just be a proud mum. I get to take photos and cheer from the sidelines instead of being the one managing every detail.”

L: Proud Mum Mary, watching from the sidelines R: Abigail’s independence

Abigail’s favourite pony is Blossom, a calm and gentle presence with whom she shares a natural rhythm. “Abigail loves to trot, and Blossom was always up for it. Even on difficult days, when Abigail’s body wasn’t cooperating, Blossom would just stand quietly beside her, ears turned towards her as if listening. There is this unspoken connection between them that is hard to put into words.” Mary recalls a moment that struck her deeply, one that demonstrated just how profound that connection can be. “After she had finished her ride, someone asked if she wanted to pat the horse. Now, Abigail has no functional hand use because of Rett. She can’t hold things or point. But she turned, walked back and tried to stroke the pony. She reached out her hand multiple times. That was an enormous effort for her. I had tears in my eyes.”

Moments like that are part of what makes Pegasus so meaningful. It is a space where every effort is understood, and every achievement is celebrated.

“Abigail is clever, cheeky and absolutely full of sass,” Mary says with a smile. “Through her device, she’s been learning to communicate in ways that let her personality shine through. She continues to surprise me with what she says and how she says it. And let me tell you, she can nag like any other tween when she wants something.”

At Pegasus, those traits are encouraged and welcomed. “The team go out of their way to understand her. Abigail’s time there is completely tailored to her. There is never any judgement. We are welcomed no matter what kind of day we are having. And over time, I have watched real friendships develop between Abigail and the team. That is powerful.”

Staff, coaches and volunteers combined care and friendships are boundless.

It is not just the sense of safety or belonging that matters. Pegasus has also had a profound impact on Abigail’s physical development. “I have seen her thrive physically from being on a horse,” Mary explains. “Her core and leg strength and posture improved within just one term. The physical benefits for a child like mine to be on a horse cannot be understated. But Pegasus gives us so much more.” It gives them connection, confidence, and something many families like theirs rarely find. It gives space to feel proud. “Once a week, Abigail gets to do something special, and she knows it. That sense of pride is priceless.”

L: Limted core and leg strength, requiring constant physical support (2021) R: Riding strength beyond regression (2025)

L: Mum Mary’s shows courage, watching from afar R: Visible grit and determination

She has seen the impact of Pegasus ripple through every part of their life, and she is passionate about making sure other families get the chance to experience that same magic. “We need to do whatever we can to help Pegasus not only continue its work, but to grow. It has so much to offer. And it doesn’t just benefit the participant. Everyone who comes into contact with Pegasus gets something from it. Parents, carers, volunteers, donors. There is something deeply human about what happens there.”

Mary says it best. “This place has helped my daughter shine. It has given her joy and given me moments of relief, of hope, of pride. I want others to have that too.”

On Saturday 25 October, the Golden Gala Ball will be held in celebration of everything Pegasus has achieved and in support of everything it still can. It will be a night of connection, storytelling, generosity and community.

You are invited to be part of it. Join us, hear the stories, and help ensure that Pegasus continues to shine for generations to come. Book your ticket now via https://www.trybooking.com/CZGDV

Shine for a Cause

A Golden Gala to Celebrate 50 Years of Pegasus Magic

This year marks a milestone like no other for Pegasus Riding for the Disabled. In 2025, we proudly celebrate 50 years of service to the Canberra community, half a century of life-changing experiences, joyful moments, and the quiet magic that happens when horses and humans come together.

A Tall order – 1996 Not too close – 1996

To honour this incredible legacy, Pegasus invites you to the centerpiece of our anniversary celebrations: a Golden Gala Ball aptly title “Shine for a Cause”, to be held on Saturday 25 October 2025 at the National Arboretum Canberra.

This unforgettable evening will bring together advocates, past and present, for a night of elegance, impact, and heartfelt connection. Guests will enjoy sunset canapés, dinner, live entertainment, and stories that capture the essence of Pegasus, stories of courage, progress and transformation.

The Golden Gala is not just a celebration. It is a call to action. Pegasus continues to rely on the generosity of the community to fund the essential parts of the program that cannot be covered by government or participant contributions.

Every dollar raised at the Gala supports the future of horse-assisted mounted and unmounted programs for children and adults living with disability.

It helps care for the horses who make our work possible. It supports our accredited coaches and the incredible volunteers who show up every week. And most importantly, it keeps Pegasus accessible to families who need it most. Every dollar is more than just financial support, it is a moment of hope, joy, and transformation for a Pegasus participant.

Pegasus began in 1973, when local therapist Judith Burns asked horsewoman Bid Williams to provide pony rides for children at Canberra Hospital. With two ponies offered by Forrest Park Riding School and the support of Ruth Squair and Marcel Judd, a small weekly activity sparked something extraordinary. What followed was the formation of Pegasus Riding for the Disabled ACT, an organisation that has since changed thousands of lives.

Chaff Bucket – 1996 Grooming Time – 1996

Participants with founder, Bid Williams

Over the past five decades, Pegasus has delivered more than just programs. It has created connection. It has helped participants gain balance, mobility, independence and confidence. It has offered parents a place to belong and volunteers a sense of purpose. Above all, it has shown what’s possible when kindness, community, and belief come together.

Participant with Darby – 2021

We now invite you to be part of the next 50 years. Whether you are a long-time supporter or are just discovering the Pegasus mission, this is your moment to shine for a cause.

Please come along and help us make magic happen for years to come.

Book your tickets today at trybooking.com

Photo Credits

Black and White, Heidi Smith

Colour, Margo Wade

Netier Pegasus Charity Golf Day 2025

A SWINGING SUCCESS: Pegasus’s 2025 Golf Day Brings Sunshine, Swings & Smiles!

The 2025 Pegasus Golf Day, proudly sponsored by Netier, was a wonderful success, bringing together the community for a fantastic day of golf, camaraderie, and fundraising.

As this year’s Naming Day Sponsor, Netier demonstrated their strong commitment to the Pegasus community through active involvement and generous support. Founder and Managing Director, Gordon Hayes, inspired attendees as a guest speaker, sharing valuable insights and highlighting the importance of community partnerships.

We were delighted to have inspiring guest speaker Mary Lishomwa share her story, accompanied by her daughter Abigail, a participant at Pegasus. Abigail’s infectious energy and charm significantly contributed to the day’s enjoyment and fundraising success.

Perfect weather allowed golfers to showcase their skills on pristine greens generously provided by Fairbairn Golf Club. Friendly competition was enjoyed by all, with special congratulations going to this year’s standout teams:

1st Place: AHS Scaffolding
2nd Place: Parbery
3rd Place: Omni Executive
Wooden Spoon: Parbery (great sports once again!)

Participants enjoyed delicious food kindly donated by Supa Express Florey, while refreshments from Shotclock Coffee kept energy levels high throughout the day. The festivities continued with a popular wine-tasting experience and donated prizes thanks to Contentious Character.

A special thank you goes to Kay and Grant Ferguson for their invaluable assistance in organising the event, as well as our dedicated volunteers: Eva, the Netier team, Simone, Faith, Felix, and the Pegasus staff who generously dedicated their time. Exceptional photography by Steve Moxey beautifully captured memories from the day.

Heartfelt thanks to all players, sponsors, volunteers, and participants who made the 2025 Pegasus Golf Day so memorable. Your generosity continues to empower Pegasus to support individuals and their families in achieving greater abilities.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Celebrating 50 Years of Pegasus: A Legacy of Changing Lives

This year, 2025, marks the 50^th year of Pegasus Riding for the Disabled supporting and empowering children and individuals living with disabilities. For half a century, Pegasus has been a place of joy, strength, and transformation, and this milestone year is all about celebrating that legacy. But more than just looking back, 2025 is about showing how Pegasus changes lives today—through powerful stories, incredible experiences, and an exciting calendar of fundraising events. From the much-loved Golf Day, Race Day, and Open Day to new and exciting additions like a Mother’s Day celebration and a Gala Ball, this year is about bringing the community together to honour the past and secure the future of this incredible organisation.

In 1973, local horsewoman Bid Williams was approached by Judith Burns, a therapist at Canberra Hospital, with a heartfelt request: to provide pony rides for children with disabilities. Recognising the profound impact such an experience could offer, Bid, alongside Ruth Squair, collaborated with Marcel Judd of Forrest Park Riding School, who generously provided two ponies for weekly sessions. This simple act of kindness laid the foundation for what would become Pegasus Riding for the Disabled. (pegasusact.com.au)

Over the past five decades, Pegasus has blossomed into a beacon of hope and transformation in the Canberra community. Through horse-related activities, countless individuals, predominantly children, have discovered newfound strength, confidence, and joy. The rhythmic motion of riding not only aids in physical development—enhancing coordination, balance, and muscle strength—but also fosters psychological well-being, offering a sense of freedom and accomplishment.

At the heart of Pegasus lies its dedicated community of volunteers and supporters. Jo Kennedy, Pegasus’s Relationship and Events Manager, highlights the importance of this support: “While the delivery of our programs relies heavily on volunteers, Pegasus requires funding from the community to assist with the elements of our operations that come at a financial cost.” (cscc.com.au)

The true impact of Pegasus is best reflected in the voices of its riders. One participant shared: “Pegasus is the place, above all others that I’ve experienced, where everyone, horse and human, is respected and cared about and looked after.” (pegasusact.com.au)

As Pegasus embarks on its 50th-anniversary celebrations, it stands as a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and the unique bond between humans and horses. Through its incredible events, inspiring stories, and the unwavering support of the Canberra community, 2025 will be a year to remember – one that honours the past while ensuring Pegasus continues to change lives for generations to come.

Join us in celebrating 50 years of Pegasus. To learn more, support the cause, or get involved in the upcoming events, visit Pegasus Riding for the Disabled.

The importance of Coaches and Volunteers to Pegasus?

Coaches and volunteers play a crucial role in delivering the extraordinary benefits of equine therapy at Pegasus Riding for the Disabled. It’s their expertise, support, individualized attention, emotional connection, and community engagement that contribute to the overall success and positive outcomes of our therapy programs.

What this looks like is:

Expertise and Guidance: Coaches bring valuable expertise in horsemanship, riding techniques, and equine-assisted therapy. They provide guidance and instruction to participants, ensuring their safety and helping them improve their riding skills. Coaches are trained to adapt therapy sessions to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities, maximizing the therapeutic benefits of the program.

Safety and Support: As we know, equine therapy involves working with horses, sentient animals that can understand and react to their surroundings, and create connections with people. Coaches and volunteers ensure the safety of participants by closely monitoring their interactions with the horses and providing immediate assistance if needed. Their presence instils confidence and a sense of security among participants, enabling them to fully engage in the therapy.

Individualised Attention: Each participant in equine therapy may have unique physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. Coaches and volunteers provide individualized attention, tailoring the therapy sessions to meet the specific needs and goals of each participant. They observe progress, make necessary adjustments, and offer support throughout the therapy process.

Emotional Connection: Coaches and volunteers build relationships with participants, fostering a sense of trust and rapport. The bond formed between the participants and these supportive individuals, as well as with the horses themselves, can be a powerful source of emotional healing and growth. Coaches and volunteers provide a compassionate and understanding environment, helping participants develop self-confidence and emotional resilience.

Community Engagement: Equine therapy programs like Pegasus rely on volunteers from our local community. These volunteers contribute their time, energy, and skills to support the program’s operations. Their involvement creates a sense of community engagement, raising awareness about disabilities and the benefits of equine therapy. Volunteers also play a vital role in organizing events, fundraising, and promoting the program to a broader audience.

In summary, Coaches and Volunteers are instrumental in delivering the extraordinary benefits of equine therapy at Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, it’s not just our horses that create the magic of Pegasus, it’s a full team effort.

Social Good Communities

Keen to connect your #SOCIALGOOD VALUES with Pegasus Riding for the Disabled?

Pegasus is first and foremost a community organisation focused on delivering “magical” therapeutic horse experiences to children and adults with disability. It’s our local #socialgood community efforts that help Pegasus provide these empowering experiences to those in need.

Following are some ways in which you too could join Pegasus’s #socialgood community to help continue the Pegasus story now and well into the future:

Volunteer Support: Members of our #socialgood community offer their time and skills as volunteers at Pegasus, by assisting with horse care, stable management, and riding lessons. Volunteers also provide administrative support, fundraising assistance, and help with organising events.

Fundraising Campaigns: Our #socialgood community initiates and participates in fundraising campaigns to support Pegasus. This can include online crowdfunding efforts, social media campaigns, charity events, and partnerships with local businesses. The funds raised are used to improve the facilities, purchase specialised equipment, and support the operational costs of our organisation.

Spread Awareness: Our #socialgood community use their influence and networks to raise awareness about Pegasus Riding for the Disabled. By sharing information about our mission, success stories, and ongoing initiatives, community members help attract more attention, volunteers, and potential donors.

Skill Sharing: Our #socialgood community comprises individuals with diverse skills and expertise. They contribute their professional knowledge by providing training sessions or workshops for Pegasus staff and volunteers. For example, experts in equine therapy or adaptive sports offer their insights and guidance to enhance the quality of services provided by Pegasus.

Collaborations and Partnerships: Our #socialgood community facilitates collaborations and partnerships between Pegasus and other organisations, businesses, or institutions that share similar goals. These collaborations help expand the reach of Pegasus and provide additional resources and support to our organisation.

Advocacy and Policy Support: Community members advocate for inclusive policies and regulations that benefit organisations like Pegasus. They engage in conversations with local authorities, policymakers, and influencers to promote the importance of disability-inclusive recreational activities and therapy pathways and aid in securing necessary resources for Pegasus and similar initiatives.

By leveraging the collective power of our #socialgood community, Pegasus Riding for the Disabled receives increased support, resources, and visibility, ultimately benefiting individuals with disabilities and enabling them to experience the therapeutic and empowering benefits of horse riding and horse love, and its MAGIC.

If you are interested in joining our #socialgood community, contact Matt Watson, CEO – matt.watson@pegasusact.com.au or Jo Kennedy, Fundraising and Event Coordinator – fundraising@pegasusact.com.au or phone (02)6254 9190.

A big cheer for our Volunteers!

Where would Pegasus be without out Volunteers? This is easy to answer… closed.

This is why our Volunteers are revered and must be recognised for all they do. What our Volunteers do is varied, with each person, role, and task being just as critical as the other, as it all comes together to make the “Magic of Pegasus” happen.

Volunteers are vital to the operation and delivery of Pegasus’ horse-facilitated therapy programs and activities which assist children, youth, and adults with disabilities. On any given week over the school term, and in our school holiday programs, over 100 volunteers give their time to assist in delivering our programs and support our participants emotional, physical social and mental well-being.

Being a volunteer at Pegasus has lots of personal benefits too. The selfless act of contributing time, effort and talent to our need, cause, and mission can bring meaning and purpose to one’s life, while increasing self-esteem and wellbeing. Volunteering can also relieve stress and alleviate symptoms of depression (ref: healthdirect.gov.au), whilst having a positive impact on our community.

As a Volunteer at Pegasus, you’ll get to:

Meet new people and make new friends.
Have fun whilst giving back to the community.
Learn new skills.
Give your time when it suits you, as we are flexible with many needs, which allows you to work around your existing commitments.
Make a difference.

Featured – The Side-walker

During Pegasus lessons the Side-walker plays an integral role for each mounted rider as they are the person responsible for the rider, and they work in a team with the Coach and the Leader. The Side-walker will help the rider to engage with the class and encourage and assist them with participating in class activities as instructed or where needed.

They:

Greet and escort the rider to and the mounting area.
Assist the rider to correctly fit their riding helmet.
Check that the rider is correctly attired for riding.
Ensure that special equipment is available and correctly fitted to the horse (NB: some riders require special equipment depending on the disability).
Monitor the rider for fatigue or discomfort (and bring any of these to the Coaches attention).

Other greatly appreciated Volunteer roles are:

Program Leaders who are responsible for the horses.
Stable hands who assist with maintaining stables, feeding equipment and yards, who also focus on the health and well-being of Pegasus Ponies.
Green-thumbs who assist with beautifying gardens and overall farm maintenance.
Event Volunteers who simply pitch in wherever they can to help make our fundraising drives successful.

Our valued Volunteers come from:

Corporate groups where companies want their teams to experience the open air and heart-warming ‘feels’ of the horses and our participants, who are focused on skills-based volunteering initiatives where staff can leverage their specialised skills (that will strengthen the infrastructure of Pegasus).
Virtual environments where Volunteers completes tasks offsite for Pegasus.
Environmental groups who contribute towards environmental management or conservation of Pegasus Farm; where they can conduct a range of activities such as land monitoring and ecological restoration such as re-vegetation and weed removal.
Schools and Colleges who endeavour to provide opportunities for students to learn the true meaning of “social goodness” via service-learning programs. Students get to experience meeting new people from all walks of life through group work and they can develop their relational skills in non-school environments.
The Lions Club Canberra – Belconnen who are our ‘Masters of the BBQ’, and are always there to help at our events, Bunnings BBQs and anywhere else they can pitch in.

If you are interested in volunteering for Pegasus, our volunteer age starts at 14 years. Click on this link https://pegasusact.com.au/volunteering/volunteer-with-us/ and we will be in touch. Or if you, or someone you know, fits the following criteria, we would love to hear from you. www.seek.com.au/job/61854507

Pegasus Charity Golf Day 2023

Back for 2023, the Pegasus Charity Golf Day is growing to become a favorite on our supporters calendars.

Proudly sponsored by Pathway Place and once again being hosted at Yowani Country Club, the golf day is a wonderful way to spend a day with friends or colleagues while helping to raise much needed funds to help Pegasus deliver our unique programs to people with disability in Canberra and surrounds.

To register a team please click here or if you would like to learn more about the event or other ways you may be able to support Pegasus please contact Jo Kennedy at fundraising@pegasusact.com.au or call Jo on 02 6245 9190.

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