Summertime at MRT gives everyone a chance to relax while sessions are on break, and our ponies especially enjoy their holidays. It is also a time for planning and preparation for the new term, and it’s all change at MRT where Michelle Sutton is stepping down as Chair, but will remain a committed volunteer. We are now delighted to introduce our new Chair, Sheila Low.

 

Sheila lives just outside North Berwick and brings with her a wide ranging and varied business career.

From setting up a children’s nursery in her mid 20’s, to investment roles in both the listed and private investment markets and latterly to corporate finance and business development roles at one of the leading national accountancy firms.


Most recently she worked alongside a well known commercial property developer for many years in addition to being a non executive director of a general insurance broker.


Sheila was also a board member of Turning Point Scotland, one of Scotland’s largest social care providers that cares for people with complex needs with over 30 projects spread across Scotland.


I have been so lucky having had such an interesting working life and have enjoyed my various non-executive roles. I have learnt so much along the way. Probably the most important lesson I have learnt from my business experience is that it is people that make a company or organisation great. We are so fortunate here at Muirfield Riding Therapy to have a fantastic team of staff, trustees and, most critically, our fantastic volunteers.

Participants get so much from their sessions at MRT and our waiting list is testament to the benefit they and we get from being in contact with our ponies.

I look forward to meeting our supporters over the coming months and hope to encourage more potential donors to come and visit us at West Fenton

 

We asked Sheila to tell us a little more about herself, and she said she “…rather rashly decided to buy a highland pony aged 53 having not ridden since I was 17!” Although, she says she never regained her childhood gung-ho attitude, she and her pony trotted along the beach for many years before grass sickness parted them.


She is now very happy looking after her two miniature shetland ponies Teddy and Tilly, and is excited to be around the lovely MRT ponies!