About The Team
One Equine Trust Directors
Please note: All OET directors serve in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration for their role.
Richard retired from a career in the meat industry in 2016, having been managing director of two major NI companies and chairing both the NI Meat Exporters Association and the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association. From an amateur interest in horses and a meeting with Temple Grandin, the prominent autism spokesperson, Richard developed a curiosity about Equine Assisted Services (EAS) and the impact of interventions based on horse–human interactions.
He has since committed significant time, energy, and resources to supporting the development of EAS in Northern Ireland, confident that the region is well placed to become a centre of excellence in this field. Since 2017, he has volunteered at a local RDA group, gaining direct experience with participants, which has further informed his understanding and passion for EAS. His governance experience includes six years on the board of NOW Group and ongoing service on the board of Re-Gen Waste Ltd, both of which have been very supportive of emerging EAS initiatives.
Richard was involved from the outset as a member of the founding steering committee for the Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR), serving for four years until its transition into the Equine Assisted Services Partnership CIC, helping to formalise governance and best practice standards across the sector. In June 2024, he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his contributions to Equine Assisted Services in Northern Ireland.
Molly studied Law, completing a Commercial Law Masters at Bristol University, and was called to the Bar in 2005. She later qualified as a mediator, and on returning to Belfast carried out a study on the future of mediation within the Northern Irish legal system. During this time, she began to recognise the potential of alternative justice approaches—particularly alternative pathways for young people involved in the judicial system.
Horses have been a lifelong passion for Molly. After completing her A-levels, she spent time in Baltimore, where she became inspired by the idea of an equine centre that could combine excellence in welfare and instruction with education and empowerment for young people. Her subsequent experience within the equine industry in Northern Ireland reaffirmed her belief that working with horses can build confidence, skills, and opportunities for those who may struggle in traditional learning environments.
Molly works with Thoroughbred organisations to develop the opportunities for thoroughbreds to be used in EAS and sits on the All-Island Committee for EAS. Molly is also working on a project to deliver an EAS centre, supporting mental and emotional wellbeing through Equine Assisted Services. Molly is passionate about using equine assisted services to improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland.
Julie Frazer
Julie has a lifelong association with horses. She worked in racing yards in England and the USA, and taught children to ride early in her career. Julie has been volunteering with Riding for the Disabled since 1993. She qualified as an RDA coach in 1997, was appointed County Chairman for Co. Antrim in 2010, and was subsequently elected Regional Chairman in 2015. She retired from the Regional Chairman’s post in January 2022 but continues to be actively involved with the local Mid-Antrim RDA Group as a Trustee and coach.
Her long association with RDA in Northern Ireland has strengthened her belief not only in the many benefits gained by participants and volunteers in all types of Equine Assisted Services, but also in the need for a co-ordinating body to advocate for the sector at the highest level and help ensure these services reach as many potential beneficiaries as possible.
Hazel Winning
After qualifying as an Occupational Therapist in Northern Ireland, Hazel worked in a range of clinical roles across different areas of practice, including acute, community, adult services, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and paediatrics, within multi-professional and integrated teams. She later moved into management and leadership positions. As Department of Health Lead Allied Health Professions Officer, Hazel was the most senior advisor in the Northern Ireland Government on AHP matters. She provided professional advice and support to Assembly Ministers and senior officials across Health and Social Care services on AHP policy, education, and practice.
Hazel is a strong advocate for all Allied Health Professions and has also been actively involved with her own professional body in various roles at regional and national levels. Before leaving her post at the Department of Health, she helped secure funding that led to the development of a pilot AHP equine therapy course in Northern Ireland. In recognition of her contributions to the health service in Northern Ireland, Hazel was awarded an OBE in 2020.
Since retiring, Hazel has continued her work with horses, taking on the roles of Group Organiser and Trustee with RDA Antrim. The group provides services to children from a local special school, a primary school, and some community children. This is made possible by over 20 dedicated volunteers who deliver these sessions each week.
Aisling Dunnion
Project Development Officer
After achieving an undergraduate degree in Dublin, Aisling moved to Belfast with an interest in the human mind to complete a Masters in Psychological Science. Her life-long love for animals led to her completing a second Masters at Queen’s in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Through this programme, Aisling joined One Equine for a placement and research project. Aisling combined her interests in humans and in animals, and completed a report on the 6-month progress of our 2-year Equine Assisted Learning pilot programme in St Colmcille’s.
Since her placement in 2022, Aisling came on board as our sole employee to manage the day-to-day activities of the charity, oversee the ongoing projects, develop future opportunities, and assist with the organisation of events. Over the last 2 years Aisling’s interest in equines, and helping humans with animals, has significantly grown. In addition to working for One Equine, she also volunteers at a local RDA group and with an independent practitioner to support the various practices of Equine Assisted Services and to help those who could greatly benefit.