Central Taranaki Riding for the Disabled started in 1981 in a paddock by Joyce Newson's place in Fairbank Avenue. A meeting was held at the IHC Rooms and after unanimous generosity offered from the Egmont Branch, the Stratford Branch was formed.
They started with five riders, two ponies and a handful of adult voluntary helpers, including the four most experienced from Egmont. The classes grew weekly to five ponies and 11 riders but each rider needed three strong and fit adults and this seemed to be the biggest obstacle.
A public meeting was arranged for the first week of February 1982 at the IHC Rooms on Broadway. It was hoped that a committee would be formed, and that local men and women, boys and girls, volunteer to help the disabled people and make it possible for them to 'ride high'.
Later on in 1982 it was decided to progress from the paddock to the Western Riding Arena at the A&P; Showgrounds on Flint Road, until 1985 when they moved down to the Pioneer Village.
In 1991, we got a grant from the Taranaki Freemasons, which Joyce Newson said would go towards the cost of building a shelter in one corner of the arena. The shelter would enable clients to receive tuition under cover when bad weather prevented outside work.
The weekly sessions in 1991 catered for between 15 to 20 disabled people but more helpers were needed. Each group in New Zealand varies in the direction of its service to disabled adults and children but the following areas are covered by the RDA movement throughout New Zealand.
? Therapeutic riding for the rehabilitation of physically and intellectually handicapped people
? Remedial or supplementary educational opportunities for the stimulation of learning skills
? Behaviour modification
? Recreational and sport riding
? Social contact with peers, disabled and able-bodied people and contact with trust in a large, warm, responsive, trained animal - the horse.
The association provides training and advisory services to member RDA groups.
Those who attend the RDA groups are: Intellectually handicapped; neurological (both congenital and acquired) including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, traumatic head injury or stroke, or have visual and hearing impairments. RDA groups operate from a variety of venues - owned land, local authority reserves, leased pony club land, riding schools and hospital grounds.
Helpers do not necessarily need to be knowledgeable about horses or the riders' disabilities, but just have a willingness to help.
The riders are special people who enjoy their time with the horses and often derive great benefit from the activity. Weekly meetings are held on Thursdays during February-June and September-December (weather permitting), with a recess during winter term.
Central Taranaki Riding for the Disabled
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