Rotorua's Riding for the Disabled has found a new home at Ngongotaha.
Rotorua District Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a non-profit organisation that provides therapeutic interaction with horses to people with disabilities.
Rotorua's Riding for the Disabled president, Terry Lemon, said the organisation needed to move as part of Lee Rd site would be needed for the proposed Rotorua Eastern Arterial. The new airport runway extension had also led to lowered aeroplane landing paths and the noise bothered some of those using the facility.
"We are essentially on leased land that has the right to be taken off us as soon as plans for the bypass route are set and some of the children are also bothered by the noise the aeroplanes make, it scares them," Mr Lemon said.
A new site had been found in Ngongotaha's Parawai Rd and he hoped it would open early next year.
The organisation has locations throughout New Zealand and a branch of the organisation started in Rotorua in November 1973 and has since been located off Lee Rd.
Mr Lemon said the new site at Ngongotaha was ideal and the final design layout plan would be a month or two away. "The new place is excellent, well away from noise, and the land is also flat and easy to develop," he said.
Basic plans for the layout of the site may also include the eventual design of a covered area flexible to all weather types. "Although a lot of what we do depends on funding and budget."
Funding for the Riding for Disabled Association comes from foundation and trust fund money.
"We rely on applications through the trust and community donations.
"Trying to keep things up and running here as well as finding the resources to develop our new site is a big project;" he said.
Mr Lemon also aims to raise the profile of the organisation within the community and increase awareness about the services it offers.
"The RDA is a service that promotes and encourages positive physical health impacts on people of all ages, with disabilities."
Leonie Annett is a horse trainer and physical therapist for the organisation.
She said that for children participating in the organisation, important and basic physical skills were being taught, learned and achieved.
"By being on a moving object such as a horse these kids are learning crucial life skills, such as balance and co-ordination," she said. "Some of the kids do start off anxious, it might take them a couple of weeks to get up there and give it a go. They are all, always, definitely successful. I have seen good changes not just physically but mentally in a lot of the children."
Western Heights High School student Abraham Evnetts is involved in the programme. The 14-year-old Year 10 student has Down syndrome and began attending lessons this year. "I come here every Wednesday, I like being here," he said.
Abraham learns sitting positions and normally does walks on his own around the paddock. "The people here are nice and help me to learn. I want to do this for a long time, the horses are fun," he said.
The Rotorua District Riding for the Disabled Association is a mostly volunteer-based programme that is always on the lookout for people willing to lend a hand.
Mr Lemon urged anyone who had spare time to volunteer.
"We have our usual volunteers and staff members but we could always do with more people, the biggest issue we have is consistency. A lack of volunteers or staff equals no riding for the children, so we want the public to feel free to come down and offer whatever they can," he said.
Ngongotaha home for Riding for Disabled
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