About RDA
About RDA

A boy carrying a saddle

RDA is proud to be celebrating 40 years of delivering opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities. Founded as a National organisation in 1969, RDA now has 500 Member Groups across the UK – together, these Groups help 23,000 people to take part in riding, carriage driving and vaulting activities. 

 
Although RDA was set up to work mainly with people with physical disabilities, RDA Groups now work across the spectrum of disabilities, age range, social status and urban and rural environments. The focus of our work is to ensure that each individual has the chance to derive a direct therapeutic benefit and the opportunity to achieve their personal goal (whether that be learning a very simple skill or winning a major competition).
 
RDA gives individuals the opportunity to: 
  • Reach therapeutic goals: improve muscle tone and posture, develop fine and gross motor movement 
  • Achieve their personal ambitions: sit on a horse for the first time, learn new skills, win a Paralympic medal 
  • Combat social isolation: build relationships, enjoy events and competition, develop self-confidence 
  • Develop life skills: improve communication, take responsibility, be a team player 
  • Experience the outdoors: ride in the countryside, access rural Britain 
  • Connect with animals: bringing positivity and optimism, adding a new element to life
 

Although the current level of service delivered by RDA is truly amazing, we are aware that there are many more people who merit help and support. Currently RDA fails to meet the increasing demand for riding and carriage driving opportunities, with the vast majority of RDA Groups reporting a waiting list. It is the shortfall in volunteer numbers that severely restricts the availability of RDA services, and significantly limits the current number of rider and driver opportunities nationally.

RDA National is the Governing body of the Federation, representing and providing support to 500 Member Groups. To find out more about the structure of RDA National and who we are, click here.

RDA National exists to support the Member Groups of the Federation – find out about what we do.

To read our most recent Trustee Report and Financial Statements, and see what our plans are click these links.

 

 

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Future Plans

The general strategic direction for RDA is defined in the current strategic plan. The most important specific objectives for 2010/11 are as follows. These are also in line with some of the objectives of the British Equestrian Federation (an...Read More

History of RDA

The Association was founded in 1965 as the Advisory Council on Riding for the Disabled with 9 Member Groups and became Riding for the Disabled Association in 1969 when membership had grown to 80 member groups. The president at that time was Lavinia, ...Read More

Key Facts & Figures

  RDA carries out an annual census of activity and participation. Figures from the 2010 census show the following:     2010 200...Read More

Recent Achievements

A full description of our work can be found in our most recent RDA Trustees Annual Report & Accounts (see below) However, achievements to highlight from 2008/9 include: We launched the Volunteer Development project and recruitment of ...Read More

What We Do

As a National body, RDA’s Vision and Mission are as follows   VISION RDA will enhance its position as the UK’s leading voluntary organisation working with horses offering opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment to its...Read More

Who We Are

  RDA is a community of:  Participants – our riders, carriage drivers and vaulters Volunteers – working both for Groups and RDA National – this includes helpers, coaches, physiotherapists and Member Group Trus...Read More

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