In 1968 Tess Hardy started our Riding for the Disabled Group; the first in the area. This has allowed Pakefield Riding School to help physically and mentally disabled people to improve their health and wellbeing by using the therapeutic benefits of horse riding.
Tuition: The children are taught by our qualified instructors and supported and encouraged by trained volunteers. We are meticulous about safety, care and kindness. The children are encouraged to further develop physical skills, self-confidence, concentration, independence, social skills and opportunity to gain awards.
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a national organisation made up of Member Groups dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities, through riding and/or carriage driving.
As a self-funded Charity, we rely on our fundraising events and the generosity of our supporters
Cambs College RDA is a fun and friendly group which meets weekly to provide equestrian activities to young adults with disabilities in the Cambridge area. Founded in the late 1980s, the group is well-established at The College of West Anglia's Milton campus in north Cambridge.
Who is it for?
We are volunteers who provide riding experiences for disabled young people and adults. The young people all come from local special schools and the adults come mainly from the local area. We work at Colmar Farm Stables near Brentwood which has an indoor facility for horse riding so that riding can take place throughout the year despite the English weather.
We provide all the necessary training for volunteers ( helpers and sidewalkers ). You do not have to have any horse riding skills to be a volunteer.
Benefits of horse riding:
The Elisabeth Curtis Centre (registered Charity number 1137217) is a member of the national organisation; Riding for the Disabled Association (incorporating Driving) (Registered Charity number 244108)
There are approximately 28,000 riders and drivers throughout the UK in the Riding for the Disabled Association (incorporating Driving) member groups.
The Elisabeth Curtis Centre is a purpose built riding centre on the outskirts of Bedford, which caters solely for disabled riders.
We are a member of Riding for The Disabled Association (RDA)
We are delighted to introduce the newest Riding for the Disabled Group in our region: Norfolk Coast RDA, which is run entirely by volunteers, is a riding group for school age children & adults.
We meet at North Norfolk Riding Centre, NR22 6EH, where we have charming dedicated facilities. We welcome mentally and physically disabled riders to stay with us as long as they feel is useful & ride in 40 minute sessions.
At our fabulous new site at The Bays in Clopton we are extremely lucky to have wonderful facilities. We have a large indoor school, an indoor viewing area and an outdoor menage.
We teach riding and carriage driving to disabled children and adults regardless of what their disability might be and have been doing this for over 30 years. The benefits to all who ride or drive with us are huge. It provides them with valuable therapeutic exercise, an opportunity to develop their social skills and a chance to build relationships with our horses and ponies.
