Meet Hilary, one of our Volunteers

My adventure with Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) began nearly 3 years ago.
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As a teenager I enjoyed riding regularly but in the intervening decades, apart from an occasional pony trek, I had nothing to do with horses.  After retirement I was on the lookout for volunteering opportunities and a friend told me about RDA. Feeling very keen to re-connect with my horsey past I enquired to find a local group and landed one day at Mid Sussex RDA (based at Chestnuts riding school) full of enthusiasm but with limited horse knowledge.
Through my links with RDA I have been thrilled to have the opportunity to ride again at 2 stables, something I thought I was too old to do!  Cantering on the downs I feel like an 18 year old again!
RDA is a great organisation and working with them has been a marvellous experience.

Volunteer activities:

Thank you for your interest.  Unfortunately our volunteer waiting list is full.

  • Preparing (brushing  off) the horse or pony
  • Tacking up
  • Preparing the school (with poles, cones, rings etc)
  • Assisting with mounting
  • Leading the horse or pony
  • Walking alongside to support or encourage the rider (often needs two people)
  • Assisting with dismounting
  • Poop scooping!
  • Untacking
  • Making tea/coffee
  • Tack cleaning
  • Assisting riders with their hats and boots
  • Record keeping
  • Fundraising
Picture of some of our volunteers taking a break with a well earned cup of tea
Having a break
Training is given in all areas at regular intervals, and there is the opportunity for volunteers to attend Regional and National training days.

If a volunteer wishes  to become a coach then all support and assistance will be given to them.  Coaches need to attend Child Protection and First Aid courses, but if a volunteer wishes to attend them then this is encouraged.

BENEFITS
  • Opportunity to learn new skills.
  • Rewarding to see the difference you can make to a disabled child or adult
  • Make new friends and have fun
  • Keep fit
  • Opportunity to eat lots of yummy home-made cakes !
 
Our sessions are IN  TERM TIME  ONLY:
     Tuesday morning from 10-12  
     Thursday morning  from 10-12