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
​It does not matter if you are not”horsy” because all these skills can be taught.  But it is better if you enjoy the company of horses and are not frightened of them!

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