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Riding for the Disabled Association

Riding for the Disabled Association
Formation1969
Legal statusCharity
HeadquartersShrewley, Warwickshire
President
Princess Anne
CEO
Michael Bishop
AffiliationsBritish Equestrian
Websiterda.org.uk

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a United Kingdom based charity founded in 1969[1] focused on providing therapeutic horse-riding, equestrian vaulting and carriage driving lessons to people with developmental and physical disabilities as well seeking to improve the lives of those with mental health difficulties.[2] Princess Anne has been the organisation's President since 1985.

The RDA is a federation of about 500 independent groups and serves over 26,500 adults and children each year[3] and is one of 16 members that make up British Equestrian.[4]

Since 2013, the RDA in partnership with British Equestrian, accredits commercial riding schools with the Accessibility Mark.[5]

History

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Beginnings of therapeutic riding

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The first known mentions of the benefits of horse riding for disabled people are found in 600BC Greek literature.[6] The first study ascribed with value on the merits of equine-assisted therapy is then found in 1895 by French physician Cassaign who concluded that equine therapy helped certain neurological disorders.[7]

Founding of the RDA

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In the 20th century, therapeutic horseback riding or equine-assisted therapy, became popular across Europe after Dane Lis Hartel, despite being paralyzed from the knees down by polio, won the silver medal for Individual Dressage at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Her success inspired therapeutic horseback riding organisations to be created across Europe and by 1964, a loose organisation called the Advisory Council on Riding for the Disabled[8] was formed to coordinate these groups.

By 1966, 23 of these were present in the United Kingdom and by 1969 were organised formally in to Riding for the Disabled Association[8] with Lavinia Fitzalan-Howard, Duchess of Norfolk as its first president. In 1985 Princess Anne became RDA President, a position she still holds.[9]

Billy Strachan, one of the pioneers of black civil rights in Britain, served as the secretary of the Harrow Branch.[10]

In 2019, the RDA celebrated its 50th anniversary.[11]

Riding for the Disabled National Championships

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Since 1985 regional qualifiers lead up to the Riding for the Disabled National Championships [12] which are held every year at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Gloucester. [13] The events include ridden and non-ridden classes featuring dressage, carriage driving, the Countryside Challenge, showjumping, vaulting and showing. [12]

Milestones

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Year Milestone
1969 The RDA is formally created.[3]
1971 Princess Anne becomes RDA patron.[14]
1975 Carriage driving becomes an RDA activity.[3]
1985 The first National RDA Dressage Championships take place.[3]
1985 Princess Anne becomes RDA President.[14]
1996 Para dressage is included in the olympics.
2010 Showjumping is included as an activity.[3]
2013 Endurance is added as an activity.[15]
2013 Creation of Accessibility Mark accreditation for commercial stables.[5]
2014 RDA features on a collection of Royal Mail stamps called 'Working Horses'.[16]
2019 The RDA celebrates its 50th anniversary.[11]
2022 Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) is launched as part of wider group.[17]

Notable successes

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At the London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games all of the Team GB Para riders started out with RDA. The team consisted of Natasha Baker MBE,[18] Sophie Christiansen,[19] Sir Lee Pearson[20] and Sophie Wells MBE.[21] For the Tokyo 2020 games Georgia Wilson[22] joined the team in place of Sophie Christiansen. [23]

References

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  1. ^ "Riding for the Disabled Association, registered charity no. 244108". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  2. ^ Murray, Becky (11 March 2021). "'Tea with a pony' sessions have power to help those with dementia". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Riding for the Disabled". Horse and Hound. October 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Member Bodies". British Equestrian. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Why Ride at an Accessibility Mark Centre?". Able Magazine. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  6. ^ "When was equine therapy first used? – ici2016.org". ici2016.org. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Not just horsing around ... psychologists put their faith in equine therapies". The Guardian. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  8. ^ a b "FIFTY YEARS OF THE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION". UK Parliament.
  9. ^ Scott, N. (2005). Special Needs, Special Horses: A Guide to the Benefits of Therapeutic Riding. Practical guide series. University of North Texas Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-57441-190-4. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Second World War Service and Sacrifice Billy Strachan (1921- 1998)". Black History Month 2024. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b "50 Faces to Celebrate 50 Years of RDA". The Gaitpost. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  12. ^ a b Turner, Rachael (15 July 2023). "Hundreds competing at this weekend's RDA National Championships". Your Horse. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Home". Hartpury University and Hartpury College. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  14. ^ a b Ciara.Berry (1 April 2016). "The Princess Royal and Riding for the Disabled". The Royal Family. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Celebration Week marks 50 years of enriching lives through horses". Central Horse News. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  16. ^ Banks, Tom (1 February 2014). "Royal Mail stamps celebrate working horses". Design Week. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  17. ^ Murray, Becky (23 March 2022). "New equine-assisted therapy register launches with Paralympian as patron". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Natasha Baker Paralympians Equestrian". Paralympics GB.
  19. ^ "Sophie Christiansen Paralympians Equestrian". Paralympics GB.
  20. ^ "Sir Lee Pearson Paralympics Equestrian". Paralympics GB.
  21. ^ "Sophie Wells MBE Paralympics Equestrian". Paralympics GB.
  22. ^ "Georgia Wilson - Rioder Profile - British Equestrian". www.britishequestrian.org.uk. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Sophie Christiansen out of Paralympics due to 'veterinary issue' with horse". Independent.co.uk.
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