Riding for the Disabled Association facts for kids
"It's what you can do that counts."
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| Formation | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Charity |
| Headquarters | Shrewley, Warwickshire |
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President
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Princess Anne |
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Chair
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Helena Vega-Lozano |
| Affiliations | British Equestrian |
| Website | https://www.rda.org.uk/ |
The Riding for the Disabled Association, or RDA, is a charity in the United Kingdom. It started in 1969. The RDA helps people with disabilities by offering fun activities. These activities include horse-riding, equestrian vaulting (gymnastics on horseback), and carriage driving. They help people with physical, learning, and mental health challenges. Princess Anne has been the President of the RDA since 1985.
The RDA is made up of about 500 local groups. Each year, they help over 26,500 children and adults. The RDA is also one of 16 groups that form British Equestrian. Since 2013, the RDA has worked with British Equestrian. Together, they give an "Accessibility Mark" to riding schools. This mark shows that a school is good for disabled riders.
Contents
How Riding Helps People
Horses and Healing
People have known for a long time that horses can help us. Ancient Greek writings from 600 BC talk about how riding helped disabled people. Later, in 1895, a French doctor named Cassaign studied this. He found that horse therapy could help with some brain conditions.
The Start of the RDA
In the 20th century, therapeutic riding became very popular. This was especially true after Lis Hartel from Denmark. She was paralyzed from polio. But she still won a silver medal in Dressage at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Her amazing success inspired many new groups across Europe. These groups helped people with disabilities ride horses. By 1964, a group called the Advisory Council on Riding for the Disabled was formed. It helped to bring these smaller groups together.
By 1966, there were 23 such groups in the UK. In 1969, they officially became the Riding for the Disabled Association. Lavinia Fitzalan-Howard, Duchess of Norfolk was the first president. In 1985, Princess Anne took over this role. She is still the President today.
Fun Events and Activities
The RDA holds its National Championships every year. These exciting events take place at Hartpury University and College in Gloucester.
Riders can take part in many different classes. Some classes involve riding, and some do not. Activities include dressage, carriage driving, and a Countryside Challenge. There is also showjumping, vaulting, and showing.
Important Moments for the RDA
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1969 | The RDA officially started. |
| 1971 | Princess Anne became a supporter of the RDA. |
| 1975 | Carriage driving became an activity offered by the RDA. |
| 1985 | The first national RDA Dressage Championships were held. |
| 1985 | Princess Anne became the President of the RDA. |
| 1996 | Para dressage was included in the Paralympic Games. |
| 2010 | Showjumping was added as an RDA activity. |
| 2013 | Endurance riding was added as an activity. |
| 2013 | The "Accessibility Mark" was created for riding schools. |
| 2014 | The RDA was featured on special Royal Mail stamps. |
| 2019 | The RDA celebrated its 50th birthday! |
| 2022 | The Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR) was launched. |
Amazing Achievements
RDA riders have achieved great things. At the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, all four of the Team GB Para riders started their journey with the RDA. This shows how much the RDA helps young riders grow.
See also
- List of RDA groups
- RDA Therapy
- British Equestrian
- Paralympics GB Equestrian
- British Equestrian Para Driving
- British Equestrian Para Showjumping
