Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia Ltd.

For contact information or to donate directly to your local RDA Organisation, please click on your state page via the map below.

RDA State Offices

RDA Australia is a full member of The Federation of Riding for the Disabled International (FRDI) and a current member of the FRDI Executive. Full Membership is only open to National organisations practising therapeutic equestrian activities.

RDAA Autism Grant

Funds have generously been made available to RDA Australia by the Southern Tier Healthlink Association in the United States of America. The director hoped these funds would be used specifically for riders within RDA who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism affects Australians widely and greatly impacts the Riding for the Disabled Association. In the spirit of Southern Tier Healthlink’s donation, we have initiated the RDAA Autism Fund.

Find out more >>

Horse Talk TV

Horse Talk TV is Australia's ONLY show on free-to-air TV dedicated to horses and is hosted by horse trainer Katie Hickson. Horse Talk TV, launched on 14 Oct 2009 airs nationally on TVS Sydney, C31 Melbourne, QCTV Brisbane, C31 Adelaide and WTV Perth.

Para-Equestrian Sport

On 1 Jan 2009 Equestrian Australia (EA) assumed responsibility for managing the Para-Equestrian High Performance program. Information and news will now be available at www.equestrian.org.au

Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia (RDAA) is a voluntary, nonprofit organisation which provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, healthy, stimulating, therapeutic, horse-related activities in Australia. Read more >>

What's Happening in 2012

January 22 2012

Autism Grant through Southern Healthlink - see http://http://www.rda.org.au/current-projects.aspx

National Carriage Driving Workshop in Fairbridge WA on 27 - 29 April 2012. Registrations closed.

International Therapeutic Riding Congress (Athens) 24 - 27 April 2012. http://http://www.frdi-athens2012.gr/

National Coaching Workshop (Marcus Oldham College, Victoria) June 29 - July 2, 2012. Registrations open March 2012.

RDA will be at Equitana Melbourne in November 2012

NEW Annual Coach Registrations

January 22 2012

Previously coaches registered with RDA Australia every four years on the anniversary of gaining their qualification. This meant that RDA’s records were inaccurate and out of date. Annual registration will mean that RDA Australia can stay in better contact with coaches and whips, send out regular news about training and workshops, inform you about funding and discount offers and provide an annual accreditation card listing all your RDA qualifications.

When will the new system start?

Letters were sent to all coaches and whips in December 2011. Payment of a $15 registration fee is payable to RDA Australia by March 2012. The $15 is per person and all your qualifications will be recorded on the one card.

How can I find out more information?

Contact coaching@rda.org.au if you have any problems. We are trying to get all the information correct over the next 12 months so that next year the process is smoother.

RDAA New Coaches Portal

June 2 2011

A new secure online coaches’ portal has been developed for the RDAA national website with a generous grant from The Myer Foundation and The Sidney Myer Fund Capacity Building Grant ‘Celebrating our Partners Project’.

Please click on http://http://www.rda.org.au/videodemo.aspx to view a short demo which explains how coaches can access and use the new coaches’ portal.

NB: This video has a voiceover so please make sure you have sound enabled

For further information on this initiative click here

2011 RDAA National Dressage Championships

June 20 2011

Fiona Heysen and Rai Walla came to the RDA National Office to judge the 2011 RDA Australian National Dressage Video Championships on Thursday, October 6.

We are pleased to announce the following results:

Para-Equestrian:

Team Test 1B:
1^st Place: Madeleine Sobb (VIC)

Individual Test 1B:
1^st Place: Madeleine Sobb (VIC)

Introductory:

Walk B:
1^st Place:              Harvey Filgate (VIC)
2^nd Place:             Sarah Vaddis (VIC)
3^rd Place:              Natasha Heffernan (SA)
4^th Place:              Kayla Medhurst (SA)

Walk D:
1^st Place:              Kayla Medhurst (SA)
2^nd Place:             Tom Arthurson (SA)
3^rd Place:              Coby Dennery (SA)

Trot B:
1^st Place: Jack Futter (VIC)
2^nd Place: Ashleigh Simpson (SA)

Trot E:
1^st Place:              Matthew Davis (SA)
2^nd Place:             Ashleigh Simpson (SA)
3^rd Place:              Jack Fuller (SA)

Canter A:
1^st Place: Lauren French (SA)
2^nd Place: Lauren Holmes (VIC)

Canter D: Lauren French (SA)

Congratulations to all riders who participated! Full results and percentages will be published in the next edition of Spotlight due to be published October 20

National Volunteer Awards 2011

September 1 2011

The Judges Panel met Monday October 3 to decide the winners of the 2011 RDAA National Volunteer Awards. The Panel consisted of Evelyn O’Loughlin (CEO Volunteering SA&NT), Marguerite Francis (RDAA Life Member) and Norma Pearce (RDAA Board Member).

“The judges would like to commend all the nominees for their commitment to RDA in so many ways over so many hours, days, weeks and years.

After examination of all the nominees and the supporting statements the judges reached unanimous decisions in each category.”

Michael Field Memorial Award: Cathy Bantick (TAS)

Volunteer Encouragement Award: Christine O’Neill (WA)

Young Volunteer of the Year Award: Magdelaine O’Moore (SA)

“We congratulate the successful candidates and encourage them to continue in their support of RDA and its various activities nationally.”

Volunteer Awards Invitation

Silver Brumbies trek across Australia in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)

June 2 2011

Who are the Silver Brumbies?

The RDA Silver Brumbies are two very special grey nomads Joan & Bob Lemmon, who are currently travelling around Australia

Volunteering their time, skills & expertise to local RDA Centres
Helping to raise awareness & funds for the work of RDA
Carrying out general maintenance and administrative tasks
Supporting RDA coaches and volunteers

Visit the new Silver Brumbies website at http://www.SilverBrumbies.com.au to find out more about their journey and how you can play a part in helping RDA.

The Silver Brumbies website has been developed with a generous grant from The Sidney Myer Fund.

Principal Sponsor

The principal sponsor of RDAA is The Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

The development of this new website was made possible by a generous gift from:
The Cassandra Gantner Foundation

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RDA Video

Riding for the Disabled Association develops ability and enriches lives through specialised programs and relationships with horses. Watch our inspirational video and experience what can be achieved with your generous donation.

Watch Video >>

SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight is RDAA's Free National Newsletter.

Catch up on all RDA news here...

Download the
December 2011 Edition
of Spotlight here.

To see past editions
click here.

Are you an RDA parent?

RDA is participating in an International Research Study into the 'Effects of Therapeutic Riding' to help document research to support parents & professionals claims that equine-assisted activities/therapies can help children with special needs. If you would like to participate in this important research click here

Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia supports Play by the Rules – a website offering free online training, information and resources to help keep sport in Australia inclusive, safe, fair and fun. Visit: www.playbytherules.net.au