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We are fast approaching the end of 2020 and I’m sure that we are all feeling slightly relieved that it is behind us along with COVID. I’m so very grateful to our wonderful and supportive volunteers, staff, committee and coaches who were there giving their best during unprecedented times for New Zealand. Christchurch RDA operated term 3 and 4 and I know it was very stressful on all of us with the extra Health requirements that we had to follow set out by the Government and NZRDA.
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I would like to say farewell to Emma Burden who was our Horsecare person for 10 years. Emma was dedicated to our horses and did a fantastic job. We wish Emma and Sooty all the very best in their new adventure. I would also like to welcome Laura de Haro who has stepped into the Horsecare position. It’s not an easy job that’s for sure. Read all about Laura further in the newsletter.
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I have loved being a part of CRDA over the past 25 years, I've enjoyed watching us grow as a group and working through some tough times and appreciate the support that you have shown me. It is time for me to stand down as President in March and Friday coach. I believe in the programmes we offer and have personally witnessed many miracles on a Friday. A big thank you to my husband Steve, who is now retired, for supporting me over the years and yes we have bought a caravan.
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Warmest Regards Jayne Findlay President.
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CRDA SHOP
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Our on-line shop is now open on the website. Take a look to see what we are offering. Great stocking stuffers including our very popular calendar.
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All proceeds go directly to CRDA.
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Laura's Horse Care Report
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My name is Laura de Haro. I have a background in early childhood education, nursing, and public libraries.
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Horses have always been a constant in my life—a love instilled in me by my mother and now fostered by my mother-in-law (lucky me!).I am very happy to be part of the Christchurch RDA family. A Heartfelt thankyou to everyone for making me feel so welcome and helping me in so many ways.
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I think it is a truly special place that makes a difference in people’s lives. One of the things I enjoy the most is the partnership between riders, volunteers, staff, and horses.
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Our family loves going tramping, being by the water, crafting, cooking, and reading. One of my kids loves horses as much as I do, which is great.
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I consider myself a friendly and approachable person so please don’t hesitate to have a chat with me anytime.
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Arena Hire Report
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The year is almost complete and for most we are glad to see it behind us. COVID has changed the world we live in and the big question lies with us all “What will tomorrow bring?”
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Christchurch Equestrian Centre hires were affected by the continuing cancellation of events. By June, hires were picking up and most weekends were booked to smaller equestrian groups. We did have the Selwyn Dog Club in for their annual show and a new hire of interest was the Sheep Dog Trials.
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Christchurch RDA took the opportunity during a quiet weekend to have a grader come in and level the arena. Thanks must go to Johnson Civil Ltd for doing this. The Canterbury A & P show will be one to remember. Instead of a trade pavilion our arena was used for dressage and showing. Well done Canterbury A & P for keeping an event going for the competitors.
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Looking forward to 2021, the arena bookings are filling up nicely. If you have an event you would like to book in on a preferred weekend please don’t hesitate to contact me to avoid disappointment.
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I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
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Testimonial
Grace, now 15, has been riding with Christchurch RDA since the age of 5.
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She has always gained immense enjoyment from riding. Over the years, her physical requirements have varied due to her orthopaedic needs but the RDA team have always adapted and met her needs perfectly. They have ensured that she is stretched, moved and positioned to make the most physical gains possible. This has always improved her strength, balance and co-ordination.
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The whole RDA team have always been a pleasure to deal with and their knowledge of the riders, their families and the horses is astounding. They know Grace so well and always bring out her favourite interactive toys to use with the horses – the big red ball is always a huge hit!!
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Each time Grace finishes her year with RDA, is always a sad time but we know we’ll be back soon to start our next RDA adventure.
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Please donate and/or sponsor a horse
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In these post COVID-19 times when many of our funding avenues have completely collapsed, we need your help more than ever!
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Are you able to help us?
Take a look at what it costs us to keep this enterprise flying...and if you are in a position to help...
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Jenny Nicol-Training Co-ordinator
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Wow 53 new volunteers this year despite or because of COVID-19? These 53 people, with a wide range of backgrounds and skills, have been welcomed and inducted into the CRDA programs by Annette the Volunteer co-ordinator and myself. Without a continuous supply of volunteer leaders and side walkers, the CRDA Coaches could not provide effective riding session teams for the over 70 riders a week who participate in our programs.
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We appreciate each volunteers' contribution from those who only manage a short time with us to those who have given years of volunteer time.
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Volunteers also benefit from working with the horses and assisting our riders. It's a win win of improved social well being and fitness for rider and volunteer. New research is showing that physical and mental fitness are interconnected in a very positive way so disability or not, we are all benefiting including the horses!
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But to induct and train new volunteers plus upskill coaches, CRDA needs to provide training workshops on standard procedures, consistency, H&S and understanding disability.
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Thanks to Wigram Lions, CRDA now has a new laptop dedicated to the training Team. Check out the CRDA website and FB for the New Year workshops in February.
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Thank you Coaches and volunteers for understanding and managing to keep CRDA operating in a very unusual and stressful year. Things I have learnt this year - Resilience and grit will get you through the hard times. Happy relaxing holidays horses and CRDA personnel. Jenny. CRDA Training co-ordinator.
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Thank you for your donation
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A special thank you to the following people for their generous donation...
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Kate Scott Beverley Iremonger
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Volunteer Assistants
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If you enjoy working with horses and /or Special Needs persons, Christchurch Riding for the Disabled needs Volunteer Assistants!
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We hold sessions 9:00am - 2:30pm each weekday during school terms.
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Our Coaches depend on volunteers to lead horses and
work with riders. Training is given to enable volunteers to feel confident and safe.
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We have had a wonderful response from radio adverts and our many leaflets being displayed on various Community Notice Boards. However, we still need your help - if you can spare one day a week to assist our wonderful Coaches in their efforts to give our Riders the benefit of a therapeutic riding session we would be most grateful.
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If you are over 16 years old and can give a few hours, please contact us with your preferred day.
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Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Annette
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To find out more about Volunteering with CRDA, just click the button...
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Charles's Rider Report
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Hello all riders and their families, and welcome back to a new term of riding with us at the Christchurch RDA!
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This looks like being a great term, with some semblance of social normality returning, and who knows, some lovely weather ahead of us? ... but, please remain vigilant and ensure that you bring with you to each riding session, suitable clothing for the day and sturdy footwear!
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Now! .. just talking about your riding sessions, I would like to remind you all that these programs that we offer you are a complete therapeutic package. They are an opportunity for you to not only experience the joy of riding a horse and how that makes you feel, but also to learn a little something about the care of your horse and what that means to the relationship that can build between horse and rider.
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For those of you who are physically capable of doing so, your session will contain some time learning general horse care and preparation, including walking your horse under supervision for a "warm-up" period prior to mounting up. This time is important, as it enables the rider to form both a friendly bond with their horse and gain a better understanding of how the horse responds to them. Riding is, and has always been a partnership between man and horse, and the better we understand each other, the stronger the partnership will be. Horses are very intelligent animals, and I think that sometimes they understand us better than we understand them, so please take the time to get to know the horse that is going to allow you the pleasure of riding!
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I had a very intelligent horse some years ago, his name was Johnny .. sometimes he even helped me to write articles for this newsletter! .. and one day after he and I had been chatting about the concept of "partnership", I went out to saddle him up for a ride only to find him already in the yards, standing there looking at me quizzically, with his saddle in his hooves (horses don't have hands), and his bridle slung loosely over his withers. Surprised by this, I asked what he thought he was doing! ... he answered; that if we were going to have a real partnership, then he felt it was high time that I took a turn at wearing the saddle!
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... but don't worry riders, our Christchurch RDA horses are much better mannered, and I can promise you that their expectations will be somewhat less than old Johnny's were!
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On that peculiar note, I shall wish you all a wonderful term of riding with us, with all the joy that horses can bring! ... and remember, please get to know your horse, and let them get to know you.
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Don't forget that if you have any issue that you would like to discuss with me as your rider's representative, you may contact me at any time via either of the two options below. Also it is important to fill in your rider surveys!
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My best wishes to you all,
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Things we would love to have
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We would be so grateful for tea, coffee, Milo and biscuits to treat our Volunteers.
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Funders & Supporters
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We would like to thank the following Funders & Supporters for their support...
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Contact Us
Christchurch Riding for the Disabled
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Physical address
Northcote Drive, Inside Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram,
Christchurch, 8025
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