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Term 1 started with a few changes and some minor setbacks but this is CRDA and we rise to the challenge.
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Level 2 Covid restrictions greeted us at the beginning of March but as always all the staff and volunteers put all the appropriate safety measures in place and rolled out the start of term with riders and horses happy to be back.
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We were then severely tested by Gulls on our arena roof, far worse than any other year. Some rather scary looking magpies were purchased and attached to the arena roof to deter said gulls and it has been a resounding success –Gulls gone, peace resumed!
There was a poignant moment during this term as we said farewell to Jayne Findlay at the end of March. Jayne often went beyond the call of duty in support of our RDA group. Her passion and enthusiasm for our cause will keep us all moving forward into the future.
Briefly, I will introduce myself to you all now as I step into the role of President of CRDA. My full name is Philippa Parker but most people know me as Pippa. I am a wife to Richard, mother to four adult children and grandmother to 3 grandchildren. Originally from a teaching profession in England, I moved to New Zealand in 2002 and became a volunteer at CRDA under the guidance of a wonderful coach Gwen. I have never been more sure of where I belong or what I enjoy doing than the day I signed up to CRDA firstly as a volunteer, then a coach, then committee member, Vice president and now to this new role.
Working with coaches, staff, volunteers and riders day-to-day provides an appreciation for the large number of hours and expertise and passion that everyone brings to CRDA. Their dedication and professionalism is often noticed and remarked upon.
This, with our incredible successes, means we are becoming increasingly well-known and respected for the positive outcomes CRDA provides to the community.
Pippa Parker
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A wonderful ‘Feel Good’ story from a past CRDA family.
Kia ora RDA
It has been a number of years since Dior participated in riding with RDA as part of her rehabilitation from Transverse Myelitis when she was 5 years old. Dior was unable to wear a helmet when she first started as she was too weak in her neck and body. Dior is now 10yrs and although she is still paralysed in her arm she is now a confident and able horse rider!
I wanted to share my appreciation to you all for the tautoko (support) and opportunity you all gave to Dior when she needed it the most. Dior has carried on her horse riding with farm rides and grown in confidence. We received some funding for Term 4 2020 from Halberg Trust to provide one on one lessons twice a week for 1 term.
The results have been incredible and she now sees herself eventing in the future and supporting others to ride and rescue horses. Check out the jumping photo! Dior would love to visit Pip if she is still at RDA?
Sadly, Dior lost her Dad last year. Her riding school horse, Toby and the ability and confidence to ride has provided such healing and freedom for her to process her grief and trauma.
We are extremely grateful for the avenue you all provided and can't express how much this positively impacted our lives.
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Ā mātou mihi ki a koutou.
Arohanui
Rebecca Tamati
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Humphrey comes to Christchurch RDA
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Many thanks to our RDA friend Allan Phillips for designing and crafting/building our new ‘shapes posting box’ that has somehow been given the name Humphrey.
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Earlier Allan had made a set of 25 coloured wooden shapes (5 different shapes and 5 different colours). Riders can select shapes, match, then post into the identically shaped and coloured holes.
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An activity like this uses and develops a wide range of skills such as problem-solving, cognitive function, balance, coordination, concentration, communication and riding skills, all while having FUN!
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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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Russley School Student Angelus Parker raises $550
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Russley School was promoting Personal Best Homework Challenge. AJ, a Year 8 student in Team Moana decided to make and sell star-shaped biscuits for a week.
AJ chose a star shape because he felt every rider at RDA is an individual star who wants to shine bright!
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With the help and support of staff and students buying the cookies, he raised $550 in a week.
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We are all very appreciative of AJ and Russley School.
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Dancing Carrot?
CRDA was very happy to receive a donation of $100 for this dancing carrot!
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Cassia saw this carrot and decided to put it up for auction on Trademe, to raise funds for her favourite horse Blokey.
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What a great creative mind she has.
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Thanks so much, Cassia. Your generosity will go towards feeding our horses lots of carrots and other treats
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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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First, her school friends and caregivers came, then our neighbours came and then we finished the night with close family and friends.
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As long as Hannah has her iPad and arts and crafts there isn’t too much she wishes for. So we respectfully asked on invitations “no gifts please but if you want to help me I will be collecting donations for Christchurch Riding for the Disabled to sponsor my favourite horse”.
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PS RDA is one of the few things in life that her school friends envied her for
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Here's Hannah, aged 6, on Ben when she first started RDA. She was only just weight-bearing with someone holding her hands…. definitely full-time wheelchair.
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Sheree was her coach and Pippa was training to be a coach. Hannah’s language skills were restricted to one or two words.
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Now aged 21 Hannah walks independently into RDA, Pippa is her coach and Michael is her favourite support person.
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He has had her riding off the lead rope and doing some dressage. Hannah gets very excited at riding and now talks nonstop.
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Things we would love to have
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These are some of the things we could really use at Christchurch Riding for the Disabled today. If you could grant us one wish we would be very grateful.
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If you want to ask about any of these items please don’t hesitate to give Debbie a call in the office 348-4374
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These items can be purchased at the Saddlery Warehouse
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We would be so grateful for tea, coffee, Milo and biscuits to treat our Volunteers, especially on a cold winter's day!
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Funders
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We would like to thank the following Funders for their support...
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CRDA SHOP - been there?
Have you been to the CRDA Online Shop yet on the CRDA website?
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There are lots of items for sale which will not only make great gifts for friends and family, but which will also help us to keep providing our services.
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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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