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The kind of support, together with the volunteers who make it possible, will transform a young person or adult whose life is limited by a disability. It may be because of you they will get close to, ride and learn to love our ponies and horses and believe in themselves. Their lives can become enriched, their disability a little less demanding. We cannot thank you all enough.
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A brand-new experience this term has been the introduction of 'Tea and Cake with Ponies'. Two of our weekday sessions helped to welcome guests from two local retirement homes this term. The visitors' journey started with enjoying a cup of tea and slice of cake whilst watching a riding session and an explanation on how our programmes work. After the session, our guests were invited to meet, stroke and spend time with our ponies - taking in the sights, smells and touch of our wonderful animals. It was an enjoyable and memorable event for everyone.
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Photo: Esme helped purchase Rocco for RDA in 2016 and is reunited at 'Tea and Cake with Ponies'.
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As we come out of winter into spring it's time to dust away the cobwebs, shake and mend the covers, and brush away winter coats. Soon our horses will be showing rich glossy coats and hopefully a little less mud! This may also be a time where you can help us move effectively and with strength into the summer and into securing our future by helping with fundraising.
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- Sponsorship of riders, ponies or equipment
- Entering sports events such as marathons on our behalf
- If you work for an organisation or have your own business and are looking for a great opportunity to help your local community, then look no further than adopting Christchurch RDA as your charitable partner.
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Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support us.
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NZ Post Volunteer Day Reflections
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On a cool Tuesday in July a small, enthusiastic group from NZ Post processing site and mail centre completed their volunteer day at Christchurch Riding for the Disabled (CRDA) and wow it was an amazing experience.
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We started with a safety brief from Pippa followed by a run down on CRDA. We then got stuck into moving sand around the covered in all-purpose arena and cleaning the tack. This was followed by feeding and meeting some of the four-legged team (plenty of cuddles were received and given). We then cleaned the horse stalls and put in new sawdust, cleaned all the barriers and walls of the arena, and finished with a powerful insight from Pippa (the President) re the benefits/challenges CRDA provide and have.
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The horses/ponies are handpicked for their role and are very affectionate, patient, understanding, inquisitive and enjoy people’s company. The horse/ponies adapt to the skill level of their rider and through the therapy they provide, many of the riders achieve amazing milestones.
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CRDA runs three sessions Monday to Friday over the four school terms per year. Each rider can attend for a full year and if they would like to continue they go the bottom of the waiting list, which provides opportunities for other riders to attend for a year.
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It was a humbling experience, and you understand quickly how much organisations like this depend on volunteers and donations. CRDA requires a lot of volunteers - the role of a volunteer is very important, they groom the horses/ponies, put their tack on and off, lead the horse/pony when the riders are working with the riding coach in the arena, muck out stalls/paddocks etc…
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CRDA is a not-for-profit organisation that does not receive government funding. It costs around $3,000 per year to care for each horse/pony and CRDA have 13 horses/ponies in their care. Due to this they rely heavily on donations and sponsorship and are always looking for ways to engage with people and obtain funds. To sponsor a horse/pony is an awesome way to support this worthy organisation and starts at $50 per year - if interested please visit website www.chchrda.org.nz
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A huge thanks to the fantastic team who attended (Chelsea, Tania S, Linda, Soulz, Emma, Jason, Jo, Tania, Tise, Catherine) you guys did an amazing job, also special thanks to Pippa she was an amazing host.
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And thanks to NZ POST for providing the opportunity to have a paid volunteer day (one per year per full time employee).
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Thankyou NZ Post for giving CRDA a day of volunteering plus a generous donation from your raffle fundraiser that has helped purchase new riding helmets.
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Amazing young lady still focused on RDA
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Young Emma Bolton has spent many happy and successful terms in the saddle at RDA . Right now she is taking a break from her riding but decided to give a little support back to her special horse friends by raising some money for them. Emma baked very tasty ginger bread biscuits shaped as ponies and decorated them beautifully. She then proceeded to sell ALL of them and raised $75 for RDA. We really are so thrilled with this gift and maybe a few more riders might like to give it a go. Thank you Emma, that was a great effort and it was lovely to see you come in and find Polly.
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This is a very user-friendly and versatile gingerbread dough, perfect to cut out into horse shapes and decorate with icing. The recipe makes about 40 biscuits in total.
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Prep time: 10 minutes - Chill time: 2 hours - Cook time:15 minutes
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1 tablespoon ground ginger
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1/2 cup golden syrup, warmed
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In a large bowl using an electric beater, mix the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, then the warmed golden syrup, and mix well.
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Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Wrap in plastic cling-film and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
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Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
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On a lightly floured board, roll the dough to 3-5mm thickness and cut with horse-shaped cookie cutter. Transfer to the prepared tray.
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Bake for 10-15 minutes. The biscuits should be just colouring brown at the edges.
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Cool for 15 minutes on the tray then move them to a wire rack. Ice and decorate when cold. Store in an airtight container.
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Horse Care News with Laura and Ali
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Photo: Snow on Port Hills
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Yay for spring! We made it! After another wet winter, it is so good to see all the blossoms around.
Thank you to our incredible volunteers who show up rain or shine, with their raincoats and gumboots, ready to brave the weather.
The CRDA Horse Care Team is composed of Ali Mallinson and Laura de Haro. Ali does the first half of the week and Laura the second half. Ali also exercises our horses.
It is so great to have them having more regular workouts, stretching, and massage treatments so that they can be extra happy and in tip-top shape for our riders and volunteers.
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Photo: Evacuating horses from flood zone
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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 please donate.
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Celebrating Horses' Birthday
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Did you know that all horses in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate their 'birthday' on the 1 August?
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Upcoming Dates
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9 Oct Welcome back. Term 4 starts
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30 Oct-4 Nov 50th Birthday Celebrations
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10-20 Nov CLOSED Canterbury A&P Show
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27 Nov-1 Dec Bring your Grandparents week
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6 Feb Closed Waitangi Day
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13 Feb Induction workshop for new volunteers
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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 riding sessions 9:00am - 2:30pm Monday to Friday during school terms.
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Next induction workshop for new volunteers is 13 February, 1-3pm
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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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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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Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Annette
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To find out more about Volunteering with CRDA, click the button ...
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A huge thank you to our Donors
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Alan Pullar Family Trust
Victoria League
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Tania Styles
Lions Club of Selwyn
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Rangiora Men's Friendship Group
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Z Energy - Hattrick Services
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A huge thank you to our Funders
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Contact Us
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Physical address
Northcote Drive, Inside Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram,
Christchurch, 8025
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Arena Booking Enquiries
Office
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