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Spring at long last. That was a tough winter but with a fantastic team on board and enthusiastic riders and their families, we have had a very successful term 3.
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Horses and ponies look really healthy through into spring and have been benefitting from some structured schooling with a new RDA team member Ali Mallinson .Ali has been putting in some regular training for them and will continue to do so next term.
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Included in team members we have a new equine member. Cinnamon, a St James horse, purchased by CRDA and entered into our programme with a lovely trusting nature, good movement, calm manner and easy going with paddock mates. Cinnamon has been used in session towards end of this term and is already loved and enjoyed by some of our riders. She arrived with nothing to her name and I would like to thank the Grant family who have sponsored all the tack and equipment Cinnamon will require. She is a lucky horse and looks very happy in her new attire. This wonderful gift has been given in memory of two very dear family members Jeffrey and Cameron who loved the connection with horses during their lives.
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The Grant family loved the opportunity to meet Cinnamon and see all her new gear
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CRDA is back into full swing with a large variety of hires again after two rather lean years due to Covid.It is wonderful to see the arena, the park and the different park users all looking spruced up and actively making things happen for the community. There is nothing more heart-warming than seeing our facilities being enjoyed by other enthusiastic and active clubs, teams and events. We are very fortunate to have been chosen by The Oz Car Show on the 16th of October to be their charity of choice this year. We will have some willing assistants out there helping them to raise awareness and funds at this fun event.
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I very much hope we are over the worst and the future sees a rise in good health for all friends and family, co-workers and support personnel…. everyone has had enough of being unwell. We are loving the sight of smiling faces again as the restrictions on mask wearing is relaxed. We do however respect everyone’s own personal preference on the subject of masks and you will see some people still choose to wear them. We still encourage everyone to wash hands regularly, use sanitiser after using shared items and stay at home if you are unwell.
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Wishing you all good health
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Introductory Dressage Competition at CRDA
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This term saw the return of our Dressage event after being unable to run one due to Covid restrictions.
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We were lucky to have Karen Daniel from Canterbury Dressage as our judge and her support and kind words of encouragement were well received by our riders.
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9 riders participated in the event taking part in either a walk or walk trot test. All rode independently and with great focus and determination, they looked very smart and professional on their chosen horses and ponies The horses were sparkling thanks to the staff and volunteers putting in the hard work earlier in the day. Brow bands were decorated in RDA colours, horses groomed, tack polished, Dressage arena set and plenty of help on the sand. It was lovely to see the support from families, friends and carers in the audience and for them to understand why we are so proud of how much these riders have achieved.
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It was a real pleasure to have Paris Gorlick who holds the award for NZRDA rider of the year 2021 present participation trophies to all the riders along with their personal score sheets. Paris understood what it is like to enter in this event, she took part in the last one two years ago.
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A very big thank you to Jenny Nicol for putting this event together and for all the coaches and volunteers who worked with our riders to help them succeed. Well done everyone.
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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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Our horses rescued from the flooded paddocks and in the nice warm stables!
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We all love getting out and about in the park on a sunny day!
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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 Administrator Debbie
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To find out more about Volunteering with CRDA, just click the button...
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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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"Volunteering is good for the heart and soul "
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Ben's Journey at Christchurch RDA.....
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Ben and his family have always had horses in their lives and when the opportunity came along, for Ben aged 8, to attend RDA in Christchurch we were thrilled.
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Ben loved every minute of it. Ben has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy and is reliant on others to access his environment. Ben is unable to sit independently but that was no obstacle for the team at RDA. Ben was able to ride with someone leading his horse and with two side walkers. He was able to access the horse via the wheelchair ramp and was able to be transferred onto his mount.
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Ben gained much pleasure over the years from riding many different horses at RDA. First there was Blokey, who was a cheeky little chestnut with a nice smooth walk that allowed Ben to maintain his head control and balance with assistance. Blokey was also good for lying sideways on too, over a sheepskin. He loved treats and would sniff Ben all over while Ben waited to mount him. Ben also enjoyed riding Spatz and in later years, dear old Fred.
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The families horse Remo also spent time at RDA as a therapy horse for older riders. Ben gained so much from attending RDA, not only has he enjoyed the interaction with the horses but gained physical therapy from the movement of the horse, thus encouraging balance and strength building. Ben enjoyed the sensory experience of being around horses through movement, smell, the touch of their coats and warmth of their bodies. RDA is also a very social place for meeting other riders and their families. Ben formed great relationships with the coaches and volunteers and would squeal with delight when we entered Canterbury Park. This lovely painting of Ben and Blokey was painted by Carol Fowler who use to volunteer at RDA. It captures the uncomplicated relationship between horse and rider and what pleasure animals can give us.
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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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Edit this to insert text.
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Physical address
Northcote Drive, Inside Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram,
Christchurch, 8025
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