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About Christchurch RDA

We use horses to help disabled children and adults grow stronger, more confident and more independent.

Why horses?

The movement of a horse at walk is close to the movement of the human pelvis. For riders with cerebral palsy, muscle weakness or poor balance, it works the core, posture and hips in a way ordinary exercise often can't.

Lila's latest hip X-ray improved on last year's. Read her story.

A rider in a helmet sitting on a dark horse, supported by a coach and two volunteers in the therapy room
Riders on horseback and volunteers lined up on the grass outside the arena building

Our vision

Reach more riders, change more lives.

Torohia te tini kaieke hōiho, whakapikitia te oranga.

A few words about us

We're part of the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association. Six qualified coaches, a small staff team and 90 volunteers run sessions five days a week.

We're an incorporated society and a registered charity. Grants, sponsors and donations keep riding affordable for families.

The Wednesday volunteer crew sitting on hay bales in the barn, waving at the camera

Our coaches

A smiling woman with curly hair and glasses, wearing a grey jacketJean GreyHead Coach
A woman with short grey hair in a floral shirt and navy vest, seated in the arenaOroro MunroeCoach, therapy programme
A woman with shoulder-length fair hair in a navy top, seated in the arenaWanda MaximoffCoach, education programme
A smiling woman with her hair tied back, in a navy polo shirt, seated in the arenaKamala KhanCoach, sport and recreation

Meet the whole team

Common questions

Who can ride?

Anyone aged four and over with a physical, intellectual, sensory or learning disability. No experience needed.

What does it cost?

$XX per session (placeholder). Funding help is available, so please ask.

Do volunteers need horse experience?

No. We train everyone at a free workshop. Volunteer with us.

Where are you?

123 Somewhere Road, Christchurch. Our indoor arena is fully accessible.

Our place

The empty indoor arena with a sand floor
Aerial view of the horse yards and tree-lined paddocks

A 40m by 80m indoor arena

Riding goes ahead in any weather. See our facility.

Could riding help someone you know?

Talk to us about a place.