BLOG WEDNESDAY 28^th 2010

Brilliant coverage of RDA on the GOOD MORNING show this morning. Big thanks to TVNZ for covering our work and promoting us to the wider community. It is great to be able to really let people know what we are doing.

Yesterday Michael Walker, top NZ Jockey, attended the Open Day at the Te Awamutu Group RDA and describes it as a humbling experience. You can see some of the picture of his time there by clicking on the link below:

http://www.michaelwalker.co.nz/tawamutu-riding-for-the-disabled-photos.html

We are always interested in your views and what you really think about our work – comments thoughts and suggestions through the website or on Facebook (Nz Rda) and Twitter (@nzrda) are appreciated.

Riding for the Disabled means so much to so many people. Every year over 3000 riders come to RDA and with 1500 volunteers, not to mention the horses, we deliver over 1.5 million rides per year.

So what happens when you got to an RDA for your first time? What you might discover first is that there is a bit of “paper work” that has to be done to make sure we have your details and how we might assist. Then the Coach will work alongside of you to help establish some goals for you and what you want to achieve during your time at RDA. RDA in New Zealand has a goal centred approach – we want the Riders to get the best out of their time. So each time you come we will be helping you work on your goals – getting to where you want to be.

So each day you come the lessons, rides and rallies will be about you.

As you will appreciate this means that a lot of time is spent outside of “rides” making sure that our volunteers and staff are well qualified in the latest methodologies.

Training for all RDA Groups in New Zealand is provided by the National Organisation by the NZRDA National Training Coordinator and the NZRDA Training Team. All highly qualified they work with our volunteers and staff to ensure that their skill level is of the highest calibre.

This takes time but our training, our skills and our methods are gaining an international reputation. We want to be the best and we want to be able to provide the best service we can for our Riders. The individual approach we take with all our Riders is proving to be invaluable and best of all it works.

If you have the time tomorrow (Wednesday 28^th April) then make sure you watch “Good Morning” on TVONE, just after 9:00 am and you will see what we do.

Monday April 26^th 2010

Being out in the community and doing our work is what we do best. There are 54 RDA Groups across NZ just quietly looking to do the best that they can for the riders that come to them.

Riding for the Disabled provides therapeutic interaction with horse in order to develop increased ability and self esteem for children and adults with physical intellectual disabilities.

This week is Riding for the Disabled Awareness Week. Officially we started yesterday – ANZAC DAY. But in absolute deference to those men and women who have gone before us and performed so courageously in the various theatres of war, we start today. Nothing should cut across our respect for these people, ever.

There is a lot that will be happening across the country and a variety of activities – and there are those Groups that got out and about earlier to raise their profile in their communities.

The Hastings and Hawera Groups have already been out and about promoting themselves to their community and we know that there will not be a person in those districts who wasn’t made aware of the wonderful work that they are doing in their communities

Michael Walker (www.michaelwalker.co.nz), top New Zealand jockey is also promoting us across his website and through his actions visiting RDA Groups as well. You can read about why he has become involved and why he thinks we do so well.

Throughout the week there will be advertisements playing on the ZM network and Coast FM, these great people have got in behind us and are making sure that you get to hear about us.

Did you see the great Article about Melanie Kerr in a recent New Idea – she spoke of how important she thought RDA was and what it means for her to be involved. Thanks Melanie we have heard that you are a terrific and hard working volunteer as well.

Stay in touch through the blog and we look forward to raising the profile of RDA even more

PS thanks for your help, it is always appreciated.

RDA Awareness Week is nearly here 25 April – 01 May 2010.  Watch out for activities in your local area.