For Katherine, finding a place where her daughter Elliot truly felt understood was not always easy.
Like many parents of neuro-diverse children, Katherine had spent years searching for activities and environments where Elliot could feel safe, accepted, and able to simply be herself.
“Finding a place where Elliot felt calm, supported, accepted, and genuinely able to be herself was not always easy,” Katherine says.
For Elliot, who is neurodivergent, everyday situations that many children move through comfortably could often feel overwhelming and exhausting for Elliot. Traditional sports, busy group environments, and classroom settings could be difficult to navigate, and over time, that sense of isolation began to impact Elliot’s confidence and sense of belonging.
Then the family found New Zealand Riding for the Disabled.
And slowly, something began to change.
Each week, Elliot arrives at NZRDA knowing she is stepping into a calm and structured environment where she feels safe, understood, and connected. Surrounded by trusted horses, supportive volunteers, coaches, and other riders, NZRDA has become much more than just an activity.
Elliot riding at RDA, celebrating confidence and achievement.
“It is her place. Her routine. Her community,” Katherine explains. “A place where she feels understood.”
Over time, Katherine has watched her daughter grow in ways she never expected.
“The change I’ve seen in Elliot has been incredible,” she says. “She is building confidence in herself, connecting more comfortably with others, and developing independence, communication skills, and a real sense of achievement.”
For Elliot, NZRDA has also helped shape something even more important — identity.
“NZRD has given Elliot a sense of identity,” Katherine says. “Elliot now proudly describes herself as neuro-diverse, and being part of NZRDA has helped her embrace who she is with confidence and pride.”
At NZRDA, Elliot is not defined by the challenges she faces. Instead, she is recognised for her strengths, her individuality, and what she is capable of achieving.
The impact has extended far beyond the riding arena.
Katherine says NZRDA has also helped her connect with other parents and families who understand the realities and challenges that can come with raising neuro-diverse children.
“For families who can often feel isolated, that sense of community matters enormously,” she says.
Those shared conversations, connections, and relationships have become an important source of support for the whole family.
Stories like Elliot’s highlight the life-changing impact therapeutic horse riding programmes can have for riders and their whānau across Aotearoa.
Every week, NZRDA programmes help riders build confidence, communication skills, emotional wellbeing, coordination, independence, and connection through the powerful relationship between riders, horses, coaches, and volunteers.
As demand for NZRDA services continues to grow, more families are reaching out for support and connection.
For Elliot and her family, NZRDA has become a place where confidence can grow, friendships can form, and riders can feel proud of exactly who they are.
“It has given Elliot confidence, connection, routine, community, and a place where she truly feels she belongs,” Katherine says.
Help More Riders Like Elliot
Right now, more riders and families across Aotearoa are reaching out for support, connection, and a place where they can truly belong.
Your support can help provide therapeutic horse riding sessions, trained coaches and volunteers, and safe, well-cared-for horses that make stories like Elliot’s possible.
Donate today to help more riders experience the confidence, connection, and independence NZRD makes possible.
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