Bradbourne Group Riding For The Disabled Association

Who we are

A summer walk in the woods at Bradbourne

Bradbourne RDA provides the opportunity for therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities through riding and carriage driving.

RDA gives individuals the opportunity to:

- Reach therapeutic goals: improve muscle tone and posture, develop fine and gross motor movement
- Achieve their personal ambitions: sit on a horse for the first time, learn new skills
- Combat social isolation: build relationships, enjoy events and competition, develop self-confidence
- Develop life skills: improve communication, take responsibility, be a team player
- Experience the outdoors: ride in the countryside, access rural Britain
- Connect with animals: bringing positivity and optimism, adding a new element to life

Carriage driving at Bradbourne RDA

Here at Bradbourne RDA we encourage our riders and carriage drivers to take RDA proficiency tests and to compete in local, regional and even national RDA competitions. We are also involved in a country-wide course, ASDAN, which enables riders to gain a recognised qualification in horse care and management alongside their riding skills.

Bradbourne RDA is a community of unpaid volunteers specifically trained to ensure that our activities are carried out in a professional, safe, friendly and fun environment. We run 36 sessions per week on average, amounting to over 4500 rides per year.

A young rider helping to tack up

We have a team of riding and carriage driving coaches, together with over 100 other volunteers, to coach and assist the riders and carriage drivers and to look after the horses. We have a variety of horses and ponies to suit many different riders, and all have been particularly chosen for their temperament and carefully trained for RDA work.

Our fundraising enables us to continue providing riding and carriage driving for people with a huge range of disabilities and we are very grateful for any help you can give us.