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Mo Begg - Cotswold Riding for the Disabled

On Wednesday 18th May 2011, Mo Begg attended our meeting to talk to us about Cotswold Riding for the Disabled.

History

  •  The national group, Riding for the Disabled was founded in 1969. In 1986, HRH Princess Royal became president of the national group. The charity helps 23,000 people nationwide.
  • Cotswold Riding for the Disabled is a member of the group, but with the exception of one type of insurance, they receive no funding from the group and all fundraising must be done by the local group.

What Cotswold Riding for the Disabled do

  • Cotswold group provide lessons or sessions for 200 people each week and are supported by approx 100 volunteers.
  • They are based at Jackie Brutton Riding Centre at Cheltenham Racecourse in a purpose built building, which was constructed in 1982 using funds from the estate of the late Jackie Brutton.
  • Volunteers help with collecting, walking and grooming the ponies as well as helping with lessons by either leading the ponies or sidewalking with the rider.
  • Provides lessons Sunday morning and Monday to Thursday, all day throughout term-time. Two thirds of riders are of school age with the remainder being disabled adults.
  • There is a small charge for lessons, £2.00 for children and £5.00 for adults.
  • There is a ramp and steps to assist able-bodied with getting onto ponies with a hoist available for the less able bodied. The motor on the hoist is failing and will need replacement shortly.
  • Games are incorporated into lessons to get riders stretching and reaching. RDA approach a rider’s physio to find out what the individual can do.
  • Lessons take place inside at the riding school and outside within the racecourse itself.
  • On Fridays volunteers take the ponies riding outside the racecourse toget them to experience new sights and sounds and expose them to unusual sounds so that they can cope better with these if they experience them in a lesson.
  • They currently have 8 ponies but should have 12 ponies. Five have been trialled, but have failed for various reasons.


Awards and achievements

Ponies and riders sometimes go to shows or gymkhanas. Awards are given for adults and children who show the greatest progression as well as to young volunteers. Grades are awarded for efforts and achievements in riding.


Holidays

RDA provides riding holidays in Wales at a centre for disabled riding with bungalow accommodation. Six riders, six leaders and six side walkers will go at any one time – costs £120 per rider with volunteers not paying for accommodation. RDA covers all other costs and provides activities for when riders are not with ponies.

 

Cheltenham Sparks hope to work with Cotswold Riding for the Disabled in the near future.