17 May 2023
By Claire Chandler
Planning permission gained for new £1m RDA Centre

Planning permission gained for new £1m RDA Centre

Uncategorized
Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is celebrating the approval of planning permission to construct a modern riding therapy facility at its new site between Llangrove and Whitchurch in the South of the county.  The new centre will include a 30m x 60m indoor riding arena and hydraulic rider hoist, viewing area, 15 stables and a mechanical therapy horse room.   The RDA has outgrown its current home at Holme Lacy College and has been looking for a larger site that will allow for much-needed development.  Over 100 people, aged 5 to 75, currently attend weekly riding therapy sessions, but the…
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31 Jan 2023
By Claire Chandler
AGM Thursday 16th Feb from 6.30pm at the Shell Store.

AGM Thursday 16th Feb from 6.30pm at the Shell Store.

Events, Uncategorized
We are delighted to invite you to our 2023 AGM, this year it will be held on Thursday 16th February 2023 from 6.30pm until 8.30pm at the Shell Store Incubation Centre in Rotherwas, HR2 6JT All RDA riders, supporters & volunteers are very welcome to attend, there will be tea, coffee and cake provided at the meeting. This years meeting will cover an update on our current financial situation, approving last year's accounts and giving an update on our plans to take the RDA forward in 2023/24, plus rider and volunteer awards.  It is free to attend - just register yourself…
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19 Dec 2022
By Claire Chandler
Christmas Holiday!

Christmas Holiday!

Horses, Uncategorized
It's that time of year again when all the RDA horses go off on their Christmas break to enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation in the field Oh! What a wonderful time they will all have...... HRDA centre will be closed from the Monday 19th December until Thursday 5th January 2023. All the HRDA team would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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06 Sep 2022
By Claire Chandler
30th Celebration Tea Party Success

30th Celebration Tea Party Success

communication, Donations, Events, Fundraising, Uncategorized
We can’t say thank you enough! All of us at Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled would like to thank each and everyone of you who attended and made donations on Saturday 20th August 2022. HRDA Centre manager Claire Chandler and RDA coach said: Our 30th celebration Tea Party was a great success, over 80 people attended; including the Mayor and High Sherriff of Hereford, which gained a lot of press and we raised over £450.00 on the day from the raffle, mechanical horse rides and tea/cake stall.Claire Chandler The money raised from the event will directly help HRDA to continue…
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19 Jul 2022
By Claire Chandler
Tea Party Fundraiser – Sat 20 August – save this date!

Tea Party Fundraiser – Sat 20 August – save this date!

Events, Fundraising, Uncategorized, , , ,
We are planning a fabulous summer tea party and fundraiser to commemorate 3 decades at Holme Lacy and celebrate all of our valued support from volunteers, managers and horses over the years - and of course our riders. This will take place 1pm-3.30pm (free admission via a prebooking link on Eventbrite - watch this space!) We'll have a super RAFFLE and tunes from the 1990's onwards, plus activities and cake, plenty of cake! Details to follow - be ready to share with friends SATURDAY 20 AUGUST for the afternoon.
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19 May 2022
By Claire Chandler
Treat the ponies and support HRDA

Treat the ponies and support HRDA

Donations, ,
There is a new way to support us. We've created an Amazon Wish List. If you want to donate to us but would rather buy us a gift, just click the link. Why not take a peek? Everything's super useful and will go straight to our therapeutic services.  You can format in cost order to spend £5 or upwards - some items are for the horses as a treat, like the salt licks, which they love to have! Other horsey bits are fly sprays, fly masks, grooming brushes, hoof spray and head collars in three sizes. We’d love a couple …
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12 May 2022
By Claire Chandler
Volunteer Drive – summer 2022

Volunteer Drive – summer 2022

Uncategorized, Volunteering, , , ,
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK is Mon 9 May to Sun 15 - to explore the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities. We believer our supportive environment can help many more people with all kinds of social anxieties. We want to try and help!As you may know, Holme Lacy is home to up to ten RDA horses, a range of dedicated volunteers and two staff. Everyone is trained and qualified to deliver the best possible riding experiences - based on user needs, personal ambitions…
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26 Apr 2022
By Claire Chandler
New! Supporter meetups: first Weds of month, 12-3pm

New! Supporter meetups: first Weds of month, 12-3pm

Events, Horses, Volunteering, , , ,
Now summer is coming we'd love to see more of you - come back in person to chat about our activities at Holme Lacy, so that we can help supporters to self manage a couple of mini project plans around our upcoming fundraising. We'd like to welcome everyone on a regular day and time, so this can also double up as a drop in for other visitors who could like a chat with everyone. We suggest the first Wednesday of the month, 12 til 3pm: 90 minutes structured + 90 minutes for guests to improvise or drop in Lets all…
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19 Apr 2022
By Claire Chandler
Hereford Buffs Race Night – fundraiser

Hereford Buffs Race Night – fundraiser

Donations, Events, Fundraising, Horses, , , ,
First Race 19:30 - Railway ClubSaturday 23rd April 2022GWRSA, BARTON YARD, HR4 OAZ This weekend there is a charity fundraiser for HRDA in Hereford at the Railway Club, by Hereford Buffs. It is a racing evening where you can enjoy watching some equine sports and donate to support our therapy horses and riders. Take a friend and enjoy some camaraderie to support the therapies we offer. Some of the names in the re-runs might be familiar, but our calm ponies are not the actual racers! Free Entry. DONATE CASH FOR DISABLED RIDERS& SUPERB THERAPY HORSESDINKY - TILLY - MG -…
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12 Apr 2022
By Claire Chandler
Easter Fun Day:

Easter Fun Day:

Volunteering, , , ,
HEREFORDSHIRE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED at Hintons, Leominster 10am - 3pm on Saturday 16 April 2022 Hintons Country and Garden in Leominster are hosting an Easter Fun Day for all the family this Easter Saturday, 16 April from 10am - 3pm. The event is free, although donations are encouraged for participating charities. Lambs, chicks and a pony will be on site. Fun activities include a Draw the Easter Bunny Competition, Treasure Hunt,  Face Painting, Plant a Sunflower, Pet Photography, Hintons Raffle, special shopping discounts and more … Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled (HRDA) are attending alongside Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Hereford…
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05 Apr 2022
By Claire Chandler
RDA Strategy for 2022-2025; ‘Transforming Lives Across the UK’

RDA Strategy for 2022-2025; ‘Transforming Lives Across the UK’

communication, , , , ,
The RDA Strategy for 2022-2025 is called ‘Transforming Lives Across the UK’ (with pdf, Word and audio versions and a new publicity film too). There is also a lovely message of support and thanks from our President, HRH The Princess Royal;“This new strategy signals a moment of change and opportunity for all of us involved in RDA as we seek to re-build and resume our work following a difficult two years. United by our goal to bring the benefits of horses to as many disabled people as possible, we have a chance to make even more of a difference to…
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16 Mar 2022
By Claire Chandler
Horse Care classes are starting!

Horse Care classes are starting!

Horses, Therapeutic services,
If you fancy spending time with our RDA horses and learning how to care for them, these new Horse Care sessions will hit the spot! We offer small group sessions for a range of ages and abilities. Participants will gain practical equine skills across handling and leading, feeding and watering, grooming, tack and equipment, plus general horse anatomy and physiology. Share this knowledge with family, friends, teachers or carers! The six week module includes a certificate on completion. The cost is £12 per session for 45 minutes. This is a huge hint - these classes make a terrific gift if…
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16 Mar 2022
By Claire Chandler
HIPPOTHERAPY RETURNS TO HRDA

HIPPOTHERAPY RETURNS TO HRDA

Therapeutic services
Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled welcomes the re-introduction of equine-based therapy at Holme Lacy this Spring, to support even more riders in the local community. Hippotherapy is when a coach uses horse riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment. The horse’s motion can improve coordination, balance, and strength while having fun. Physiotherapist Vicky Fudge leads the Hippotherapy sessions, and Vicky says; “Working closely with HRDA is terrific - because we share the same goals to give younger riders more confidence.” Vicky delivers her enhanced support live on horseback or via the centres’ mechanical horse (he’s called ‘Steady Eddie’). Slots are…
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16 Mar 2022
By Claire Chandler
SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER

communication, Horses, Uncategorized, Volunteering
Give us a nudge if you haven't yet seen our latest newslettter! We are expanding the outreach and welcome new readers. Inside, you will find volunteer event news, donor updates and our new services and schedules for classes like our new HORSE CARE weekly sessions, or specialised HIPPOTHERAPY support with a visiting physio, Vicky Fudge (applications to book for these are via admin@rdahereford.org). This issue also plugs our team of #HRDAtalent22 -with the riders and volunteer awards for exceptional dedication - well done everyone.
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10 Jan 2022
By Claire Chandler
FESTIVE OPEN DAY AND RAFFLE 2021

FESTIVE OPEN DAY AND RAFFLE 2021

Events, Fundraising, , , ,
We'd like to acknowledge everyone who supported our festive Open day and Grand Raffle, Dec 15 2021.The fundraiser generated £322.50 toward our running costs. Tilly came out for a meet and greet, Steady Eddie rocked the tinsel and several people got lucky with raffle wins. We thank the generous businesses in our community for offering such good prizes:WAITROSE - festive hamper HEREFORD DELI – festive hamperPAUL LIGAS PHOTOGRAPHY – art print (choose from web) THE COURTYARD – 2 cinema vouchersRADWAY BRIDGE - shopping voucherCROCHET BLANKET - hand made UNISEX MITTENS - hand knittedWILD COCKTAILS - hardback recipe book WESTONS –…
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16 Nov 2021
By Claire Chandler
Daniel and Lady qualify : RDA National Championships 2021

Daniel and Lady qualify : RDA National Championships 2021

Uncategorized, ,
Back in July we were thrilled to submit some of our riders to the virtual regional qualifiers at the National RDA Championships. Everyone achieved strong results, gaining rosettes and certificates to mark the occasion. Daniel Bailey was our NC qualifier, (going over the 63% threshold), and achieving great feedback from the Judge with a score of 67% on an unled walk and trot. Very well done to Daniel and to our fabulous pony, Lady!
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30 Mar 2021
By Claire Chandler
Welcome back from the 12th April!

Welcome back from the 12th April!

Uncategorized
We're pleased to announce with lockdown restrictions easing, we are reopening the Herefordshire RDA centre on Monday 12th April 2021, this is in line with the governments’ second phase of the easement plan.At Christmas all the RDA horses and ponies went for a two-week staycation at a nearby farm and were well looked after by one of our amazing volunteers and their family. As the end of the year approached everyone was looking forward to their Christmas festivities and the two-week break, after a very difficult 2020!  The centre closed its doors on Friday 18th December after the final lesson…
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12 Feb 2020
By Claire Chandler
Stable Management Lessons

Stable Management Lessons

Uncategorized
Come along this half term and learn more about horse care and stable management. All participants will learn about grooming, horse health and daily care tasks. Everyone will also get an RDA proficiency certificate, badge and rosette. Sessions: Monday 17th February: 10 am - 11amWednesday 19th February: 10am - 11amThursday 20th February: 10am - 11am and 1.45pm - 2.45pm To book a place - please contact Emily in the office (admin@rdahereford.org) or call 01432 870831
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11 Jan 2020
By Claire Chandler
Volunteers Urgently Required

Volunteers Urgently Required

Uncategorized
We are in urgent of need of more volunteers to enable us to run riding therapy sessions at our base at Holme Lacy College. At present, we have new clients on our waiting list and can't offer them riding therapy due to not having enough volunteers. Volunteering with us involves either helping in a riding session, leading a pony or walking beside a rider, or helping on our stable yard with practical tasks. There is no requirement for any experience of horses or working with disabled clients before - as full training is given. We are looking for people able…
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08 Mar 2015
By Claire Chandler
Little Star

Little Star

Horses
A Big Hoorahhhhhhhh, Little Star is now a fully fledged member of the HRDA Team.  Thankyou to her owner Heather Dixon for allowing us to have her with us.
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