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 was completed.
On Monday 4th January the RDA staff and horses returned to the centre. It was full swing ahead to get everything set up and ready to welcome our riders back on Wednesday 6th January 2021. Unfortunately, lockdown 3.0 was then announced and before we could get started, we had to stop everything and close the centre for the third time. All staff were furloughed and the nine RDA horses and ponies remained out of work, receiving only essential care.
Looking back over the past 3 months. We have been very lucky to have survived the lock down period and be in a position to open up again. The horses and ponies have been superbly looked after by a team of willing volunteers and we are now starting the horses fitness training to ease them back into work, ensuring they are ready for lessons in April.
It will be a phased return for riders, following government guidelines on social distancing, but the future is looking bright and we are very excited to be able to offer our specialist services again.
