Gaddesden Place Riding and Driving for the Disabled Group
Briden's Camp, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 6EX
Registered Charity Number 1074313
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Gaddesden Place Riding and Driving for the Disabled Group Briden's Camp, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 6EX Registered Charity Number 1074313
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RIDERS This poem by one of our adult riders won 1st prize in the 2009 RDA Eastern Region Poetry Competition. I’m not a “natural” rider (apart from in my dreams) But when I joined the RDA they said “not what it seems” “you may be weak and floppy (and paralysed, of course) “We’ll sort you out-,improve your strength” Then put me on a horse!
I shed a tear or two as slowly we progressed I’d never sat astride a horse but readily confessed And smiles all round as I stayed on Confidence grew and fear all gone.
And now a whole year later (and still without a fall) I can sit firm and upright and really owe it all To RDA- the organisers and cheerful volunteers We love you all, and horses too, and offer you three cheers!
Janet Birch (Rider) Gaddesden Place RDA WHAT OUR RIDERS SAY “I thought riding was absolutely super duper! Not just because I was riding a fab horse but because I always wanted to do horse riding and it is great there!!! It is fabulous!” “Initially he was very nervous and stiff on the horse but after a few lessons he was more relaxed. Even though it was difficult getting out of bed on a cold early morning starts he looked forward to his horse riding. At the Christmas party he said “I know you said they were having a party but didn’t think it would be THIS good!!!” “Thanks so much again for organising this for the children. It really helped their balance, coordination and confidence” “The people have been so kind and friendly to all of us and we would like to thank them for the hard work they put in to making the riding such fun.”
RIDERS We teach riders with a very wide range of physical and learning disabilities. These include such disabilities as:
Some of our riders are wheelchair users. People come to us from within a 30 mile radius of our Centre. Most of our riders are children who come to us with their schools or care homes as part of their sports curriculum. We also have a number of individual riders who come mid-week or on Saturdays, and children who attend mainstream school but manage to fit in a weekly riding session.
  OUR FACILITIES We have special facilities such as a disabled toilet with wheelchair access, a hydraulic mounting ramp and special reins and saddles to make riding easier and more comfortable for disabled riders. For carers, teachers, parents and friends there's a viewing gallery with seating for 30+ people and infrared heaters to take the chill off! Our large indoor school means we can ride in all but the worst of the British weather. It has a new sand and rubber surface and large arena mirrors so riders can check they are riding in the correct position or just admire themselves. We have a small kitchen which is due to be renovated shortly (see the Fundraising page) but volunteers can produce a hot drink on request.
RIDING SESSIONS Most riding sessions are for half an hour but can be more or less according to the needs and ability of the rider. Most riders benefit from the social interaction of a group lesson but one-on-one instruction is sometimes appropriate. Sessions are tailored to ability and exercises and games may be designed to improve balance, core strength, speech, coordination, socialisation or teach a particular skill but the emphasis is on fun. Courtesy of the Halsey family, we are lucky to have access to the Gaddesden Ride on the beautiful Gaddesden Estate. This means we can take our riders for hacks through woods and across open fields with views across the Gade Valley, for sightings of cows, sheep, rabbits, pheasants, roe deer, muntjacs, guinea fowl and even a peacock! Our really experienced riders are able to canter on this ride. These views may be familiar as the estate is regularly used as a filming location. We have a very popular Christmas party where riders play mounted games and Santa pays a visit on a reindeer who looks suspiciously like a pony… Our riders do get the opportunity to compete if they wish, for example at the RDA Regional competition which is currently held at Oaklands college in St Albans. Qualifiers from this competition can go on to compete at the National Competition at Hartpury in Gloucestershire. We also have close links with our local Pony Club and are encouraging competitions where disabled and able bodied compete together as a team. Many Paralympic medal winners started riding at their local RDA group! BECOMING A RIDER AT GADDESDEN First, Contact Us.
We're always very happy to hear from you, to talk things over on the phone
or in person, and guide you through the simple application process.
There's a form to fill in, of course - see After our Group Organiser has received your completed and signed form she will ask you to attend an assessment session with an instructor to fit you with a riding hat and boots and then decide which would be the most appropriate pony and time for you to ride. The group organiser will then confirm if a regular slot is available. If we cannot offer you a slot straight away you'll join our waiting list and be offered a holiday ride until a regular slot is available.  |
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