Social & Special Interest Groups
Otley & District Riding for the Disabled Group
We are based at ACRECLIFFE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE at Ellar Ghyll, Otley.
However, our riders (and helpers) come from various parts of North Leeds, Bradford and the Aire & Wharfe valleys. There are no geographical restrictions on who can come to us.
OUR FACILITIES
- RDA qualified instructors & helpers
- specially selected ponies and horses
- use of indoor arena (with viewers' gallery) and outdoor arena
- mounting block and ramp for ease of mounting
- disabled access and parking
- portakabin with tea & coffee making facilities and disabled toilet
SOME IMPORTANT DATES FROM OUR ARCHIVES:
- 1987 – Otley & District RDA group established
- 1991 – HRH Princess Anne, RDA President, visited us
- 2002 – our first annual riding holiday in the Yorkshire Dales
- 2004 – we bought our first pony, Sylvester
WHAT HAPPENS IN A RIDING SESSION?
We usually ride in groups of about four, for a half hour session. Private/longer lessons can be arranged.
Every class has an RDA qualified instructor and as many helpers as necessary. To begin with each rider has someone to lead the pony and two people to walk either side, with a steadying hand on the lower leg if the rider so wishes.
Over time many riders will feel able, gradually, to reduce the number of personal helpers they need. Some may dispense with helpers altogether at the instructor's discretion. There is no time limit and no hard and fast rules about these things. Every rider is an individual.
SAFETY
We pay particular attention to safety. Every rider must have medical consent and those under 18yrs must have the consent of a parent/guardian.
Great emphasis is laid on the suitability not only of the ponies and horses for RDA work in general but also on the suitability of any particular pony or horse for each individual rider.
However, it must be remembered that no sporting activity can be guaranteed 100% safe.
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