RDA's Accessibility Mark supports Kitty to learn to ride
12-year-old Kitty loves horses. She has loved them ever since she first sat on a horse at six months old during an equine therapy session. With support from Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the Accessibility Mark scheme, Kitty has achieved her goal of learning to ride. The Accessibility Mark scheme is delivered in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation.
Kitty has quadriplegic cerebral palsy which affects all the muscles in her body and her speech.
Four years ago Kitty asked her Dad, Simon, if she could learn to ride. She loved the idea of participating in a sport that didn't involve her wheelchair.
Having tried a number of different stables that didn't quite fulfil Kitty's needs, she started riding at Grove Farm Riding School in Iden, Sussex. Grove Farm is an Accessibility Mark accredited centre and has undergone training with the RDA.
Kitty said:
"Grove Farm was the only stables that talked to me and actually asked me what I wanted to do, so it was definitely the place for me."
Kitty rides at Grove Farm once a week and has developed a great relationship with her instructor, Jess, and her helper, Georgia. Together, the three of them have lots of fun. Georgia walks alongside Kitty to support her to keep the correct position.
"When I am riding I feel like I am in control of everything - where I go and what the horse does. I love looking after animals and my favourite pony is called Jimmy.
"He is black and white with a little moustache and in the summer he gets itchy and they have to put sun cream on his nose! I love cuddling him, which he is very happy to let me do."
Once a week, Kitty also rides at Fairlight RDA in Hastings, which is closer to home, meaning that she can ride mid-week too. Here she gets to participate in group lessons, which she loves.
Kitty provides a great example of how RDA and Accessibility Mark work together to ensure individuals gain maximum benefit from their sessions, as well as setting and working towards common goals.
In order to best support Kitty, the RDA regional physiotherapist and regional coach, along with Grove Farm coaches, Jess and Georgia, met with the Fairlight RDA coach. They worked together to assess Kitty's riding and to ensure everyone is consistent in their coaching.
To achieve her goal of riding off the lead rein, it is vital that the lesson planning at both Fairlight and Grove Farm are all geared towards the same aims with safety being paramount.
Kitty added:
"The team at RDA talk to me and each other in order to work out what is best for me. I love riding at both centres, meeting new people and having fun outdoors."
Like her hero, Sophie Christiansen, Kitty hopes to one day compete in dressage at the Paralympics and having already competed at two competitions with more planned this year, her coaches are sure she will do all she can to fulfil her ambition.
