First Commercial Riding Centre gains RDA Accessibility Mark
Radway Riding Centre in Warwickshire has become the first commercial centre in the England to be Accessibility Mark accredited under a new pilot project by Riding for the Disabled Association. The aim of the project is to help many more disabled people to experience the freedom and benefits of riding.
The project is being developed and launched by Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in partnership with Hoof, the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) legacy programme and funded by Sport England. It is hoped the Accessibility Mark will become an industry standard alongside British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools and The Pony Club approved centres. The Mark demonstrates that a centre has undergone specialist training by RDA to enable them to offer rider progression through fun, safe and inclusive riding for people with disabilities.
Maggie Boswell, Proprietor of Radway Riding School is thoroughly excited to be a part of the Accessibility Mark project:
“As a commercial riding centre the Accessibility Mark has given us the confidence to expand our client base to be a fully inclusive riding establishment with the help and guidance of the RDA. We have always wanted to be as inclusive as possible but have lacked the confidence and expertise to do so – the Accessibility Mark has now allowed us to do this and we look forward to welcoming lots of new riders in the future and working closely with RDA”
There are currently 30,000 riders at 500 RDA Groups around the country, but demand is such that many Groups have waiting lists. This new project allows for an additional pathway into riding for disabled people and allows for potential development and rider progression through lessons at a commercial facility. Molly Rickwood of Quest RDA Group said:
“Accessibility Mark Scheme will further the Association's mission to ensure inclusion in equestrianism for as many disabled people as possible, For local RDA groups, the Accessibility Mark will stimulate co-operation between them and Accessibility Marked Riding Stables. This will encourage the exchange of ideas and skills, leading to improved standards of provision and the development of more centres of equestrian excellence providing services for disabled children and adults. Riders with disabilities will have more choice, wider horizons in equestrianism and greater opportunities for progression."
Accessibility Mark is a Sport England Funded initiative that has been developed by Riding for the Disabled Association in partnership with Hoof to ensure more disabled people have access to horse riding. The pilot project launched in November 2013 and focuses sharing skills with commercial riding centres, schools and clubs to deliver horses riding opportunities to the disabled community with confidence thanks to the specialist training and support they have received from Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving (RDA) is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through the provision of horse riding and carriage driving. Through a network of 500 volunteer groups throughout the UK, RDA provides opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment, improving health, wellbeing and self-confidence, and benefiting mobility and co-ordination.
RDA brings together 500 volunteer groups throughout the UK
For more information about RDA Accessibility Mark please contact Cat Stuart Telephone 01926 405 979 or email: cstuart@rda.org.uk. For more information or images please contact the BEF Press Office at kate.moore@bef.co.uk or call 02476 698877.
