New scheme to encourage more disabled riders

A new scheme to encourage more people with disabilities to take up riding is being launched across the UK.

Great activity

Run by Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in partnership with Hoof, Accessibility Mark provides specialist training and support to mainstream riding schools to enable them to teach riders with disabilities.

“Riding is a great activity that thousands of children and adults with disabilities already enjoy at RDA centres all over the UK,” said RDA chief executive, Ed Bracher. “With Accessibility Mark we will provide training, assistance and accreditation to riding centres, schools and clubs to encourage even more people to take part.”

Therapeuticbenefits

An initial pilot project was launched in 2013, and 22 centres have already gained the Accessibility Mark stamp of approval. The scheme is now being opened up to centres all around the country.

“We are delighted that the pilot scheme has proved successful and look forward to signing up many more Accessibility Mark centres in the years to come,” said Ed.

It is hoped the Mark will become an industry standard, alongside British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools and The Pony Club approved centres.

Empower centres

This, in turn, will provide more opportunities for disabled people to access riding in their local area and discover thefreedom and therapeuticbenefits horses can bring.

“We want to empower centres to increase capacity for disabled riding by providing appropriately structured and supported riding opportunities for disabled participants,” said Maggie Still, head of participation at the BEF.

“Horses have the ability to play a tremendous role in a person’s therapy, rehabilitation, sporting ambition and life in general.”

Training andassessment

Equestrian centres wanting to partake in the scheme have to undertake training and complete an assessment before earning the Accessibility Mark.

The scheme offers on-going support and training, as well as access to a range of RDA programmes designed to help deliver the best possible experience to riders.

To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk.