Posted: 27th November 2015 | Back to news feed
A project to encourage more people with disabilities to benefit from horse riding has met with a seal of approval and is now set to move forward into a new era.
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), in partnership with Hoof, the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) participation initiative has launched ‘Accessibility Mark’, following a successful pilot of the scheme in 2015. Accessibility Mark delivers training and support to riding schools to help them provide a quality experience for clients with disabilities. RDA and Hoof hope that the accreditation will encourage more people with disabilities to take up riding.
22 riding schools gained accreditation as part of the pilot project, and the scheme is now open to all centres approved by the British Horse Society (BHS), the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and the Pony Club (TPC). As well as encouraging riding centres to sign up to the scheme, RDA and Hoof will be spreading the word to would-be riders about the increasing opportunities for them to take up riding in their local area.
“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. 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.”
Equestrian centres willing to partake in the scheme are required to successfully undertake training and complete an assessment before earning accreditation from RDA in the form of ‘Accessibility Mark’ status. The scheme offers ongoing 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
You can support the RDA with your Essentials Club Membership, a percentage of your membership fee goes to the great work of the RDA UK wide. Visit www.equestrianindexessentials.com for more information and to join
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