Riding for the Disabled Association celebrates Christmas breakup

This vital local group provides horse riding classes and opportunities to clients living with disabilities.

RDA Cobram secretary Carol Doherty said the group rode fortnightly and the horses provided therapeutic benefits to clients.

“It gives them confidence, self-esteem, teaches them to do something that's a bit more challenging,” Mrs Doherty said.

She said the clients who were wheelchair-bound got a special joy from being able to sit up high on a horse.

This year RDA Cobram had 13 clients ranging from 13 to 50 years of age.

The clients come from across the region including from NSW.

Casey Petrie is one such client and she also works as a volunteer.

Miss Petrie said she had no prior experience with horses and was nervous at first but nonetheless eager and described her first interaction as wonderful.

“(I was) excited and happy to be part of a group with horses,” Miss Petrie said.

Miss Petrie described the environment at RDA Cobram as both relaxed and happy.

This sentiment was seconded by Rose Eliott.

A volunteer at RDA Cobram and a carer of her grandson, Brendan Eliott, who is a client of the group, Mrs Eliott found out about the group through a neighbour.

Brendan, who is wheelchair-bound and unable to speak, loves horse riding.

“He knows when he gets here, he’s nearly jumping out of his chair because he's just so happy to be here and to have a ride. He just loves it on the horse,” Mrs Eliott said.

At 32, Brendan is a veteran at RDA Cobram, having been coming since the age of five.

As for Mrs Eliott, she can’t praise the organisation enough.

“I love it. I just can't wait fortnightly,” Mrs Eliott said.

The first RDA classes in Victoria began in 1971.

New clients start with an orientation to get them used to be around horses and a typical fortnightly session comprises a trail ride to warm-up. The group then move to a dedicated enclosed area to enjoy a varied program of mounted games, activity courses and dressage.