Welcome to Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore

What is RDA?

Mission:

To provide free therapy through horse riding to children and adults in Singapore that have physical and intellectual disabilities.

Therapy Sessions:Registration

Members of the public in Singapore with disabilities can either be referred to RDA by a school, association or centre catering to people with disabilities, or they/their families may directly contact the RDA Office at tel: 62500176 or by email to rda@pacific.net.sg.

To be eligible, riders must be at least 6 years old, and maintain a weight of no more than 60 kilograms. They must be declared by their physicians to be sufficiently fit to ride, but due to their disability, be unable to participate in normal riding sessions elsewhere.

Therapy Sessions:Eligibility

Therapy Sessions:Structure

The ten-week therapy sessions are held Monday-Saturday, 9-5pm. Each lasts about 45 minutes.

There is a maximum of 6 riders per session.

For riders who are brought independently by their parents/guardians, or come on their own, sessions are held weekday afternoons and on Saturdays. Further instruction is given to riders who appear to have the potential to compete in local and international special equestrian competitions.

Sessions are held five mornings per week for riders who attend local schools/institutions that cater to the people with disabilities.

Disabilities for Which RDA Provides Assistance

a. Physical Disabilities

Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Dispraxia, visually impaired, hearing impaired, Multiple Sclerosis, victims of accidents, etc.

b. Intellectual Disabilities

Autism, Down’s Syndrome, intellectually delayed, etc.

How Riding Helps

Horse riding is a unique form of exercise and rehabilitation which benefits all disabilities, both physical and intellectual.

Physically, the riders gain improved circulation, respiration, balance, coordination and mobility.

Intellectually, they gain self-confidence, improved communication skills, trust and self-esteem.

History• 1982: launch of RDA Singapore by Mrs Kaye Clarke, a

British mother of a disabled child and an experienced riding instructress The first riders were five children from the Spastic Children’s Association and classes were held at the Singapore Polo Club.

• Mid-1980s: Bukit Timah Saddle Club also granted RDA use of its horses and facilities, free of charge, outside the normal riding classes. Five sessions were held each week – three at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club and two at the Singapore Polo Club.

• By 1990: more than 600 disabled adults and children

had taken a course of instruction.

History (con’t)

• By 2002: the number had surpassed 1,200.

• July 1997: completion of the purpose-builtRDA Centre at Jalan Mashhor Road

• June 2001: completion of the DBS Covered Arena

• Sept 2001:First participation in National Disability Games

Our Local Network

RDA is an Associate Member of the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) which is the umbrella

organization for all sports groups in Singapore catering to people with either intellectual or physical disabilities. Its mission is to raise the profile of sports for people with disabilities and to help athletes compete internationally. It is also an Affiliated Club Member of the Equestrian Federation of Singapore (EFS).

RDA Singapore is also a member of the Asian Association of RDAs. The RDAs of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Burma, Australia and New Zealand share resources, information and expertise.

Our Global Network

RDA is also affiliated with

the FRDI, Federation of Riding

for the Disabled International,

based in Brussels which is the international RDA body. It is not a funding agency. FRDI supports the hundreds of RDA groups around the world

RDA’s Capital and Human Resources

- The Site

- Human resources

- Horses/ponies

The Site

The RDA Centre is situated at 5 Jalan Mashhor, off Thomson and Andrew Roads. It is 4.4 hectares leased from the Singapore

Government on an annual basis. We currently have stabling for 18 horses/ponies, a covered arena with lights and fans, 2 large paddocks and 3 small paddocks.

Human Resources

• RDA has 11 full-time staff:An Executive Director, a Head Instructor, Instructor, Stable Manager, Administration Manager, Accounts Administrator, 4 stablehands & a general worker.

The RDA Committee is comprised of an Honorary Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and 8 other members.

The therapy sessions are run by some 200 volunteers. Each rider normally requires 3 volunteers (a leader and 2 sidewalkers).

In addition for each session there is a volunteer Instructor and Assistant Instructor.

Our Patron is Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, the Speaker of Parliament, Republic of Singapore

Our Patron

Our Horses and Ponies

• We currently have 17 horses/ponies. Most have been donated to us from other riding schools in the region, the Kranji Race Track, or the Polo Club. Two were specially imported from Denmark.

• RDA horses and ponies must be exceptionally calm. We usually give a horse a trial period of about 3 months to test it in all possible situations. Is it high strung, frighten easily, dislike too many people around, etc.?

Funding Sources

• RDA’s annual budget is now about $1 million.• RDA receives no government funding. The main

fund-raising events each year include a Flag Day, a Dinner and Dance, sale of Christmas cards and decorated horseshoes, and several public pony rides.

• The horses/ponies are open for sponsorship on an annual basis by companies or families for $10,000 per horse. This covers the cost of feed, bedding, shoeing, veterinary care and other upkeep expenses.

How do Sponsors Benefit?

1. A large plaque with the company’s or family’s name is hung outside the horse’s stall. Every day, large numbers of the public walk by it.

2. The company’s logo (or family name) is sewn onto the horse’s saddle blanket. This blanket is worn at all public events such as public pony rides held at various venues across the city, and all competitions held at RDA or other stables.

Long-Term Goals

• additional horses/ponies

• full-time instructors

• more therapy sessions

• more riders of competition standard

Current Wishlist

• renovation of tack room• more ponies/horses• more riders with competition potential• higher profile and enhanced image• broader and more secure funding• wider contact with senior businessmen and

government bodies

Outreach

• website: www.rdasingapore.org• Pony Express newsletter (quarterly)• Volunteer recruitment ads in The Finder,

British Association Magazine

Volunteering Commitment

Volunteering at RDA is about helping people with disabilities. It is not about gaining opportunities to ride or spending time working with the horses. RDA does not offer riding lessons to any volunteers.

Volunteers who wish to work in the arena with the riders must be able to commit for 10 full weeks. They are encouraged to develop bonds with the riders and their care-givers. Working with people who have disabilities requires above-average patience.

Training Sessions

• Volunteer training sessions are offered approximately every 6 weeks. In these, you will learn how to sidewalk, lead, groom and tack up a horse.

• You will also learn about the various disabilities that RDA provides therapy for, and how to assist the riders.

• (Each rider has 3 helpers: a leader and 2 sidewalkers.)

What to Bring

• Volunteers must wear long trousers and closed shoes such as sneakers. No sandals or tank tops with ties at the neck or back.

• It is hot and strenuous walking around with the riders. You will perspire heavily and require plenty of liquids after each session!

• Do not bring any treats for the horses. No carrots, apples or anything for the horses please.

Thank you for your attention and support!