Riding for the Disabled - Otorohanga Group

Riding for the Disabled - Otorohanga Group We are run almost entirely by volunteers and rely on the generosity of the local community as well as grants for all funding. How can you help?

RDA provides interaction with horses to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing disability, or who have specific challenges or needs, enabling them to have meaningful participation in, and contribution to, their community. Riding for the Disabled

All RDA Groups are Incorporated Societies and independently financed and managed, with New Zealand Riding for the Disabled (NZRDA)

acting as an umbrella organisation providing standards, training, certification and support. Volunteer - Otorohanga RDA operates Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am – 12:30pm during Terms 1,2 & 4, Island Reserve, Orihari Terrace, Otorohanga 3900. You are warmly invited to come along and watch (for the safety of some of our riders, photos and videos may not be taken). Volunteers are the heart and soul of Otorohanga Riding for the Disabled - without their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to the RDA cause, our Riding Programmes could not continue. We are always looking for more willing people to offer their time. Volunteering with RDA is fun, rewarding and confidence building. It’s also a chance to learn new skills, enjoy the fresh air and stay fit, and to be part of something special. Volunteers can be involved in a number of activities, according to their interest and expertise:
- Preparing Horses prior to the Rider’s arrival
- Leading Horses and ponies during riding sessions
- Horse training and Horse care
- Assisting during riding sessions - side walking
- Helping with unmounted activities
- Assisting Coaches with equipment for games and riding sessions
- Fitting helmets and checking riding clothing
- Providing refreshments
- Maintaining of Horse pastures, fences and equipment
- Fundraising, publicity and Committee work
- Organising outings, camps and competitions

* Please note that an RDA Volunteer must be 14 years or over to Volunteer at an RDA Group - however an RDA Group may choose to allow exceptions to this (for non-riding session duties) in specific circumstances. A Police check is also required. Please contact our Volunteer co-ordinator Sheila Pulham on: 027 284 0661

A bit about our horses

Ideal Horses are hard to find - not all are suited to this specialised work, and much time and care goes into their selection, training and welfare. Many of our horses are purchased, others are leased where the private owner retains legal ownership. Horses/ponies must be sound, sensible, reliable and trustworthy. They must be forward moving yet responsive to being lead or to the physical and verbal commands of a novice rider. Some children/adults exhibit unpredictable behaviour and our horses/ponies must be unphased by this. Our arena is set up with various activities which again require a horse/pony which does not react to various apparatus such as sticks, balls, flags, cones (to name a few). Please contact our Horse Manager, Gwen Buckley on 021 265 1551 for further information. Maybe you have a suitable horse/pony? Riders

Should you wish to enrol a rider in our programme contact our Coach Gwen Buckley on the number above. Please note that there may be a waiting list. To ensure all our riders participate in a safe and effective RDA programme appropriate to their needs and abilities relevant documentation must be completed prior to commencing. For any further information please contact our President, Christine Purdie on 021 201 4165. Nga mihi - Thank You

14/04/2026

Don’t forget!! Delicious home baking and a worthy cause...
Wednesday 15th April, 10am till gone, outside Appliance Plus, Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 😍

Waitomo Sports Day on Saturday the 28th March. Our Equine Manager Rebecca Hurley on the right riding her own horse Trixy...
31/03/2026

Waitomo Sports Day on Saturday the 28th March.

Our Equine Manager Rebecca Hurley on the right riding her own horse Trixy with our very own RDA horse King on the left boasting his beautiful collection of ribbons!

It is great being able to provide our RDA horses the fun adventures outside of their RDA work on the weekdays.

We also had a stall manned by our lovely volunteers who were there to promote and have a chat about RDA and what we do for the community.

25/03/2026
18/03/2026

Your support helps riders sit taller, smile brighter, and grow stronger this March.
Give before 31 March and you may claim up to 33% back from IRD.
Every gift makes a difference. 💛

Donate to NZRDA - https://shorturl.at/Fa56j

Delicious home baking and a worthy cause...Wednesday 15th April, 10am till gone, outside Appliance Plus, Maniapoto Stree...
17/03/2026

Delicious home baking and a worthy cause...
Wednesday 15th April, 10am till gone, outside Appliance Plus, Maniapoto Streer, Otorohanga 😍

07/03/2026

🌟 Volunteers Wanted, Join Otorohanga Riding for Disabled

Otorohanga RDA is looking for wonderful people to join our team of volunteers and help support our riders during our Tuesday and Thursday sessions. If you enjoy being active, connecting with others, and making a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.

💛 Why Volunteer With Us?
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. By joining our team, you’ll help create moments of joy, confidence, and achievement for our riders. You’ll work alongside our special horses, make new friends, enjoy some productive exercise, and become part of a warm, supportive RDA community that makes a real difference every week.

🐴 What You’ll help with
• Assisting riders during sessions
• Leading or side walking with horses (training provided)
• Helping prepare horses and equipment
• Supporting a safe, positive environment for all participants

No previous horse experience is required, just a willingness to learn and a caring, reliable attitude.

🤝 Volunteer Co ordinator Assistant
We are also seeking a Volunteer Co ordinator Assistant to support our Volunteer Co ordinator with welcoming, organising, and guiding both new and existing volunteers. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys people, communication, and helping others feel confident and supported.

📣 Marketing Assistant
We’re looking for a Marketing Assistant to help promote our wonderful RDA. This role offers very flexible hours and allows you to make a meaningful impact in just a couple of hours each month. Ideal for someone who enjoys creativity, communication, or community engagement.

🌈 Be Part of Something Special
Every hour you give helps change a life. Whether you can commit weekly or occasionally, your contribution is valued and appreciated.

📩 To get involved or learn more, contact us today. We’d love to welcome you to the team. Call Dianna Janett 027 554 2227

We have the great pleasure of welcoming our new co coach Nicky Monson! We are extremely fortunate to have this incredibl...
27/02/2026

We have the great pleasure of welcoming our new co coach Nicky Monson! We are extremely fortunate to have this incredible individual join our team!

Nicky steps in with Jenny having finished up at the end of 2025 to pursue another path (although still very much part of the RDA team). We loved having Jenny as part of our family and thank her for everything she has done 💕

We have also welcomed Bob (the horse) as a new member to the team this year following Tiny moving down south to Christchurch mid Term 4 last year. Tiny's previous owners expressed their interest in her to become a mum so the RDA made the decision to see her off on her new life. She was a valuable member of our team after adjusting to a new life and enjoying her time with our RDA herd of horses.

Bob made his way to the RDA through the wonderfull Jenny who in his previous life enjoyed his days out competing.

It’s great being back in sessions for Term 1 🥳How lovely it is to see one of our riders who has progressed to independen...
24/02/2026

It’s great being back in sessions for Term 1 🥳

How lovely it is to see one of our riders who has progressed to independent riding on Gracie! 💕

Well you can’t say you’d expect that sort of weather for the end of summer! Extremely fortunate our ponies were safe dur...
16/02/2026

Well you can’t say you’d expect that sort of weather for the end of summer!

Extremely fortunate our ponies were safe during the turbulent weather and that we have incredible volunteers nearby who checked in and made sure the horses and grounds were okay.

Our thoughts go out to the families and the communities who were impacted by the devastation caused over the weekend.

Take care everyone 💕

Our ponies have been enjoying the break, we are so fortunate to have amazing homes to send them to over the holiday! Not...
16/01/2026

Our ponies have been enjoying the break, we are so fortunate to have amazing homes to send them to over the holiday!

Not long now until they will be back on deck getting prepped for Term 1 🥳💕

Merry Christmas from our family to yours 🥰🐴
24/12/2025

Merry Christmas from our family to yours 🥰🐴

Address

Island Reserve
Otorohanga

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8:30am - 12:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 12:30pm

Telephone

+64275915091

Website

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