Irish Show Jumping stars to continue partnership with The Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland at 2019 Dublin Horse Show 

  • 2 August 2019, 11:19

For the third year in-a-row, members of the Riding for the the Disabled Association of Ireland (RDAI) will have breakfast with some of Ireland’s top Show Jumping riders on the eve of the 2019 Stena Line Dublin Horse Show at the RDS this Tuesday August 6th.

RDAI riders photographed with Irish Show Jumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa and Team Ireland Equestrian riders during the 2018 RDAI Reception orgainised by the Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Committee at the RDS Arena in Dublin. (Photo: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile)

First started in 2017, the event is organised by the Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Committee, and aims to raise awareness of the work carried out by RDAI and the services they offer. Members of the 2019 Irish Aga Khan team that includes Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny, Shane Sweetnam and Paul O’Shea are set to attend along with Irish team manager Rodrigo Pessoa and several other top riders who will compete during the week at the RDS.

Speaking ahead of the event, Taylor Vard from Horse Sport Ireland’s Show Jumping High Performance committee said:

“We are very lucky to have fantastic sponsors on board again this year including Charles Owen riding hats, Alpes D’ OR. Cian O’Connor and Tredstep Ireland and I would also like to thank the RDS for their help and support. We are really looking forward to joining up once again with the RDAI to highlight the brilliant work that they do as an organisation and to meet with some of their fantastic members and volunteers.”

More information on the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland is available on their website www.rdai.org
The Stena Line Dublin Horse Show starts this Wednesday August 7th to 11th.

About the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland
The RDAI is an Irish Voluntary Organisation which is proud to offer the opportunity of therapeutic and recreational Riding or Carriage Driving to any person, with a physical or intellectual disability. Anyone who meets our medical criteria, and who might benefit in their general health and wellbeing can benefit from this type of therapy.
More than 50 Voluntary groups nationally provide weekly lessons to over 700 disabled people.
There are Classes for riders and drivers of all ages, abilities and disabilities.
Funds to run the groups are raised voluntarily at national and local level.

Groups meet in working hours, using local equestrian centres with good wheelchair access and the availability of suitable horses and ponies for the teaching of a sport on horseback to a disabled person.Each group has its own committee, group organiser, riding instructor and therapist (where available) and a number of voluntary helpers. The organisation provides a comprehensive insurance policy. The main focus of RDA Ireland is to broaden the physical, intellectual and social horizons of people with special needs.Benefits for Riders/ Drivers who participate in this sport:

  • Learn a skill
  • Increase their self confidence
  • Improve posture, coordination and balance.
  • Improve their self awareness and ability to interact socially in a group
  • Become more motivated to learn
  • Achieve their personal goals and ambitions.

Our riders are of various ages . The range of disabilities includes:

  • Cerebal palsy
  • Dispraxia
  • Autism
  • Downs Syndrome
  • MS
  • Mild To Moderate  Intellectual disabilities
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