NZRDA Rider of the Year 2008

Amy Bonallack - North Shore Group RDA

From the Press Release North Shore Riding for the Disabled (NSRDA) are delighted to announce that one of their clients has been awarded the NZRDA Ridier of the Year. All 54 RDA Groups from around New Zealand had the opportunity to nominate a rider for this prize, and 11 year old Amy Bonallack was recognised for the bravery and enthusiasm she demonstrates every week and for the determination which has seen her make excellent progress through her therapeutic riding programme.

Amy has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which means that the use of her hands and feet is severely restricted, so she used an electric wheelchair to get around. Grasping and holding items is virtually impossible, and yet through her diligence and hard work Amy has recently managed to take the reins of her pony - using a special "tube-grip" - and now only relies on her horse leader as back up.

Furthermore, with her bright and cherry disposition , Amy has acted as an unofficial ambassador for NSRDA, happily taking part in TV and newspaper interviews, and helping to educate the public about the work of the RDA and the benefits of therapeutic riding.

"The RDA in New Zealand have more than three thousand riders, so we're absolutely thrilled for Amy," says Brent Jenkin, NSRDA's President. "She's a very popular member of our GRoup - our volunteers enjoy her company and admire her tenacity." Rodney District Mayor Penny Webster added her congratulations too, saying she was "very proud" of Amy and wished that her diary had allowed her to be at the presentation.

Tom Aitchison Volunteer of the Year 2008

Bill Clarkson - Totara Park Group RDA

Bill is the oldest volunteer at the Totara Park Group RDA at 87 years and has been with the Group for around 23 years. He is still fairly fit and energetic although he does not lead or sidewalk anymore. When he turned 80, he was quoted in the local paper as saying “he loves being part of RDA”.

Bill first joined Totara Park in 1985 and since then has become one of the Group's “rocks”. He started by leading horses and side walking - showing that he was the perfect volunteer who was prepared to be versatile and will do anything to help. In 1993 he took over as Treasurer. His commitment and attention to detail proved invaluable to the Group as he checked every expense and income in his book - and was able to keep an eye on finances - resulting in a healthy, secure bank account for the Group. When technology took over and computers became a necessity - he bravely launched us into IT - and put all the accounts onto computer (but he still keeps his neatly written account books up to date as well!). He has now started us with online banking - which at 87 years old is no mean feat.

Since 1990 Bill has also taken over the tea and coffee provider role - which plays a very important role in RDA. He has long been a familiar face in the kitchen - supplying us with endless cups of coffee, tea and biscuits to keep our volunteers happy.

Despite undergoing triple bypass surgery Bill has carried on doing the treasurer's job as well as his work in the kitchen.

On the occasion of his 80th Birthday, Bill decided he wanted to donate an Annual Award and Trophy for which the riders would compete. He asked that the criteria for the chosen rider be:

A Achievement
B Behaviour
C Commitment

Since then 6 riders have been presented with the Bill Clarkson Rider of the Year Award.

Throughout his time with us, Bill has shown that he can turn his hand to anything. A list of his talents and contributions include; handy man, cabinet maker, rope splicer, cleaner, Fire Safety Officer, fundraiser and provider of fresh quality vegetables.

As the Group has written in its nomination for Volunteer of the Year they noted that for as long as most of us can remember, Bill has been an integral part of the Group. His happy smiling face is always there - and his willing, untiring attitude inspires us all.

Bill Clarkson is a true volunteer in every sense of the word and an obvious choice to receive the Tom Atchison Volunteer of the Year Award for 2008.

NZRDA Coach of the Year 2008

Kelly Gabbott - Manawatu Group RDA

Kelly holds the NZEF Community Coach (NZQA Level 3) and also the NZQA RDA Coach (Level 4) Certificates. She is also an NZRDA Facilitator for Volunteer Courses which she runs for her Group. Kelly has been a Coach and a member of the committee for the Manawatu Group for over seven years.

Kelly runs the Wednesday rallies which always seen filled with laughter and fun from both riders and volunteers. Having Multiple Sclerosis herself, Kelly is able to and relates well to a lot of the struggles that some of the riders' face.

She keeps excellent records of riders' achievements both written and photographic, can constantly assess rider, pony and volunteer performance encouraging the latter to upskill, making her a worthy recipient of the NZRDA Coach of the Year for 2008.

NZRDA Horse of the Year 2008

Maui - Kaitaia Group RDA

Maui was brought in to the RDA Programme when one of their volunteers drove past him every day and realised that he was not being used, after negotiations with the owner and tests, was bought into the programme.

Maui has a regular gait which can be graded faster and slower although he prefers a meduim walk and will change pace with voice commands. Maui gives his rider a dominant anterior - posterior ride with a rotation at a faster walk. He fits in well with the other ponies and is one of the gang.

Maui is the backbone of the Kaitaia Group RDA. He has hidden qualities that lie beneath his gleaming black coat. He tolerates the random movements and noises of autistic clients. He will stand square and steady when required, while clients are aided into therapy positions. He is very tolerant during games and is happy to make an instant trot as a reward for good work by a client. Maui also participates in our fundraising programme.

Maui is an Aupouri Forest pony broken in by one of the local iwi, this early training has proven useful when dealing with riders from the same iwi. These characteristics have made Maui an excellent choice as NZRDA Horse of the Year for 2008.

Taupo Group RDA

To whom it may concern
We would like to take the opportunity to express our support for the “Riding for Development” (RDA) Team (Taupo), in relation to their community service nomination, by describing the positive impact their effort, hard work and enthusiasm has made to our daughter, Airin.

Our family, and many other families from Taupo, are deeply indebted to RDA, and its' staff. We consider wider community recognition of their efforts is long overdue.

Airin is seven, and has learning challenges resulting from a medical condition called Aspergers Syndrome, which is a form of Autism. As reported by the media, Aspergers Syndrome is increasingly prevalent in our community, and manifests in various forms – in our daughter's case, it includes difficulty developing personal relationships and expressing her feelings; panic attacks, particularly reacting to unexpected noise, new situations or strange surroundings; but also great sensitivity and caring nature, and terrific artistic skills. Whilst many highlight the creative traits of those with Aspergers Syndrome, our daughters' learning challenges are compounded by having English as a second language, as she is half Japanese.

Earlier this year it was suggested we give Airin a chance to experience new opportunities, and raise her confidence level, by interacting with horses and a new group of children (with a variety of learning and behavioural issues), and interested, engaging and enthusiastic carers in the RDA organisation.

The positive impact on Airin by her participation in the RDA programme, particularly on her increased level of confidence and her emotional wellbeing by participating in the RDA horse riding experience has been outstanding, and very easy to see before, during and after every riding session. Airin has developed a close bond with “Sophie”, the horse assigned to her – and writes about her in her school-writing classes (e.g. “I love Sophie”, is a frequent theme!). As a consequence, Airin is “bouncing” and so enthusiastic both prior to her riding, and interacting better than ever with staff and other students at RDA, and through class participation, and interaction with her teacher at Hilltop School. It is no surprise that many of her classmates wish to come along and watch her ride!

Key to their success is the years of experience and leadership in the RDA team, and terrific support of a large team of helpers and office staff. Indeed, it is a team effort, which for Airin has had benefits far beyond the enjoyment she tells us she has, and that we see she feels, every Wednesday, when she rides “her” Sophie. We can only thank RDA for all they have done to support and encourage Airin, and recommend them for the recognition they deserve.

Greg Bignall and Aki Kurimura

For more information on Taupo Group RDA, please see Taupo Group RDA