New Zealand Riding for the Disabled

Changing lives in every region of New Zealand

Providing specialised therapeutic riding

Growing strength, ability and confidence

Making a positive difference in your local community

Assisting more than 3,000 special Kiwis every year

Reaching more riders

Welcome to New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association (NZRDA). We are a registered charity, made up of 54 affiliated Riding for the Disabled (RDA) groups located throughout every region of the country.

RDA is all about providing goal-based riding activities that increase the ability, strength and confidence of people with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges.

Our focus is to make a positive difference. Our vision is to reach more riders and change more lives.

What's Happening

News

More Independence? Yes please!

Learning to ride a horse has enabled Hunter to join in on family walks, because riding has strengthened his muscles enough for him to be able to push the pedals on a trike.

Lawyer volunteers her time at RDA

Rebecca Hay really believes in volunteering - so she said as she swapped her professional work attire for gumboots.

Sam Hayes: Dancing for good

Dancing with the Stars winner Samantha Hayes explains how she reconnected with her horsey roots through Riding for the Disabled, her chosen charity for the show.

Who is a TV star?

Tye was recently featured in an episode of What Now!, along with his friends and coaches from RDA.

Young Volunteer of the Year 2019

Who always has a smile, has worked hard on her qualifications and is loved by the riders?
It’s our Young Volunteer of the Year 2019 – Ruby Knightbridge!

New CEO

Meet Jill Laplanche, our new Chief Executive, who starts up with the national team in April 2019.

Help RDA riders like Ruby get strong

It's ages since Ruby saw her specially trained RDA therapy horse Gypsy. It's even longer since they got to work out together. Find out why and what you can do to help.

#TeamSam - A winning combination dancing to support RDA in NZ

By combining dancing with fundraising, Newshub co-presenter Sam Hayes boosts NZRDA's ability to reach more riders in every region around the country.

Rider of the Year

Go Ruby! She's our 8-year-old RDA superstar.

Sam Hayes and Aaron Gilmore win Dancing with the Stars

#TeamSam dances into the final for NZRDA - and takes out the glitter ball trophy!

Dancing With The Stars

Sam Hayes puts on her sequins and dances her heart out for NZRDA.

Check out News in full »

Make a donation

We rely greatly on the generosity of people like you. Your donation helps us to provide safe and effective goal-based riding activities for children and adults with a disability.