Riding for the handicapped

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 16

Riding for the handicapped

A new organisation, the Riding for the Disabled Association, is asking for helpers interested in providing recreation for the disabled. The Canterbury branch of the association was started

about four months ago and since then has given ponyrides to residents of the Kingslea Girls’ Home and Sunnyside Hospital, A separate part of the association, to give the same opportunities to the blind. I will begin tomorrow, and it is hoped that a similar scheme for other handicapped persons can begin soon. HELPERS WANTED The association is advertising for helpers and ponies. The president of the Canterbury branch (Mr A. des Tombe) said yesterday that branches of the association had been formed in Auckland and Hastings. Others are being started in Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson; and Blenheim. In Britain the Riding for ’the Disabled Association has 1140 branches and 4000 mem- ; bers. . The riding classes for the emotionally disturbed are held at the property of Mr and Mrs R. G. Pearce, Hoon Hay Valley Road, on Thursday afternoons. They are run under medical supervision, j Mr des Tombe and Miss G. Chandler, a field officer for the Foundation for the Blind and an experienced horsewoman, will be responsible for the classes for the blind. • The classes, which will begin [with three or four pupils between the ages of eight and ’2O, will be held at the Ferry-; mead Pony Club, in Avoca; Valley. The third section of the as-; sociation, for other handicapped members, has been offered the use of facilities at! Kennel Park — the home of) the Canterbury Jockey Club! and a horse and pony club, j Mr des Tombe said the sep-i arate classes were necessary ; to cater for the special needs; ■of the various handicapped.l ;He hoped that the members; ‘would benefit also from the; i social life of the branch. I