RDA Townsville

28/05/2025

Hello everyone 🐴

A little reminder that we have our fundraising jar at Grill’d Fairfield 😀

It’s only there until the end of the month so if you fancy a yummy burger, make sure to drop your counter in our jar 👍

12/04/2025

COME RIDE WITH US🐴🐴🐴🐴

Townsville RDA currently has some vacancies for the 2025 riding season.

We have spots available for both adults and children (8 and over).

Our programs cater to participants living with a wide range of intellectual and physical disabilities. Each rider is assessed for capability and a coaching plan is created to help them achieve their personal goals. These goals are determined in consultation with a wide range of people, all focused on providing the best for the riders.

There are so many rider benefits to be gained from the RDA horse riding program, including physical (such as improved balance and coordination, increased muscle strength and sensory integration), social (for example, forming connections and friendships), phycological (including a sense of wellbeing out in the fresh air with the horses) and educational (such as sequencing, patterning and motor planning).

The sessions are held on Thursday mornings at Ranchlands Equestrian Centre. Each lesson is 45 minutes as part of a group of 4 riders. Lessons begin the start of school Term 2, just after Easter.

All of our programs are delivered by a qualified coach with the support of trained volunteers.

If you, or someone you know with a disability, are/is interested in joining as a rider, please contact us at [[email protected]] to arrange an interview, fees and T&C’s.

Send a message to learn more

29/03/2025

VOLUNTEER WITH US 😃

Have you thought about becoming more involved and contributing to the local Townsville Community?

Do you enjoy helping people, being with horses and having fun?

If so, we would love to welcome you to learn more about becoming an RDA Townsville volunteer 😊

Our current team of amazing volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds with varied interests, but we all share the goal of wanting to help develop our riders’ confidence and ability in a safe, fun and supportive way.

We operate on Thursday’s – 8.30am till 11.00am from the start of second term to the end of fourth term of QLD Public School term calendar each year.

We welcome volunteer enquires from 16 years of age and in-line with Queensland Government requirements, volunteers must obtain and/or hold a valid “Blue Card”.
We can assist with any paperwork required.

Please note that you do not have to have experience with horses to assist at Townsville RDA. Training and support are given to build your confidence and skills in supporting the riders and in working with horses.

We hope to hear from you soon 🐴🐴🐴🐴

27/03/2025

A little bit of information about us 🐴

Townsville RDA has been operating through Ranchlands Equestrian Centre since 2004. Our motto is “Riding Develops Abilities” and we work with each of our riders to help them to achieve the most they can be.

We can currently assist up to 16 riders per fortnight on a rotational basis. Each rider is assessed for capability and a coaching plan is created to help them achieve their personal goals. These goals are determined in consultation with our accredited RDA Coach and the parents/carers of our rider’s, all focussed on providing the best learning experience.

Townsville RDA is an independently operated non-for-profit group affiliated and governed by Riding for Disabled Association Queensland and is a branch of RDAA (Riding for the Disabled Australia).

RDAA enables people with disabilities throughout Australia to experience enjoyment, challenge and a sense of achievement through participation in equestrian (horse related) activities to improve the quality of life, attain personal goals and develop life skills (for more information about RDAA, please visit their website at Home - Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia).

27/03/2025

Thank you to everyone who has liked/followed and shared the RDA Townsville page. It is very much appreciated ☺️

26/03/2025

Hello and welcome to the page for Townsville’s branch of the RDA (riding for the disabled) 🐴

We are excited to be able to share with you information about our amazing group of volunteers, riders and of course, our wonderful horses.

If you would like to learn more about our organisation and what we do; including becoming a volunteer, or signing up as a rider, please have a look through our page.

*Please note that this page has only been set up, and more information will be added shortly*