Westmorland RDA

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Westmorland RDA This is the page of Westmorland Riding for the Disabled Group. No 5587 836 Charity No. 1114850). We operate from bases near Kendal in Cumbria.

We are a local charity providing therapy, achievement and enjoyment for children and adults with disabilities, through horse riding. Riding for the Disabled Westmorland Group (Westmorland RDA) is a registered charity (Company Reg. (Kendal was formerly in the old county of Westmorland, hence the name of our group.) Our trained coaches and volunteer helpers offer a safe and happy environment for our activities. All our costs are met through fund-raising activities and donations from kind individuals and organisations. The Westmorland group offers riding sessions for children, and carriage driving sessions for people of all ages. The Carriage Driving group meets on Thursday mornings at the County Show Field, Crooklands, Kendal, throughout the year (with a break over the colder months). The riding group meets at Willowsway Stud and Rehabilitation centre, on Mondays from 12:45pm to 3:30pm during school term-time.

This week, the rain threatened and then came down rather fiercely, but that was before any riders arrived 😅So, in the ab...
14/10/2026

This week, the rain threatened and then came down rather fiercely, but that was before any riders arrived 😅
So, in the absence of riders for the first session, we had training in the rain on how to lead ponies. This was aimed primarily at the large and very welcome contingent of new volunteers, but also served as a reminder for the old hands among us.
The sun came out in time for the riders 🌤️ and they all did really well. The ponies were enthusiastic, and Alfie looked particularly splendid with his lovely plaits. They all got well deserved pats and strokes from their riders at the end of their ride.

On Tuesday we had a very good afternoon of riding, with some very good riders! They had fun finding hidden beanbags, hav...
09/10/2026

On Tuesday we had a very good afternoon of riding, with some very good riders! They had fun finding hidden beanbags, having walking races, standing up in the saddle - though that was hard work, so maybe not so much fun! And quiet moments with their ponies. New riders and new helpers already seem like old hands - and the old hands did pretty well, too!

On Tuesday we had a very good afternoon at Larkrigg. There were several new riders, who all enjoyed meeting their ponies...
25/09/2026

On Tuesday we had a very good afternoon at Larkrigg. There were several new riders, who all enjoyed meeting their ponies and riding them quite expertly. New helpers, too, who took on sidewalking a leading tasks and are already a very welcome addition to the team. More riders from before the holiday, all of whom have grown very long legs!
In short, it was another successful Tuesday afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next Tuesday.

Tuesday was our first riding session since the summer break. Our helpers turned out in their new RDA tops, riders got b...
16/09/2026

Tuesday was our first riding session since the summer break.
Our helpers turned out in their new RDA tops, riders got back in the saddle, our new helpers observed all three sessions - and they’ve all promised to come back, so we can’t have been too rusty on our first day back!
We welcomed one new rider, who very quickly looked as if she’d been riding Blue forever.
It was a fun session, with Annette being an entertaining and challenging coach: riders had to steer their ponies around posts and at times they had to ride with their hands anywhere other than on the reins or the saddle – good balancing exercise and a lot of fun.
The weather gave us a couple of sharp showers, but mostly it was sunny and bright, and it was really good to be back once again at Larkrigg.

We had a fantastic two days at the Westmorland Show with our information stand in the Countryside Marquee. Thank you to ...
11/09/2026

We had a fantastic two days at the Westmorland Show with our information stand in the Countryside Marquee. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us. It was great to share what we do with lots of new people and to catch up with our supporters and friends.
This year we also did a short demonstration in the Countryside Arena showing what we do in our riding sessions and how this benefits our riders.
Thank you so much to our volunteers who put together and staffed the stand over the two days, and those who took part in our demonstration. We couldn’t do it without you ☺️

First day back from the holidays for our Westmorland RDA helpers. We were joined by not just one, not just two or three ...
09/09/2026

First day back from the holidays for our Westmorland RDA helpers.

We were joined by not just one, not just two or three but FOUR new helpers, who we’re all delighted to have on board. It was an afternoon of sunshine and showers, so mostly conducted in the shelter of the barn. Annette & Evelyn entertained & instructed.

It was very good to be together again and we’re looking forward to next week and welcoming our riders, who will include some new faces alongside riders from last summer.

Support our fellow RDA group and enjoy a beautiful ride through the scenic Holker estate ❤️Visit the Furness RDA website...
15/07/2026

Support our fellow RDA group and enjoy a beautiful ride through the scenic Holker estate ❤️
Visit the Furness RDA website for more information

We had a lovely riding session on the last day of our summer term. The ponies were all in good shape, though poor Simba ...
10/07/2026

We had a lovely riding session on the last day of our summer term. The ponies were all in good shape, though poor Simba was suffering from fly bites and as a result had some interesting yellow ointment on his neck.

Everyone had a lot of fun seeking out hidden bean bags, which meant steering round one another and avoiding bumping into one another, always remembering to pass each other on the left side, which is an important rule for any rider.

It was an afternoon of celebration because all our riders have worked so hard this term and achieved such a lot. Everyone received certificates and rosettes and other exciting and well-deserved prizes, and these were presented by our chairperson, Cathy.

At the end of the summer term we always have to say good bye to some riders, and that is sad. Eva won't be with us next term, but she had made a lovely artwork for the next Review, so a big thank you to her. We look forward to seeing most of our riders back again in September, and we hope our riders, teachers, parents and helpers have a fabulous summer holiday.

Happy holidays, everyone!

On Tuesday we had fun with beanbags: picking them up from one place and putting them down in another, balancing them on ...
19/06/2026

On Tuesday we had fun with beanbags: picking them up from one place and putting them down in another, balancing them on heads and holding them with arms outstretched. We learned how to run up stirrups and how to remove a bridle. And we stayed dry!

This year Jannice Mitchell, the gracious President of Westmorland Group from 2008 to 2020, celebrated her 90th birthday....
12/06/2026

This year Jannice Mitchell, the gracious President of Westmorland Group from 2008 to 2020, celebrated her 90th birthday.
Jan had been involved with horses most of her life. Her experience and knowledge were invaluable to us, as were her fairness, kindness and sense of fun.
At a small gathering of her old friends in the group, Jan was presented with cards and flowers to mark the occasion.
Although she retired some years ago, Jan remains an Honorary Life Member of Westmorland Group.
Happy birthday Jan. Thank you for all you have done for us ❤️

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Kendal
LA77NH

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