Gisborne Riding for the Disabled - RDA

12/10/2026

Last week Megan and Tessa were blessed to have joined the NZRDA programme workshop training in Christchurch 🙌🏽
A 3 day training that covered
- Coaches
- Riders
-Horses
Each section having 3-4 presentations provided to be better prepared for running RDA sessions 🥰
The knowledge received was great, some positive encouraging korero to prep us for future classes and maybe try new things 🤔
A big thank you to the Tombleson Trust and Sonrise foundation for the funding to help get these ladies to Christchurch, your support means we can grow as coaches to deliver an amazing programme to our riders and support our community through equine therapy 😍
"Reach more riders, change more lives"
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

09/10/2026

Gisborne RDA was blessed and proud to accept our share of the "Good in the Hood " funding
We are super lucky to have been apart of this kaupapa.😍
The money received will go towards the day to day running's of our amazing RDA ❤️
Thank you to the community for voting for us, all 4 charities play a huge part in our community and all very deserving 🥰
Nga Mihi
"Reach more riders, Change more lives"

06/10/2026

Gisborne RDA's very own Harry has made the cut to feature in the next NZRDA calendar🙌🏽
A big thank you to all that voted for our handsome hoiho we are super excited
💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵💙🩵

05/10/2026

Gisborne RDA horses are all on holiday up on the hills close to Whangara for some much needed R&R ❤️
I big THANK YOU to the Land whanau for always allowing us the "RDA Paddock" to give our friends the best holiday, thank you for your generosity and kindness 🥰🥰

22/09/2026

❤️❤️❤️ thank you Wairoa whanau for the write up, all part of the RDA whanau we love having you on board 🩵💙🩵💙

Finding a happy place with horses.

For tamariki with high and complex needs across the Wairoa district, trying something new can be a big step.

With support from the Sport New Zealand Tū Manawa funding, students from Nuhaka School, St. Joseph's School, Wairoa, Te Mahia School and Wairoa Primary School travelled to Gisborne Riding for the Disabled. Over just a few visits, tamariki grew in confidence, communication and willingness to take part, while building new connections with other students, whānau and their community.

As one kaiako shared:“Several of our tamariki with ADHD have found the horses to be their happy place.”

Read the full story and see the difference this opportunity has made

https://www.sporthb.net.nz/News-1/Case-Studies

Wairoa District Council Sport New Zealand

20/09/2026

Vote for our hoiho Harry🙌🏽🙌🏽

A crowd favourite at Gisborne RDA, Harry is a 15hh chestnut who has more wow than go these days! At 18 years old, he has the soul of a koro sitting on the paepae at the marae, patiently waiting for the manuhiri to arrive.

Harry’s real talent is with higher-needs riders, who simply need a horse that’s happy to take anything in his stride. Such a sweet boy, he is very loved by everyone who knows him.

🗳Harry's got the charm, now he just needs your vote!

Vote for Harryfrom Gisborne Riding for the Disabled - RDA : https://rda.org.nz/vote

24/08/2026

❤️Volunteers Needed ❤️
Do you have time to spear Mon-Thur between the hours of 8:30-12:30pm??

Come have a look at what we do at the Gisborne RDA, making positive changes in the lives of those that just need some awhi in achieving life goals ❤️

Gisborne RDA offers more then just pony rides we use the power of equine friends to help grow confidence and independence, not to mention putting that smile on our riders dial 😉

If we can have more volunteers to help our kaupapa, we can reach more riders around the community 🥰

Come have a chat with us or send us a email
[email protected]
We would love to hear from you

21/08/2026

18/08/2026

🧡 GOOD IN THE HOOD IS BACK! 🧡

We’re excited to share that Gisborne Riding for Disabled has been selected as one of this year’s Good in the Hood community groups!

From today until 14 September, when you shop at participating Z stations you may receive a Good in the Hood token.

If you receive a token, we’d love your vote for Gisborne RDA! 💙🐴

Every token helps determine how $5,000 is shared between local community groups, so every vote really does make a difference.

Your support helps us continue providing therapeutic riding opportunities for riders across our community, while caring for the wonderful horses who make our programme possible.

So if you’re stopping at Z over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for your token and choose Gisborne RDA!

Please share this with your whānau and friends too — the more people who know, the more support we can receive.

Little token. Big impact. 🧡

Thank you for backing Gisborne RDA 💙

16/06/2026