Introduction

Epsom Riding for the Disabled Association (Epsom RDA) was formed in 1969 with one shetland pony called Bubbles and four riders working from commercial stables in Epsom.

We now have our own facilities dedicated to our charitable objectives. We have over 200 regular riders and over 100 volunteer helpers. We are a registered charity (charity number 1073638) Epsom RDA is a Member Group of the Riding For The Disabled Association, Registered Charity No 244108.

Our aim

Our aim is to provide disabled people with the opportunity to ride to benefit their health and well being.

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How are we run?

Epsom RDA has no paid employees, it is run and managed entirely by volunteers.

The Group's Trustees are responsible for its overall management and they nominate a leader to be responsible for the detailed running of each session.

The riders mainly from schools, hospitals and day centres and others come from home with their parents or carers.
Sessions are on everyday during the week in the mornings. On Monday and Friday there are also evening sessions, there are also Wednesday and Saturday afternoon sessions. And Sundays alternate on a every two week basis, meaning there is a Sunday 1 and Sunday 2. Each session has their own dedicated Session leader. Our session leaders at Epsom are all very well trained and all volunteers.

Each ride has an instructor in charge and helpers are provided as required to lead the horse and to provide support and encouragement to the rider. Sometimes three helpers are needed for one rider. The session leader keeps a profile of each rider and these are regularly reviewed and updated as the need arises.

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The facilities

We operate at St. Ebba's Farm, Hook Road, Epsom, where we have a variety of facilities
on 16 acres of land that we bought it on 17 January 2005.

Our facilities include:
Indoor Riding School,
Outdoor Riding school,
Yard,
(The yard mounting block)
Hay Barn,
Feed Store,
Tack Room,
12 Stables,
The fields
a Workshop,
Reception/ Coffee room for our riders and helpers.
It is in the The Coffeee room is also used as a clubroom (that we meet over a cup of coffee and biscuits after the riding.) and we also use it as a Meeting room.
A BBQ area,
Lavatory,
Disabled Toilets,
Parking,
Click here for a guided tour

The horses

Epsom RDA have 12 ponies/horses. They vary in age and size from 11.2hh to 15.3hh. They all participate in sessions with our disabled riders as well as in organized events such as our annual Horse Show on Epsom Downs. They are usually very willing and most of our riders have established a favourite somewhere among them. You can help Epsom RDA by Adopting A Pony

Community Support

The community play an important part in ensuring the success of Epsom RDA. We receive support from many local voluntary organisations, businesses and individuals. Support is also received from organisations outside our area who have associations with our members. We enjoy a good working relationship with Epsom & Ewell Council. This community support is essential to enable us to continue the much valued service we give to the disabled children and adults who ride with us. It is a support we greatly appreciate.

Would you like to know more?

We would be pleased to send a speaker to any club or organisation that would like to know more about us. If you would like to know more about us or if you have any comments or questions you can find where to contact us on the Contact Us page.

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