Fairlight Riding For The Disabled

Welcome to Fairlight Riding For The Disabled, located in Hastings, New Zealand. Established in 2015, Fairlight Hall RDA is a registered charity dedicated to providing therapeutic horse riding experiences to riders of all ages. Our aim is to help individuals enjoy the therapeutic benefits of interacting with horses, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.

At Fairlight Riding For The Disabled, we offer 30-minute lessons that include time in our beautiful outdoor arena or hacking out in our grounds. We are currently developing and fundraising for a sensory trail, which will provide a unique and enriching experience for our riders. Additionally, we offer Tea with a Pony sessions specifically designed for individuals with dementia or other life-long conditions.

Our team is made up of dedicated and friendly individuals. Meet Arthur, an Irish Draught horse who stands at 16. 3hh. Arthur is a gentle giant and always attentive to the needs of his riders.

Henna, a 22-year-old Belgian draught, has been with us since our establishment and is now officially retired, though she occasionally enjoys a ride. Another member of our team is Mull, a 22-year-old Exmoor gelding known for his cheeky personality. Finally, we have Bonnie, a 12. 2hh black Welsh cob, who was generously donated by the Wellesley Charitable Foundation.

Fairlight Riding For The Disabled is supported by a team of dedicated trustees and volunteers. Our working committee ensures the smooth operation of our school, and our yard managers take care of the day-to-day management of our horses. We are always on the lookout for competent volunteers who are comfortable around horses and have spare time during the week.

As demand for our services continues to increase, we regretfully have a closed waiting list at the moment. However, we are hopeful to add new sessions in the future, which will require additional volunteers. If you are interested in supporting us or learning more about our Sponsor a Horse or Pony programme, please visit our website.

We are also excited to offer Tea with a Pony sessions for individuals with dementia or life-long conditions. These sessions give participants the opportunity to interact with our ponies, observe lessons, and enjoy tea and cake with us. If you would like to take part in these sessions, please contact us for more information.

Throughout the year, we organise various events and activities for our riders. Visit our Facebook page to see pictures from our recent Art on the Trail and Ridden Games half-term events. We also have an upcoming term starting on January 10th. Additionally, for the first time, we are able to offer bursaries to our riders, thanks to the support of our trustees.

Thank you for visiting Fairlight Riding For The Disabled. We invite you to get in touch with us whether you are a rider or a volunteer. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve your individual goals, gain confidence, and build self-esteem through horse riding.