RDA Goulburn is introducing carriage driving as it prepares for a new project to boost its activities. Cheryl Thrower is driving the carriage accompanied by young whip Karen Harrington. Photo: RDA Goulburn.
Years ago Jo Grove completed a Shahzada endurance ride, the ultimate test for anyone on horseback, travelling 120 kilometres over several days.
Testing her staying power, the gruelling ride revealed her tenacity for bigger things ahead. Over the past five years as president and coach of Riding for the Disabled Goulburn she has completed an encore performance out of the saddle accompanied by other people as passionate as herself.
Their efforts have led to a development application for a new $3 million headquarters for Riding for the Disabled Goulburn on the Taralga Road two kilometres north of the city.
On 64 hectares of leased land from Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the new centre will have an indoor arena to shelter riders and their helpers from Goulburn’s extreme weather, an outdoor arena for carriage driving, car parking and a large, well-fenced paddock, shelters and water troughs for the organisation’s 11 horses.
The indoor arena will have day yards for the horses, a meeting/eating room, mounting area and storage space.
“I’m passionate about it, determined and we’ve got a really good volunteer group who feel exactly the way I do,” Jo said. “Even lodging the DA we’ve had a lot of community support. People have come forward to lodge it on our behalf, consultants have been looking after us. The community is behind us,” she said.
Marulan supporters Jim and Leanne Divall sponsor ponies, turn up regularly with hay and Jim will project manage the new development. “Honestly, we wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” Jo said.
That community spirit is infectious. One afternoon after a day working with the RDA horses and their riders, Jo’s mobile phone rang. Rotarian Geoff Thrower was calling to invite her to a short meeting. Turning up with treasurer and assistant coach Kim Mahoney they walked into a Goulburn Rotary meeting where president Bruce Hammond greeted them with a $25,000 cheque.
“We didn’t expect it at all,” Jo said. “It was an overwhelming experience; there were tears. That $25,000 is a co-contribution to a grant application, so we can turn that into $250,000,” she said.
RDA Goulburn treasurer Kim Mahoney, Rotary president Bruce Hammond and president and coach Jo Grove with the club’s $25,000 donation. Photo: RDA Goulburn.
To build their multi-million dollar complex they will need to match more grants, while continuing regular fundraising to meet their operating expenses which include $6000 a year for hay to feed their Shetland ponies, Welsh ponies, quarter horse and three trotters.
The trotters are being prepared for carriage driving, an exciting new addition to RDA Goulburn’s activities. It will be offered for people who exceed the weight limit for horses, amputees, or those who have Parkinson’s disease, or who have suffered a stroke.
Experienced carriage driver Allen Smith is gaining RDA accreditation while mentoring future participants.
Fifteen volunteers help lead and look after the horses and fundraise. They pay for a farrier every six weeks. A mobile vet from Crookwell, Catherine Culley, provides her services for free, and leases one of her children’s ponies for free. Horse dentist Luke Geddes attends to the horses teeth for free.
Trinity College Year 9 students have been volunteering for RDA Goulburn for decades.
The RDA is building a strong case for grants, citing its success as the best performing centre at the RDA NSW Mounted Games Championship, musical drill ride and winning in the United Kingdom after entering video footage of their riders.
RDA Goulburn has 41 registered riders. Jo says studies have found horses are ideal for their ongoing wellbeing and development. A horse can hear and sense the rhythm of a human heartbeat from several feet away.
“They are such a large, graceful animal, just being in their presence has this calming effect,” she said.
“They offer numerous physical benefits to people. While they’re riding horses people benefit from the stimulation, spatial awareness and core strength. Their balance improves, confidence grows and communication and sensory skills improve,” she said.
Indi, a stock horse mare is introduced to a wheelchair. In the wheelchair is Kath Cole who has provided facilities on the Rosemont Road on a free lease for 26 years for RDA. Volunteers Lil Ryan and Robynne Carwardine are alongside Indi. Photo: RDA Goulburn.
“You are getting all of that just by riding a horse,” Jo said. “The rhythmic pace is also proven. Where horse riding is good for people with a disability in a wheelchair, studies show the rhythmic pace of a horse at a walk is similar to the pelvic and hip rotation of a human when they walk. The benefits for someone in a wheelchair to sit on a horse and have that same stimulation, it activates all those muscles. That is a huge benefit.”
