Riders get a new ramp at Woolamai

A CUSTOM made ramp for disabled horse riders was installed and opened at the Woolamai Centre last week.

Riding for the Disabled (RDA) group thanked the Bendigo Bank and Chairman in attendance, Peter Paul, for donating funds that saw their mission made possible. 

The ramp is specially made to RDA specifications and it means that riders are able to mount or dismount from a horse far more safely. 

Protection on the ramp also enables riders in wheelchairs better access and safer transfers.  

“A lot of the disabled riders find it a bit harder, coordination wise. So, this enables the coach and maybe an assistant or a volunteer to assist the mounting of the horse as safely as possible,” said President of RDA, Bruce Spiden.  

RDA was established by Bruce about 18 months ago and they currently have six riders from Euralla in Leongatha.

Next year they will be introducing riders from the Bass Coast Special School and will be looking to acquire new horses to accommodate the new riders. 

“We will surely but slowly but surely grow the riding for disabled for this Bass Coast region,” said Bruce.