New leadership at Riding for Disabled

Nathan Coombes (17), left, and Jordan Poelstra (13) meet one of the horses at the Litchfield Park...
Nathan Coombes (17), left, and Jordan Poelstra (13) meet one of the horses at the Litchfield Park riding arena. Photo by Glenn Conway.
New faces and a new determination have swept through the Clutha district Riding for the Disabled Association as it looks to generate fresh interest in what it provides for the wider community.

Incoming president Robyn Gunn said the group had had some testing times in recent years with internal bickering but that had been resolved and the group was keen to encourage more people to find out about its services.

The latest group of office-bearers was one of the youngest in many years.

The group, based at the Litchfield Park indoor arena in north Balclutha, provided horses and riding services for disabled people as well as anyone else interested in learning about horses and equestrian matters.

The horses were also used for therapy and rehabilitation, behaviour modification and social contact for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Mrs Gunn said the new committee was providing a new direction to let people know about the organisation.

"I have lived here for several years and, until recently, didn't even know this place existed," she said.

Because of its proximity to Balclutha and its features, which included the only indoor riding arena in the district, the centre was primed to attract more people.

Mrs Gunn said the annual meeting, set down for 1pm on June 19 at the arena, was a great chance for more people to find out about the group.

The arena was already used for indoor rugby practices when needed and could provide a valuable asset for other groups, she said.

 

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