We all know the joy of riding and being around horses.   Like everything in the world, if you are disabled, it can be a bit harder to get going – maybe you need extra help to get you mounted, maybe you need a particular saddle, maybe you need a bit of extra moral support.

Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled has been dedicated to taking down barriers to riding since 1981.

The charity is housed in the biggest purpose-built disabled equestrian Centre in the South West.   Every week, almost 200 riders come to enjoy riding sessions and spending time with horses. They are a diverse bunch: all ages (4-74!), and a mixture of physical and learning disabilities, including autistic spectrum disorders.

Lessons take place in all weathers, thanks to the large indoor arena, but almost always include a short hack somewhere around the 100 acre site.

At the Avon Riding Centre, volunteers are crucial.   There are over 200, with some riders needing up to 3 people to support them.

We caught up with Emma Belcher, who is an RDA Group Coach, to find out more about what she does when she’s at the Centre.

“I had always worked with horses and rode competitively when I was young, but I had 6 children, so I didn’t go near horses for 15 years.” All that changed when she got a riding lesson for her 40^th birthday. “I smelled that stable smell, and I knew I was in the right place.”

She arrived at the Centre wanting to work with the horses, but she was quickly persuaded to train as a coach, a process that took about a year.

Once qualified, coaches teach for at least 2 to 3 hours per week.   In each class they can be supervising up to 6 riders, their horses and a maximum of 18 volunteers.   They have to have eyes in the back of their heads!   As well as ensuring lessons run smoothly, they are responsible for planning the sessions.   “When you’re working with so many factors, nothing is predictable.   So you can come in with a brilliant session plan, only to find that a horse is lame, you’ve got to change horses and your rider is going to need more support than you thought they would.   Then you find out one of your helpers can’t come in today!   When that happens, you just have to adapt – while still getting your riders to make progress.”

Once the lesson is over, it’s time to fill in paperwork.   At Avon Riding Centre, all our riders are monitored for progress in riding skill, horse care and knowledge, socialisation and general confidence.   We use the RDA Proficiency Awards to help incentivise riders, and many of our classes are monitored using the RDA’s Tracker system.

The Centre’s RDA Coordinator Kim Langbridge says “RDA coaching has changed a lot over the years.   Coaches are expected to be much more professional, and highly-trained than they were 20 years ago.   The great news is, almost all the training can be done on the job.   We really appreciate that our coaches give up so much of their time to make sure our riders have a brilliant experience week in, week out.”

But what does Emma get out of it? “Everything! I get to work with horses, but it’s the people that I love. It’s a privilege to spend time with the riders.   I get back more than I could ever give.   The rewards are instant.   When you see a rider making progress it’s so exciting.   It gives you goosebumps.”

Like many mums who have been out of a working environment for a long time, Emma was feeling less than confident when she arrived at the Centre, but “it’s so great to be just seen as Emma who’s quite good at this. I never thought my life would come full circle and I’d be given this second chance.   It’s just fantastic.”

We are always on the look-out for new coaches and provide full training.    So if you have some technical knowledge of riding (Walk, Trot, Canter & simple dressage) and you are free for at least 2-3 hours a week during school time, get in touch with Kim Langbridge at rdac@avonridingcentre.org.uk