Sarah Heydon was our keynote speaker.
She spoke on behalf of the Auckland Eastern suburbs Riding for the disabled. Sarah is a former member of our club and as a professional director. She as chair of Cavalier Corporation, a director of ports of Auckland, GMS science and the cooperative bank. She is also chair of New Zealand Riding for the disabled.
Riding for the disabled has been in existence for over 40 years. The association between Rotary and Riding for the disabled is of similar vintage.
Sarah gave us a rundown on what it takes to operate Riding for the disabled in Auckland. An area to ride on as required, there are health and safety issues to monitor, horses to find and train, funding to obtain volunteers to recruit and riders to select.
Riding for the disabled relies on pony clubs throughout the country to support its programs. The Auckland Eastern suburbs Riding for the disabled used to be headquartered at St Helliers Bay pony club. However because the land upon which that pony club sits has been transferred to Ngati Whatua who want to use the land for other purposes Riding for the disabled have relocated to the Meadowbank pony club.
Riding for the disabled uses a lot of resource. Specialised equipment for the riders which needs to be cleaned maintained and secured. Staff have to be trained operates safely. There are strict operating requirements before Riding for the disabled can be undertaken. For example, one rider needs a horse and three helpers. There are six horses required for a lesson. In addition there is a coach overseeing the process and a physiotherapist. Sarah told us 25 volunteers a week are required.