RDA leads national conference

More than 120 Riding For the Disabled representatives from throughout New Zealand are in town as the Tauranga branches hosts a national conference with a new twist.

Tauranga RDA at Welcome Bay will be showcasing their successful programmes to the 39 of 55 national centres attending – instead of traditionally bringing in outside trainers and speakers at the annual event.


Tauranga Riding for the Disabled's operations manager Elisha Browrigg. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Tauranga RDA manager Elisha Olds says it's a fantastic opportunity to be hosting this year's conference.

'We have an amazing facility, and a very strong team – and for us to showcase what we achieve here at Tauranga RDA is very exciting.

'I'm really proud to be part of a very successful team.”

The conference runs from May 18-22, making for a full-on weekend with specialist coaches, volunteers, riders and other key stakeholders showing up.

Tomorrow will be a day of speakers with the introduction of the NZRDA's new CEO Chris Hooper, a presentation by Tauranga RDA manager Elisha Olds on successful volunteer recruitment and our local para-equestrian riders Jodie Thorne and Nicola Essex will speak, among others.

Saturday will be a day of practical workshops and demonstrations. Tauranga coaches Claudia Cameron and Sharon Aldersley will demonstrate their sport and recreation programme and the adult therapy riding.

Local riders involved get to show their riding skills off to the 150 people attendees.

This will be followed by awards night and dinner at Trinity Wharf, with Tauranga RDA being nominated for awards including Volunteers of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the year and Rider of the Year.

Sunday the conference finishes with an Annual General Meeting.

NZRDA CEO Chris Hooper is delighted Tauranga is the host city for the 2016 National Training Seminar for New Zealand Riding for the Disabled.

'As the new CEO for NZRDA, I would like to thank Tauranga RDA for the incredible work that has gone in to making this event possible.”

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