About Buchan RDA
The Buchan Branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association was established in 1982, and over the years has been based at a number of riding schools in the North-east corner of Scotland. The group is currently based at Annandale Equestrian Centre, just north of Mintlaw, which is an ideal central location for all of the riders.
Term-time riding is provided for between 50 and 60 adults and children, and throughout the academic year the group caters for 25 children from the Anna Ritchie School in Peterhead, and five from Ellon Primary School. Most of these children ride fortnightly.
The adult riders come from Willowbank Resource Centre, Peterhead, and Robertson Road Resource Centre in Fraserburgh, and they enjoy their activity on a weekly basis.
There is also a pioneering group of riders referred through the Community Psychiatric Service in Fraserburgh, and they have made excellent progress.
These riders all have special needs, and benefit greatly from their regular half-hour sessions. They are only able to take part in this activity with the support of volunteers; some of the more disabled riders may require as many as three helpers each. Progress can often be slow, but minor achievements are immensely rewarding. RDA aims to provide a quality learning and recreational experience, in a relaxed atmosphere of fun and companionship. It is generally recognised that regular riding can improve balance, concentration, co-ordination, communication, and confidence - to say nothing about the benefits of exercising regularly in the fresh air. The group hires the riding school facilities, as well as the required number of suitable horses. It's important to try and match the height, weight and ability of each rider with a horse of an appropriate size and build; its movement and character may also play a major part in its selection.
Thirteen years ago the Buchan branch received money from BBC Children in Need, and purchased a handsome black and white gelding called Apache. He was a hard-working ambassador for RDA, and always a firm favourite with all the riders and helpers, but he has recently gone into retirement. The group's other horse is a black Irish cob called Fergus (named after the gas plant at St Fergus, because he was bought partly with a donation from there). He is a real character, well suited to the routine demands of RDA, and worth his weight in gold.