Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with a year-long series of events and activities kicking off with the world’s biggest riding Lesson on 30 September. Now in its 40thyear, RDA continues to deliver opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment to more than 25,000 people with disabilities through its 500 Member Groups spread across the UK.

World’s Biggest Riding Lesson
RDA is organising a series of celebrations and special events to mark its 40th year.
HRH Princess Anne, President of RDA since 1986, will officially launch the celebrations at the World’s Biggest Riding Lesson, taking place on 30 September in riding centres across the UK and internationally. The Princess Royal will attend the first ride of the day at the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs. It is anticipated that more than 5,000 people will be undertaking a riding lesson on that day in support of RDA.

Chief Executive of RDA, Ed Bracher said: “We are delighted to be launching our 40th anniversary with this record-breaking event that will involve people and riding organisations worldwide in a show of support for associations of disabled riders.”

Sponsored Skydive
The RDA sponsored tandem skydive will take place on 11 October 2009 near Bicester. 40 volunteers will undertake the tandem skydive to raise money and also celebrate 40 years of RDA. Amongst the volunteers taking part will be Paralympic Gold Medal winner and RDA Trustee, Liz Stone, who still can’t believe she has signed up: “I am not sure whether I am looking forward to this event or not but one thing is for sure, I will go all out to raise as much money for RDA as I can,” she says. “I am lucky enough to have experienced at first hand the benefits that RDA offers in terms of therapy achievement and fun.”

Anniversary Reception
To mark the end of the celebrations for 2009, RDA is hosting a prestigious gala reception in London with guests from across the organisation in attendance including volunteers, supporters and, of course, RDA riders, drivers and vaulters.

Anniversay Ball
Celebrations will continue in 2010, with an Anniversary Spring Ball, where volunteers, supporters and riders can dance the night away.

40th Anniversary exhibition at Chelsea Flower Show
This special exhibition will celebrate the history of the RDA at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

London 10k Run
Runners will one again be raising as much money as possible for the RDA at this sponsored event on 10 July.

RDA National Championships
RDA’s annual flagship event, the RDA National Championships – the largest event for disabled riders in the world - will mark the end of the 40th anniversary celebrations, and will take place in July 2010.

To find out more, click on the link below.