Henderson RDA

Henderson Riding for the Disabled
Newsletter

Welcome to our last newsletter of the year and it is a short one! However, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas, New Year and holidays.

We’ve had a good year despite losing our President and Therapist Chris Futter to Wellington in March. The winter weather was horrendous but we have managed to do many weeks of riding, find new ponies and volunteers. We are now helping twenty seven children to benefit from riding therapy each week.

I would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who contributes to Henderson RDA.

Firstly, to all our regular volunteers who turn up every week and work so tirelessly to make the rallies interesting, fun and beneficial. They are a great team who demonstrate, commitment, compassion, humour and enthusiasm for the work whether it be during the rallies or behind the scenes.

Running our rallies safely and efficiently is hard enough work. However, we know that when the children go home the work continues whether it be; planning lessons, phoning parents, recruiting new volunteers, caring for horses, searching for new ponies, maintaining our grounds and equipment, doing the accounts, arranging social events, baking, attending our committees, attending training, fundraising or planning our indoor arena…. and the list probably goes on.

Secondly, there are others in the background who have made a significant contribution and I shall mention them individually as we don’t always see them to say thank you in person.

• Phil Patterson who harrows, collects horses, sources equipment and probably much more that I don’t even know about.
• Eddie McBriar our farrier who comes up from Te Aroha and shoes our horses without charge.
• Fu Lilo who turns up and does a range of practical jobs at short notice.
• Ashley Hopkins for looking after our website.
• Tony Bouwmeester who has done a fantastic job for us on the plans and submissions for the indoor arena. He has put in hours and hours of work.
• Jill Kessner who completed a thorough and professional QS report on the covered arena project.

Thirdly, those who lend us their wonderful ponies or care for our own RDA ponies.

• Mike and daughter Polly who lend us the beautiful Dream.
• Victoria, Sam and Gemma who lend us the loveable Rosie.
• Sandy Clarke and family who lend us the adorable Glenn.
• Magdelana who lends us the gorgeous Maddy.

Fourthly, the families who care for our RDA horses and keep them fit and motivated by doing Pony Club rallies.

• Cathy. Tiaana and Ethan who look after Glenn.
• Veena and Aleah who care for Kaimani.
• Vicky and Marissa who care for Angel.
• Kim and Indejah who look after Markie.

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

Last week on December 3, which incidentally, was International Day for the Disabled our former President Chris Futter came up from Wellington to receive her Life Membership Certificate. This was presented by our Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, accompanied by Sharon Davies who kindly joined us to acknowledge Chris’s 18 year contribution to Henderson RDA and RDA nationally. It was lovely to see Chris, hear her news and share a great morning tea. Thanks for joining us Penny and Sharon!

Contact Details
Norma Hayward – President/Editor: richnorm@slingshot.co.nz or 813 3030 www.hendersonrda.org.nz