Erme Valley RDA’s ‘Monday Group’
The Erme Riding for the Disabled Group has almost 160 riders who face a variety of physical, cognitive, sensory or social disorders, and indeed many face a complex combination of the four. However, whatever the difficulties they face all our riders find that their experiences at the Brook help them to gain in independence and self sufficiency and contributes towards their emotional and social growth, not to mention the physical benefits.
In return, each rider brings with them their own unique character and spirit that makes them as invaluable to the Brook team member as the instructors, volunteers and horses. Here we celebrate their triumphs.
Sam
Rider and Trainee Coach
“Hello. My name is Sam. I have been riding at the Brook for 10 years. I coach and help out on the yard and I love competing in dressage, jumping and countryside challenge. I also work at Riverford. I qualified for Nationals for the last 6 years and in 2021 I won the Regional Countryside Challenge.”
Hannah
Rider
“Hello! Horses and Equestrianism are my passion. Since coming to Erme Valley I have had the opportunity of undertaking Dressage; which I love. Not to mention the many friends I have made. It has been a very challenging and wonderful road and such a benefit physically. Thanks to the encouragement and dedication of the groups amazing volunteers, I have successfully mastered simple Dressage movements with support. My long term goal is to ride independently.”
Henry
Rider
“Hello. My name is Henry and I am 30 years old. I have been a work experience pupil for 10 years and I have been riding for a lot longer! I really enjoy riding but I love to help other riders just as much. I especially like to work with the young riders. I love being with William too.”
Martin
Rider
“Hello. My name is Martin and I am 35 years old. I have been a work experience pupil at the Brook for 10 years. I love riding Marmite and Ebony and I am very competitive at the Nationals! My main jobs are working on the yard filling the hay and straw bags and I love cleaning too. I come to the Brook 3 days a week.”
Anthony
Rider and Trainee Instructor
Anthony has been riding at the Erme for over 15 years now, and is a testimony to the power that horse riding can have for people with disabilities. Anthony works at Tesco’s, but spends every spare second he can at the Brook, riding, helping with the horses and voluntering. He has done so well that he is now the National RDA Dressage Champion and a trainee instructor
Sarah
Rider
“I have been riding for 20 years. I can walk and trot and do simple dressage. I came second this year. I would like to learn to canter.”
Alyssa
Rider
“My name is Alyssa. I am 35 years old. I love horse riding, helping at the stables, playing tennis and bowling. I work at Morrisons 4 afternoons a week. My parents live in France and sometimes I visit them. I help out at the local church and go to church every week. Mt best friends are Vanessa and Sarah. They also go to horse riding.”
Janice
Rider
“For the past 9 years I have been riding at the Erme Valley RDA. I not only ride but work in the office and do the cleaning. It is great to be part of Team Erme”
Ysabel
Rider
“Erme Valley RDA do fantastic work with the disabled, both adults and children, as an example, one of our client, Ysabel has gained both physical and life enhancing experiences with both the riding and helping out as a volunteer at the centre
Quay Physio Fitness and Wellbeing“
Patrick
Rider
“Hello. My name is Patrick. I am 24 years old and I have been riding at the Brook for 10 years. I have my own pony called Lou-Lou and I love to spend time with her. I love going to competitions and I love cantering and jumping.”