Our Volunteers

At Thornton Rose we have fantastic teams of volunteers who are dedicated and reliable, turning up to work with our riders in all weathers. Put quite simply, no RDA group can function without them. Some disabled riders can require up to three helpers; one to take control of the horse, two side walkers who have a supportive role, and walk on either side of the rider and horse.

Our troops include folks from various walks of life, ages and stages. The minimum age to volunteer is 14 and we currently have three teenagers giving up their Saturday mornings to ‘muck in’ at the group. (no mucking out – all our horses and ponies are field kept!) Our oldest volunteer is 73, so there really is scope for everyone.

Volunteering at Thornton Rose is fun, challenging and great exercise in the open air. Would you like to join in the fun and take up a new challenge? We operate a system of cascade training where by new helpers are always teamed up more experienced volunteers. So no previous horse experience is necessary; only common sense, reasonable fitness and a sense of humour is useful! If you are interested we would love to hear from you either by email or phone Bill and Ann Johnston.

The future of Thornton Rose rests with the people who support us with their time, expertise, commitment, money and enthusiasm. Thus ensuring we can continue to give all our present and future riders the wonderful and beneficial experience of learning to ride.

click on this link to contact Ann & Bill Johnston by email

Nichola & Ringo - volunteers account

After volunteering for 10 years with the Guide Association I decided I wanted a change. I had often thought about RDA, as I have a passion for and experience with horses. After surgery on my right knee, I could not think of a better way to complete my rehabilitation than out walking with disabled riders. So I started at Thornton Rose in November 2005. The group was extremely welcoming and the wednesday volunteers quickly became my friends.

Working with the group allowed me to step out of my confort zone and getting to know the riders was fun. Especially their individual personalities and ways of communicating. I have to admit I had a couple of favourite riders. I got a real buzz when riders learned to hold the reins or use their legs to move their pony forward. It was even fantastic when some of our riders would simply stay on their pony for the whole session. The smile on my face went with me to work for the rest of the week.

After six months I was asked if I would be interested in bringing on Ringo, a young fell owned by the group. I was chuffed to bits. I had never actually worked with young stock, but was willing to give it a go. Second time out Ringo and I parted company in a wheat field. Not really his fault, what with the oncoming tractor and a kid that jumped out the hedge at us! Ringo successfully tatooed my upper arm with his hoof and this was to bind together until August 2007.

Ringo & I went from strength to strength, with a lot of time, patience and riding lessons. The change in Ringo was amazing. It would take me over an hour (literally) to get on his back after the fall. He was so jumpy, even the birds and waving daffodils spooked him. But as time went on we learned to trot and canter together. And by August 2007 we had competed in a dressage test, completed a pleasure ride and taken a trip to the beach.

Easter 2007 came and I decided it was time to start Ringo's RDA career. I can honestly say there were times when I never thought it would happen. But Ringo stepped up and over came every challenge set before him. Ringo now has four disabled riders and it brings me to tears of joy everytime I think about it. Due to the arrival of my daughter I have had to take a break from RDA. But working at Thornton Rose and investing in the career of an RDA pony has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Gemma Shand and another volunteer are now continuing the work with Ringo. They are all doing well and I hope to see Ringo partner his disabled riders at competitions very soon. On a different note, Gemma has a blog site up and running. This is part of an assignment she has to complete for university. If you are interested in looking at her site and leaving a horsey comment, the site details are listed below. The more hits to her blog site, the better chance she has of getting a fantastic grade - enjoy.

click on this link to open Gemma's blog site

Joyce Kent - RDA Instructor

Congratulations to Joyce on achieving 25years of volunteering with the RDA. She was presented with her award at a special ceremony along with others to commemorate their achievements. (Joyce is fourth from right in back row) Joyce began working with the RDA in 1972 when she was at The Wirral Riding Centre. Scroll down to see what Joyce has to say about RDA.

In 1975 Joyce was instrumental in helping to set up an RDA Group at Grove Farm Riding School in Worlington. This group catered for adults and teenagers as other groups in the area only catered for school children. It soon became a successful group with riders entering competitions and winning rosettes and trophies. One of the riders was picked to represent GB in the first World Dressage Championships for disabled riders in Gothenburg Sweden in 1987.

In 1988 Joyce moved to work at the Edinburgh Veterinary School and helped at the Drum RDA group. She assisted in the training of a rider from Braidwood RDA to do competitive dressage to music in 1999 and this started her association with our group. At that time we were named Braidwood, then Mosswood and now Thornton Rose.

Why does she do it “The RDA is an excellent social club where all people are treated equally. With the help of the horses and volunteers, the riders gain experiences in the countryside which gives them independence and confidence. Plus it keeps me fit with at least eight 30min sessions of walking and running a week”.