Testimonials

This is the 2nd year our son Edward has been riding with Crowson Park and his lessons are always the highlight of his week. The volunteers are not only extremely kind and pleasant company, they are also great fun. They go out of their way to make each lesson interesting and pleasurable. The horses are always well groomed and in a very good condition, as are the grounds and facilities. We thank everyone at Crowson Park for your kindness, courtesy and dedication. We appreciate it so much.

Edward & Bushman
Sue and Wayne Williams

Reading the Cerebral Palsy newsletter, I was made aware of RDA and the opportunities it gives people with disabilities. I decided to make contact as I thought this would be a great program for my son, Ben. Ben is nine and has Cerebral Palsy. At the time Ben was having difficulty finding something he enjoyed. School was becoming more and more difficult and his behaviour at home was hard to manage. Since starting at Crowson Park April 2014, Ben is a changed boy. He is a happy child and has found something in life that belongs to him. While his brothers play football, Ben has his horse riding. His behaviour has improved and he looks forward to his riding day. The program is amazing and it incorporates balance, strength, coordination and instils confidence in the riders. Ben’s concentration has improved as well as the use of his right hand. The volunteers are fantastic and give much needed support and encouragement. The program is well managed and safety is their number one priority. When we ask Ben why he loves going horse riding, he tells us “horses are my friends”.

Ben & Barnaby
Meagan Jeffrey

I am a moderately active 70 plus years senior and have been volunteering at RDA for nearly four years now. I get great satisfaction in seeing the benefits that our assorted disabled riders achieve as well as the pure enjoyment they experience in coming to our centre. It feels good to be able to help their families in this way also. On a personal front I enjoy the activity ( if you don't use it you lose it ) and the social interaction with my fellow volunteers, it is good to meet new people and enjoy a laugh and a chat.

Mary Harding
Volunteer

What attracted me to Crowson Park RDA originally was an article in the Jimboomba Times (February 3, 2010) noting an upcoming volunteer orientation day. I wanted to learn more about this program that offered so much physically, mentally, and socially for disabled riders. The volunteers (then and ongoing) are such a friendly, open group who taught me (an animal lover with no horse experience) everything needed to help out. What keeps me volunteering are the smiles on the riders’ faces and the real progress they make in their lessons. There’s never a boring day at RDA. I continue to learn from and appreciate the dedication and creativity of other volunteers, carers, and the riders themselves. Did I mention the added benefits of fresh air and exercise and working closely with that wonderful breed of horse, the RDA horse ? Thank you Tia, Bushie, Barnaby, and Lady and all the past four-legged members of the Crowson Park RDA family !

Mimi Erickson-Paulin
Volunteer

Having a little spare time, over 4years ago , I decided that I would like to take on a volunteer role for a worthwhile cause in our community. RDA was a likely choice for me . I had been involved with horses all my life , riding , breeding , showing , judging etc, therefore thought I could be of some value to our local RDA group at ‘Crowson Park ‘. I had never worked with children or adults with disabilities before ,(so I was a little apprehensive), but I thought I could do any job that involved the horses. I set myself the task of picking up the manure in the paddocks, bagging it & putting it at the front gate for $1 a bag . I enjoyed seeing the funds grow in the honesty box and pretty soon there was a team of ‘poo pickers’. We would all chat while we worked…. and I have made really wonderful friends from that humble beginning . Slowly, I started to side walk with our riders and then lead the horses ,without being too 'involved' with the riders ……..but all of that was to change . When I could see the enjoyment and smiles, their willingness to learn to ride at their ability , their progress every week, the enthusiasm of the coaches and the other volunteers on their team …I was hooked !!! I love working with ALL our riders, each has their own personalities, capabilities and goals and I am so happy to be part of the happy, friendly, family-like atmosphere at 'our little centre'. I would encourage any person who enjoys 'being enriched'…. It happens twice weekly HERE at CROWSON PARK RDA.

Helen Tidy
Volunteer