About Wyfold RDA
Our Riders
Wyfold RDA welcomes participants with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, Autism, ADHD and mental health conditions, and there are no age restrictions.
Riding and carriage driving, as well as general horse-care activities, offer different ways to boost confidence, mobility and well-being for individuals of all abilities. The therapeutic benefits of bringing people and horses together are widely recognised.
Clients are generally referred by a medical practitioner. After an initial assessment, a riding programme is devised with the support of the Group's own qualified physiotherapist.
Our Team
At Wyfold, we have over 60 amazing volunteers, taking turns throughout the week to make the centre run smoothly. They turn up whatever the weather, to look after our team of ponies and make sure everyone is well-fed, healthy and safe.
Each day, there is a dedicated team that helps groom and tack up the animals ready for their riders. They assist during the lessons, always led by one of our exceptional instructors. All instructors have qualified through the RDA training programme.
Our wonderful yard manager oversees operations, ensuring continuity of care from day to day, as well as having overall responsibility for the welfare of the ponies.
As a charity, we are led by a team of volunteer trustees, chaired by Diane Lee.
You don't have to be horsey to help! We are always looking for cake-bakers, fund-raising superstars and maintenance enthusiasts to keep the place ship-shape.
Our History
Wyfold RDA is set in the beautiful grounds of Wyfold Court, at one time home to Borocourt Hospital.
The Group began in 1970, providing riding opportunities to some of the patients of the hospital. Initially, the Group was very small, using ponies borrowed from a local riding school.
A major step forward occurred in 1998 when Borocourt Hospital was closed and the site redeveloped for housing. As a condition of the planning consent, the developer provided a site of some 13 acres for the Group on a long lease at a peppercorn rent. A major fundraising activity enabled the Group to construct and equip purpose-built facilities with a meeting room, storage and an all-weather riding arena, plus fencing and water to the pasture.
Over the years the activity has expanded and the Group now serves over 60 riders and 15 drivers each week, making Wyfold one of the larger RDA groups.
