Disabled driving
The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has offered carriage driving as an activity since 1975 and it is available to all RDA members. There are now almost 80 groups involved, giving opportunities to over 1,000 drivers. RDA volunteers sit alongside the driver to offer assistance and tuition as and when it's required.
British Carriagedriving also offers affiliated competitions, from grassroots up to championship level, with the World Driving Championships as the pinnacle of the sport. Disabled drivers can compete in horse driving trials and at the annual National Championships.
Carriage driving offers many of the same benefits as riding...
- Improved co-ordination
- Improved muscle power
- Improved balance
- Relaxation through rhythmic movement
- Being out in the open air
The RDA encourages drivers to progress along similar development pathways as riders. Drivers can take proficiency tests to increase and demonstrate their ability and knowledge, and can compete in RDA and British Driving Society (BDS) Shows, where classes are specified.
Developed in conjunction with the RDA, Accessibility Mark is awarded to commercial riding centres that have been trained by RDA to encourage more disabled participants into the world of horse riding and its therapeutic benefits.
Find your nearest centre that offers disabled driving by using our Find a Riding Centre tool.
