Riding for Confidence

A special horse riding programme organised by the Gisborne Riding Club For The Disabled does wonders in building up confidence and moral in disabled young people in the district. After only three days of careful tuition and help these young people gained a measure of confidence that was almost incredible. The co-ordination of muscles required for riding a horse requires quite a lot of concentration and at the end of the one week course the difference in outlook in these people was quite remarkable.

Members of the club lead the very quiet horses around a specially designed course.

Andrea Dixon enjoyed every moment of the week as did, we are sure, the horse and helper Christine Couper.

Under the tuition of Mrs A. A. Bruce (right) Lois Bury leads horse and rider over the cavaletti section. This is actually the very basic introduction to jumping, although of course this is as far as it goes.

Pictured with Mrs Mary Parkinson, secretary of the club, is Ronald Tipoki, who is confined to a wheelchair.

The difference to Ronald is a pleasure to see as he takes a ride with the aid of Angela Mence and leader Lesley Gousmette.

Club chairman Dr V. Davidson supervises one of the morning's exercises.

Even a relay "race" is given rein (if you'll pardon the pun). Here Phillip Pahina exchanges the apple 'baton' with Andrew Crane.

Immensely proud of her ability is Alma Reti. Feeding the horse is Mrs D. L. Graham and holding same is Suzanne Stevens.

Previous article Issue contents Next article

The Gisborne Photo News

No 227 : May 23, 1973

Riding for Confidence