Riding for the Disabled Association

What Riding for the Disabled Association does

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), legally "Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving," is a UK-registered charity and company limited by guarantee founded in 1969. Headquartered at Lowlands Equestrian Centre in Shrewley, Warwickshire, RDA delivers therapeutic equestrian activities, including riding, carriage driving, vaulting, hippotherapy, mechanical horse sessions, and Equine-Facilitated Learning, to over 39,000 disabled children and adults annually through a network of more than 500 volunteer-run local groups and approved centres across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, supported by over 13,700 active volunteers.

The organisation operates a community-led go-to-market model: services are largely free or subsidised to participants and are delivered through locally embedded volunteer groups, with a national office providing governance, training, and brand standards. Its core technical infrastructure centres on the 2019-opened National Training Centre at Lowlands Farm, which standardises coach and volunteer training; a structured Coach Training Programme covering e-learning, regional training days, and disability awareness; and recognised welfare standards via the British Equestrian Charter for the Horse. Competitive products include riding, carriage driving, vaulting, hippotherapy, and a portfolio of competitive disciplines (dressage, show jumping, countryside challenge, performance showing, endurance, best turned out, horse care) culminating in the annual RDA National Championships at Hartpury University.

RDA's business model is donation-funded across six streams: individual donations, legacy/gift-in-wills (via Octopus Legacy), corporate partnerships (Harry Hall 2025, Howden, Agria Blenheim, London Horse Show), trust and foundation grants (e.g., Pets Foundation), fundraising events, and People's Postcode Lottery (over £2.5M since 2013). It does not disclose revenue or pricing publicly. The organisation is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Helena Vega-Lozano (appointed December 2023) and led by Chief Executive Michael Bishop (appointed January 2024), with HRH The Princess Royal serving as President for 40 years.

Name

Riding for the Disabled Association

Legal name

Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving

Website

https://www.rda.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Riding for the Disabled Association is a nonprofit organization that provides therapy, fitness, and skills to people with disability.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Equestrian Services for Disabled People

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreational Outings, Community Participation & Mobility Support (Non-Clinical) (HSABAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Disability equestrian programmes
• Adaptive carriage driving
• Equine-assisted learning
• Equine welfare charity

Headquarters

HQ city

Shrewley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute directly to RDA through one-time or recurring donations via the website donate page.
2. Legacy Giving / Gifts in Wills: RDA partners with Octopus Legacy to offer free will-writing services, encouraging supporters to leave legacies to the charity.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Companies like Harry Hall (Charity Partner 2025), Howden, and various sponsors support RDA through financial contributions and in-kind support.
4. Trust and Foundation Grants: RDA receives grants from charitable trusts and foundations including Pets Foundation for equine welfare projects.
5. Fundraising Events: Challenge events, the National Championships outdoor cinema, and various fundraising activities generate revenue.
6. People's Postcode Lottery: Ongoing funding from players of People's Postcode Lottery, who have contributed over £2.5 million since 2013.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) delivers therapeutic and life-changing equestrian experiences to disabled children and adults across the UK. Its portfolio includes therapeutic riding sessions, carriage driving, vaulting, hippotherapy, and Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), delivered through a network of more than 500 volunteer-run local groups and approved centres. Activities are funded primarily through charitable donations, grants, and corporate partnerships and are provided free or at subsidised rates to participants.

Product overview

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a UK-wide charity providing therapeutic and life-changing equestrian experiences for disabled people. The organization offers a unified portfolio of core services including therapeutic riding sessions, carriage driving, vaulting, Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), and hippotherapy. These activities are complemented by competitive programmes including dressage, show jumping, countryside challenge, performance showing, endurance, and best turned out competitions. RDA operates the annual National Championships as its flagship competitive event and delivers training through its National Training Centre and structured Coach Training Programme. Additional offerings include community programmes such as Tea with a Pony and holiday riding programmes. The organization is supported by volunteer and staff recruitment portals and governance through a Board of Trustees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Riding Sessions Therapeutic horse riding sessions for disabled children and adults, tailored to individual needs and abilities, providing physical, mental, and emotional benefits through equestrian activities.
• Carriage Driving Therapeutic carriage driving activities offering improved coordination, balance, relaxation through rhythmic movement, and outdoor experiences for disabled participants.
• Vaulting Acrobatic and artistic vaulting activities performed on horseback or barrel, allowing participants to achieve physical and personal achievements individually, in pairs, or as teams.
• Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) Non-ridden equine activities promoting confidence, communication, independence, and wellbeing for individuals with disabilities through structured engagement with horses.
• Hippotherapy Therapeutic sessions utilizing the movement of horses to provide physical therapy benefits, improve posture, head control, breathing, and flexibility for participants with complex needs.
• Mechanical Horse Sessions Sessions using mechanical horses for participants who are not yet ready for real horses, helping develop core strength and prepare for live riding.
• RDA National Championships Annual three-day championship event featuring dressage, show jumping, carriage driving, vaulting, and other disciplines for disabled competitors, with 178 classes, 99 competing groups, and 650 entries.
• Coach Training Programme Structured pathway for training coaches including e-learning modules, regional/national training days covering coaching skills, equine welfare, disability knowledge, and practical experience.
• National Training Centre Central hub at Lowlands Farm, Warwickshire for coaches and volunteers to enhance skills and share best practices, supporting the organization's training programmes.
• Tea with a Pony Interactive sessions connecting participants with ponies in a relaxed setting, supporting dementia awareness and community engagement.
• Holiday Riding Programmes Riding activities available during school holidays providing continued engagement and physical activity for participants outside term time.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of participants feel calm and focused during sessions (mental wellbeing outcome)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse TrialscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 January 2026RDA was official charity partner for the 2026 Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, marking the second consecutive year of partnership. This reflects shared belief in the power of horses to change lives.
• Hartpury University & CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2025RDA UK and Hartpury launched a pioneering three-year research partnership on disability and equine wellbeing, understanding the life-changing potential of equine-assisted activities.
• EC ProminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025EC Pro announced partnership with RDA UK to support inclusive equestrian experiences, reinforcing its commitment to equestrian organisations making meaningful difference to people's lives.
• Harry HallcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 January 2025RDA was chosen as Harry Hall's Charity Partner for 2025 after receiving 57% of votes from Harry Hall's community.
• Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse TrialscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 January 2025RDA named Charity Partner of the Year and official charity for the event, which hosted the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship in 2025.
• London International Horse ShowcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 July 2024RDA announced as official charity partner for the 2024 London International Horse Show, shining as charity partner.
• HowdencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHowden serves as RDA's expert insurance broker and advisor. Catherine, Head of Equine at Howden, volunteers weekly at her local RDA group.
• British EquestriancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRDA is a member body of British Equestrian and has pledged to the Charter for the Horse - a unified approach for ethical treatment of all horses under their care.
• Octopus LegacyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for free will-writing service allowing supporters to write or update their will for free, encouraging legacy giving to RDA.
• Power of PolominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Power of Polo and The Diamond Centre RDA for a day of connection and confidence-building through horses at Park Lane Stables.
• LifewithArtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampionship Supporting Partner for Arts & Crafts at the 2026 National Championships.
• Brown AdvisoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampionship Supporting Partner for Creative Writing at the 2026 National Championships.
• Taylor-RoseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampionship Supporting Partner for Dressage & Countryside Challenge at the 2026 National Championships.
• Hartpury University & CollegecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for the RDA National Championships at Hartpury's world-renowned equestrian facilities in Gloucestershire.
• EstribosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial edition merchandise partnership celebrating RDA.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.): The largest global credentialing body and membership organisation for equine-assisted activity programmes. Directly comparable to RDA in mission and offering (therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, carriage driving for people with disabilities), though it operates primarily as a US-based standards/certification body serving member centres rather than running centres itself.
• The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy: Specialist UK charity offering residential and non-residential equine-assisted therapy, education and work-based learning for young people with disabilities. Comparable in therapeutic equestrian focus and target beneficiary group, though smaller scale and residential model differs from RDA's federated community delivery.
• The Cheyne Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy: UK-based charity providing conductive education and hippotherapy using horses for children with cerebral palsy and motor learning disabilities. Closely comparable to RDA's hippotherapy offering and beneficiary profile, though narrower clinical specialisation.

Regional players

• Riding for the Disabled Australia: Direct sister organisation with the same RDA brand in Australia, delivering therapeutic horse riding, carriage driving, and equestrian activities to people with disabilities through a federated volunteer model. Same mission, governance and activity mix; non-overlapping geography.
• Riding for the Disabled Ireland: Irish equivalent of RDA providing therapeutic riding and carriage driving to people with disabilities across Ireland. Closely comparable mission, activity mix and federated delivery model; non-overlapping geography (Republic of Ireland vs UK).

Broad incumbents

• British Horse Society: The UK's largest equestrian charity, focused on horse welfare, access, safety and education across all equestrian activities rather than specifically therapeutic riding. RDA is a member body of British Equestrian, and both share equine welfare advocacy, but BHS serves the broader riding population.
• The Horse Trust: Leading UK equine welfare charity providing respite, retirement, and rehabilitation for working horses including police and military horses. Comparable in equine welfare ethos and grant-making to RDA-aligned causes (e.g. Pets Foundation grant), but focused on horse welfare rather than disabled participant outcomes.

BROAD_INCINCUMBENTs

• British Equestrian: The UK national governing body for equestrian sport, of which RDA is a member body. Overlaps with RDA on equine welfare standards and Charter for the Horse commitment, but British Equestrian covers all equestrian disciplines competitively rather than therapeutic applications.

Emerging players

• National Autistic Society: Major UK disability charity serving autistic people and their families through education, advocacy and services. Overlaps with RDA on disability beneficiary segment and community-based service delivery, but does not provide equine-assisted activities.
• Sense (UK disability charity): UK charity supporting people with complex disabilities including deafblindness through education, housing and community services. Comparable in serving people with complex physical/sensory disabilities who are part of RDA's participant base, but operating model (housing/services) differs from equine therapy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rdanational
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RDANational
• Facebookfacebook.com/RDANational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riding-for-the-disabled-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/rdauk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Riding for the Disabled Association