SI Joondalup Riding for the Disabled

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Soroptimist International of Joondalup have, since their charter over thirty years ago, always been interested in Riding for the Disabled having seen first hand the amazing confidence that being able to ride a pony or horse gives to the rider.

Suitable horses with the right temperament are difficult to find. When the club nominated Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) as their local project in 2007, they entered the lottery to purchase a pony using proceeds from fundraising and a grant from the City of Wanneroo. Capricorn RDA on Old Yanchep Road were the lucky recipients of a pony who was named  Sijo (Soroptimist International of JOondalup) and Carine RDA had a pony leased for them at their request.

Past president Jenny Van Driel was very pleased to find that, when she recently visited Capricorn Riding for the Disabled, Sijo has proven to be one of the better ponies they have had and is very popular with the riders. The staff were very eager to show Jenny the beautiful foal that Sijo had two years ago.  “Splash” came into the world as a shewbald with large splashes of colour on her and is a carbon copy of her mother and is a very valuable asset to the RDA. Jenny said that the only way she could tell the ponies apart was by the different coloured leading reins. Splash has since lost most of her colour, but you see a hint of it on her rump

The staff at Capricorn are delighted that Splash has her mother’s temperament and hope to train her as an RDA pony as well, thus ensuring that many more disabled people will be able to experience the challenge and confidence building that results from their encounters.

Bee Bee Sullivan