Our Organisation  

Riding for the Disabled Carine is a charitable organisation that is dedicated to providing therapeutic equine assisted activities that help people with disabilities and special needs achieve goals that develop their abilities and enrich their lives. RDA Carine has been going for over 50 years now and is the largest of the State’s RDA Centres.

 

The Centre currently has around 150 riders with various degrees of disabilities who attend sessions weekly and there are currently another 100 plus on the waiting list to get into our programs. The Centre, sits on 14 acres of Council owned land in Carine and operates six days a week.

 

The organisation is based on and reliant on volunteers and accredited coaches to operate. Currently there are approximately 100 people who volunteer on a regular weekly basis and another 25 who drop in to provide some assistance when time permits.

 

Our riders’ ages range from 3 to 70 with a wide range of disabilities which include Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy Multiple Sclerosis, Vision Impairments, Intellectual Disabilities, Down Syndrome and Autism. They come direct to the Centre or via programs, such as Special Educational programs at schools, Rocky Bay Disability Services etc.

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In November 2021, in consultation and with full support from the City of Stirling; Lotterywest; Rotary Club of Karrinyup and Elders of the Whadjuk Noongar community, the RDA Carine ‘Dandjoo Koorliny’ Arena and mural artwork was launched.  Riders, volunteers, dignataries and members of the WADJAK Northside Aboriginal Community Group witnessed the formal proceedings.  

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The ‘Dandjoo Koorliny’ translates to 'Together Going / Moving Forward' - very apt to the work that RDA Carine performs within our community.

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The arena now provides many opportunities for our program to be held all year round regardless of the weather conditions.