Sunrise start for Sunrise

It was a chilly and early 4am start for Samford RDA volunteers, participants and horses on Wednesday July 17 – but it was all for a great cause as they featured on breakfast television to highlight national RDA Awareness Week.

Our centre, which is the largest of its type in Queensland and an RDA ‘Centre of Excellence’ was selected by RDA Australia (RDAA) to 'showcase' the work of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) on Channel 7's Sunrise program. The organisation celebrates 60 years of working with people with a disability.

The Sunrise team led by hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington crossed live to Samford with weather host Sam Mac for regular weather reports and interviews with various RDA representatives. As well as Samford RDA coach Rio Hutchings and RDAA President Justin Dent, interviews were conducted with our participants, parents or carers, and volunteers.

The national publicity was a great opportunity to promote the work of the centre and the valuable role of horses in helping people with a disability. The natural movement of a horse is similar to a human walk, so benefits to people with mobility issues include improved muscle tone, core body strength, and balance.

RDA is a volunteer-based organisation which relies on broad community support to operate its programs and care for its herd of special horses. Samford RDA is fortunate to have both centre and horse sponsors, plus strong support from council, state and federal representatives and the local community. As an example, Anthony from Samford Patisserie donated breakfast pastries and Adam Geary from Maxicoffee kept all involved in the Sunrise broadcast warm with hot coffee and hot chocolate.

Sam Mac from Sunrise interviews RDA rider Caleb. Caleb rode Paddington and was supported by coach Rio Hutchings