Associação de Equitação Adaptada Barlavento | Riding for the Disabled Barlavento

A Associação de Equitação do Barlavento (RDB)

A Associação de Equitação Adaptada do Barlavento / Riding for the Disabled Barlavento (RDB) fica situada no Barlavento Algarvio, Portugal, e foi fundada no início de 2007 para promover os objectivos do Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

A nossa sede fica no Centro Hípico de Quinta do Paraíso Alto, Bensafrim, não muito longe de Monchique e a apenas 5 kms da cidade piscatória de Lagos.

A RDB é uma associação voluntária e sem fins lucrativos dedicada a marcar a diferença na vida de pessoas com deficiência, permitindo que montem a cavalo de modo a melhorar a saúde, o bem-estar, e a alcançar novos objectivos.

VOLUNTARIADO

O voluntariado na RDB é uma experiência gratificante e enriquecedora. Formação é providenciada pela associação e destina-se a pessoas com mais de 16 anos. Venha juntar-se à família RDB!

DONATIVOS

Faça a diferença na vida de alguém ao fazer um simples donativo à RDB. Existem várias maneiras de contribuir: poderá doar o seu tempo, dinheiro, serviços, experiência… tudo ajuda!

PATROCÍNIOS

Quer seja uma empresa, um fiduciário ou pessoa individual, se quiser conversar connosco sobre um possível patrocínio, teremos todo o gosto em recebê-lo. Basta ligar!
Associação de Equitação Adaptada Barlavento | Riding for the Disabled Barlavento

Ajude a Prestar Apoio à Equitação Adaptada do Barlavento

A RDB está empenhada em proporcionar experiências que irão mudar as vidas de crianças e adultos com deficiência, pelo Barlavento Algarvio fora.
Associação de Equitação Adaptada Barlavento | Riding for the Disabled Barlavento

Centro Hípico Quinta Paraíso Alto
Fronteira, Bensafrim, 8600-089 LAGOS

Tel: +351 282 912 682
Email: maddiegrossey@gmail.com

Benefícios da RDB para os Utentes

O Contacto com a Natureza

A RDB proporciona uma oportunidade única de proximidade com os animais e de estar ao ar livre a apreciar a natureza.

Recomendado por Médicos

A RDB desempenha um excelente papel no que respeita a força muscular, coordenação motora, aumento dos níveis de energia, foco e equilíbrio.

Desenvolva Novas Habilidades

Embora o objectivo da RDB não seja a competição em si, o facto é que encorajamos os nossos utentes a dar o seu melhor. Temos atletas Olímpicos!

Socialização

As aulas em grupo permitem aos utentes interagir com os colegas e formar amizades inestimáveis.

Músculos Núcleo

O movimento do cavalo é muito semelhante ao movimento de caminhada, o que permite ensinar padrões rítmicos aos músculos das pernas e tronco.

Inclusividade

A RDB é adequada para crianças a partir dos 3 anos de idade. O nosso objectivo é juntar utentes de diferentes proveniências, sexos e aptidões.

RDB Volunteer - Ann Margret Engstrom

Qualifications / Experience

  • Previous experience with horses

Joined RDB

2010

Ann-Margret Engstrom

Leader/Sidewalker

Ann-Margret has been volunteering at RDB as a leader/sidewalker for around 10 to 12 years. She used to have horses in Sweden and used to ride a lot, so by volunteering she gets her horse fix!

“Horses have always  been part of my life.
Riding schools once a week during my years of studies and thereafter three times a week sharing privately owned horses. Some Summers working in a stud. Driving one or two in hand. Lounging and a lot of fun riding in the fields and in the forests.
Good pastimes off work and a lot of laughter when mocking out chatting with friends doing the same. No competitions and quite a lot of private lessons.”
Clive Williams - a volunteer at RDB

Qualifications / Experience

  • Retired Electrical Contracts Manager

Joined RDB

2016

Clive Williams

Leader / Sidewalker & General Maintenance

I moved to Lagos in 2015 and joined RDB some time later having little or no experience  of working with horses or the disabled.

I enjoy the company of other volunteers and especially seeing the reaction of the riders.

My role at RDB is as a side walker or horse leader and the maintenance of the grounds and mechanical equipment.

My main pastime is sailing my yacht SHENANIGAN locally around the Algarve.

Screenshot 2022-01-23 at 22.43.16

Qualifications / Experience

  • Retired Nursery Nurse

Joined RDB

In 2022

Heather Piper

Leader / Sidewalker

I wanted to carry on using my skills acquired through life. Ponies, ponies, ponies as a child and teenager, then 40 years working with children of varying abilities in special school settings. Of which, 10 years spent with young people with hearing impairment and another 10 years working 1:1 with children and young adults with autism.

I love coming to RDB, everyone is so nice, friendly and cheerful!

IMG_1493 (1)

Qualifications / Experience

  • Joana has experience with horses

Joined RDB

At birth!

Joana Wilson Luz

Leader / Sidewalker

Joana is Sue Wilson‘s daughter and has grown up surrounded by horses at QPA. 

Joana has been helping out with RDB ever since she was tiny.

Joana loves seeing the progress the riders make and is a great help!

Rod Frew

Qualifications / Experience

  • Founder member of Algarve Wednesday Walkers
  • Founder of RDB

Joined RDB

2007

Rod Frew

President of the General Assembly

Rod is President of RDB and original founder along with Jinny Harman, Secretary.

Rod & Jinny set up the initial ‘Ride the Algarve Way’ fundraiser, an epic 240km 6-day marathon ride, which raised over €35.000,00 euros. These funds were split equally between Riding for the Disabled Barlavento, to set it up, and the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Association. 

Jinny Harman

Qualifications / Experience

  • Owner of QPA
  • Founder of RDB
  • Over 30 years’ experience working with horses
  • Qualified trainer

Joined RDB

2007

Jinny Harman

Secretary

Jinny is Secretary of RDB and original founder along with Rod Frew, President of the General Assembly.

Rod & Jinny set up the initial ‘Ride the Algarve Way’ fundraiser, an epic 240km 6-day marathon ride, which raised over €35.000,00 euros. These funds were split equally between Riding for the Disabled Barlavento, to set it up, and the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Association. 

Jinny is also owner of Quinta Paraíso Alto Riding Centre where the RDB sessions are held, and donates Sue, her Stable Manager, to RDB as a fully certified Trainer.

Jinny set up QPA in 1992 and has extensive knowledge and experience in working with horses.

Tenney

Qualifications / Experience

  • Treasurer for school PTAs &
  • Volunteered for RDA in the UK
  • Prior horse experience

Joined RDB

2020

Tenney Cotton

Treasurer

Tenney owned horses in the UK and has prior experience of volunteering for RDA in the UK, so as soon as she learned about RDB she joined the team and is now Treasurer.

Tenney volunteers on a Friday supporting private clients and feels that RDB is such a valuable resource for the kids.

“Being out in the fresh air, getting physiotherapy is so good for them. The children definitely get stronger physically but also their communication skills and confidence improves greatly. For example, I have seen a huge change with Bea during the time I have been helping her. Her communication and confidence has improved and I can see she is really enjoying it. Also, Bea’s core strength has developed greatly.”

Not only does Tenney loves supporting the children, she gets a workout whilst walking around the arena and gets her horse fix at the same time!

Denise

Qualifications / Experience

  • Denise worked in Community Care in the UK supporting autistic children plus has prior horse experience

Joined RDB

2019

Denise Kelly

Leader/Sidewalker

Denise has been volunteering at RDB since 2019. She had moved to the area and met Jinny and as soon as Jinny found out that Denise was a horse woman she signed her up!

Denise has two of her own horses still back in the UK and misses them greatly. She loves being around horses so volunteering enables that but she gets the most satisfaction from seeing the smiles on the riders’ faces. “Seeing their mobility improving and knowing you are helping and enriching their lives is very rewarding”.

Denise volunteers on a Friday between 9am & 12:30 pm, supporting individual riders and riders from NECI.

Maddie

Qualifications / Experience

  • Lawyer

Joined RDB

2008

Maddie Grossey

Committee President

Maddie had no previous experience with horses or working with people of physical or mental disabilities before joining RDB, which just goes to show that experience is not necessary to join our team! 

Maddie has been president now for around 5 years and is in charge of organising all the sessions. 

Maddie gets great satisfaction and happiness from seeing the delight on the faces of the riders.

Ângela, our qualified Physiotherapist and Hippotherapist

Qualificatções / Experiência

  • Formada em Fisioterapia desde 2006
  • Especialista em Neuropediatria e Desenvolvimento Infantil

Juntou-se à RDB em

2007

Ângela Mesquita

Fisioterapeuta

A Ângela tem trabalhado com a Associação de Equitação Adaptada do Barlavento desde 2007, inicialmente com formação de Auxiliar de Equitação Terapêutica, como técnica que acompanhava os Utentes da Instituição NECI, e desde 2018 com formação de Técnica de Equitação Terapêutica a trabalhar como Técnica Responsável pela Equitação Terapêutica da Associação.

Juntamente com a Sue Wilson, Monitora responsável de Equitação da Associação e do Centro Hípico, promovem competições de Equitação Adaptada pelo Algarve como responsáveis da EquiSpecialAlgarve, comissão organizadora de provas de Equitação Adaptada. Para além de promoverem a participação de vários Atletas com Deficiência, a competir no Special Olympic Portugal.

Sue Wilson Riding 4 Disabled Barlavento

Qualifications / Experience

  • Trainer in General Equitation, RDB and Equitação Adaptada
  • RDB trainer since 2003

Joined RDB

2003

Sue Wilson

Trainer

Sue has 30 years general equitation experience and has worked at Quinta Paraíso Alto for 23 years. Sue originally trained as an RDA trainer through the RDA in the UK and has implemented her knowledge at RDA in Portugal since 2003.

Sue’s favourite bit of working with the riders is all the smiles & hugs she receives! Some riders when they start at RDB are scared of the horses as they are much bigger animals to those that they are used to. Sue introduces them gently to the horses and slowly builds their trust.

Travelling to Abu Dhabi with the National Portuguese Special Olympics team was one of the highest points of Sue’s journey with RDB and an out of this world experience. Seeing Lucelia win medals, having been scared to even touch a horse when she first started, was simply incredible.

One memory that really sticks with Sue is something said to her by Eugênio, a past rider with RDB. When he was asked what he liked most about RDB Eugênio said, ‘when I’m on a horse I am walking again’. Sadly Eugenio is no longer with us, but to know that RDB helped him ‘walk again’ is validation of how important RDB is to the lives of those with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges.

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