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Riding for the Disabled Barlavento Algarve
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Riding for the Disabled Barlavento Algarve

Os nossos Cavalos

Venha conhecer a malta…

Seria impossível fazermos o que fazemos na RDB sem os nossos magníficos cavalos!

Os cavalos provêm de variadas origens e são escolhidos a dedo por serem calmos, obedientes e por terem o temperamento indicado para trabalhar com crianças e pessoas com deficiência.

Temos um vasto leque de cavalos e póneis de diferentes tamanhos, para que possamos satisfazer as necessidades de cada cliente.

Cavalos felizes e saudáveis são o pilar do nosso programa na RDB, sendo que o nosso foco principal é o bem-estar e a segurança do cavalo. Os nossos técnicos e voluntários são todos formados e com experiência em manejamento equestre.

Bob

Bob

Bob has been with QPA and used for RDB since 2016.

Bob is used on and off the lead rein in sessions with a big range of riders, from wheelchair dependent riders to independent riders.

Leaders have to watch that Bob doesn’t get hold of the lead rein or reins, as he loves to chew them!

a.k.a Bobalob.

  • Sexo: Macho castrado
  • Tamanho: 15 hands
  • Cor: Cebruno

Boli

Boli

Boli is a rescue pony who started his work with RDB in 2017.

He is used mainly for Hippotherapy alongside Penny.

Boli is a firm favourite with all who meet him!

a.k.a. Bolinha

  • Sexo: Macho castrado
  • Tamanho: 8 hands
  • Cor: Malhado

(spot Bob photobombing in the background!)

Chica

Chica

Chica has been working with RDB since 2018.

Chica works on and off lead rein, in adapted and therapeutic riding.

  • Sexo: Égua
  • Tamanho: 15 hands
  • Cor: Baio

Penny

Penny

Penny has been at QPA since 2003 and was one of the first RDB ponies.

She has been the ride of, and still is the ride of many of our riders; she does everything! From wheelchair dependent riders to independent adapted riders.

Alongside Boli, Penny is one of our main hippotherapy ponies.

  • Sexo: Égua
  • Tamanho: 13 hands
  • Cor: Alazão

Romeo

Romeo

Romeo was bred in Spain and was a carriage horse in Seville before coming to Portugal. He has been at QPA since 2010 and has been working with RDB almost as long.

Romeo is a great all-rounder, turning his hoof to everything.

In RDB he is used for Equitação adapted riding, therapeutic riding and hippotherapy.

a.k.a. Romy

  • Sexo: Macho castrado
  • Tamanho: 14.2 hands
  • Cor: Cinzento

Runa

Runa

Runa has been at QPA since 2006. She only started working with RDB in 2021 and has already become a firm part of the team!

Runa is used for adapted and therapy riding.

  • Sexo: Égua
  • Tamanho: 15.1 hands
  • Cor: Cinzento

Zeus

Zeus

Zeus has been working with RDB since 2013. He takes a lot of our bigger riders and works only on lead rein.

Zeus works with adapted, therapeutic and hippotherapy riders.

  • Sexo: Macho castrado
  • Tamanho: 15 hands
  • Cor: Cinzento
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CONTACTOS

  • Centro Hípico Quinta Paraíso Alto, Fronteira, Bensafrim, 8600-089 LAGOS
  • Maddie Grossey (UK): +351 282 912 682
  • Sue Wilson (PT): +351 912 351 114
  • maddiegrossey@gmail.com
  • 37° 9'45.45"N, 8°43'3.39"W

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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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