"there is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse"
Robert Smith-Surtess (1803-1864)

RDA IN AUSTRALIA
A CONCISE HISTORY

1964
Peter and June McIntyre began the first service at Kenmore, Queensland.
1971
RDA classes started in Victoria and South Australia.
1973
RDA started in New South Wales.
1975
RDA commenced in Tasmania. First Conference held in Adelaide. The Australian Council of Riding for the Disabled Association is formed.
1976
Conference held in Sydney.
1977
Conference held in Melbourne.
1979
Conference held in Perth. Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia is formed by agreement of the five State Associations at that time.
1980
ACT joins the National organisation.
1981
National Conference held in Melbourne.
1982
Conference held in Bowral, NSW. RDAA incorporated in Adelaide. Australia represented at International Congress held in Hamburg.
1984
National Conference held in Launceston. HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne accepts appointment as Patron of RDAA.
1985
National Administrator (part-time) appointed by RDAA. State Association formed in Queensland and becomes seventh member of the National body. Australia represented at International Congress in Milan. Riding for the Disabled International is formed. RDA classes start in Northern Territory at Alice Springs.ia. First Interstate Camp held at Glenormiston in Victoria
1986
National Conference held at Roseworthy, SA.
1987
Second Interstate Camp held at Ballina, NSW.
1988
National Conference held on the Gold Coast. Australia represented at Sixth International Therapeutic Riding Congress in Toronto. RDAA Handbook revised with Bicentennial Authority Grant which also produces RDAA Training Video.
1989
Ride for mobility fund established via funds raised by Sue Ellen Lovett on her rider from Cairns to the Gold coast in 1988, to fund overseas expertise to train RDAA coaches. RDAA agrees in principle to participate in appropriate overseas competitions.
1990
National Conference held in Perth, WA. Harness Driving guidelines adopted.
1991
RDA 1st National Dressage Championships, integrated with EFA National Dressage Championships Adelaide, SA. RDAA Strategic Planning Seminar, Melbourne. RDA establishes Vaulting and Driving as disciplines in RDA.
1992
1st International Coaching Workshop Geelong, Victoria. 2nd National Dressage Championships, Queensland. RDAA Coaches become part of National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. 1st National Integrated Vaulting Championships and Coach Workshop - April 1993, F. Spadinger, Germany Mr. Bill Roycroft appointed as Vice Patron RDAA.
1993
Team selected to represent Australia at World Dressage Championships For Disabled Riders - Hartpury, England. 3rd National Dressage Championships, NSW.
1994
Australia represented at 8th RDI Congress, New Zealand. National Dressage Judges School, Whittlesea, Victoria. Jonquil Solt, U.K. World Championships for Disabled Riders Hartpury, U.K. July RDAA Handbook updated. 4th National Dressage Championships, NSW.
1995
2nd International Coaching Workshop - Geelong, Victoria (April). 5th National Dressage Championships, VIC.
1996
5 Riders competed in Atlanta Paralympics in Dressage when for the first time competition was included in the Paralympics. RDAA personnel re write the International Rules for Dressage competition. 6th National Dressage Championships, WA.
1997
Third National Coaching Workshop, NSW April . Seventh National Dressage Championships, Adelaide, October."Straddle a Saddle" Inaugural event August. RDA North (NT) become a full member of RDAA. National Planning Seminar for RDAA ,NSW, December.
1998
National Dressage Championships in Queensland which incorporated an International Challenge event between Australia, New Zealand, Great Britainwith one Japanese rider. RDAA amended the Constitution to change the management structure and revised the ACC coaching syllabus for level 2 adding equestrian specific Coaching Principles into the syllabus. RDA Driver represents Australia at the World Driving Championships, Wolfsburg Germany.
1999
20 years of operationas a National organisation celebrated in October. Introduction of the Michael Field Memorial Volunteer Award. Dressage riders selected to represent Australia in New Zealand and at the World Dressage Championships for riders with a disability in Aarhus, Denmark. Tania kernaghan becomes Vice Patron of RDA Australia. "SMILEY" is introduced.
2000
RDA Australia involved in horse acquisition for Sydney Paralympic Games. Australian team of seven riders bring home 2 gold, two bronze medals and placed fifth overall in the team dressage event. Mounted Games introduced. SMILEY promotion continued as afundraiser and promotional tool.
2001
Fifth National Coaching Workshop held at Marcus Oldham College,Geelong,features Susanne Von Dietze, and attended by 160 coaches including 12 from Asia Pacific Region. SMILEY number three.