![CONFIDENT: Clients and volunteers Kelly Usher and Sarah Hoskins have greatly benefited from the service of RDA. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB02 CONFIDENT: Clients and volunteers Kelly Usher and Sarah Hoskins have greatly benefited from the service of RDA. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB02](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/6dbc9ee4-4f3f-4d81-997c-70ba527372b7.jpg/r0_0_3000_2093_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
SARAH Hoskins has been coming to Riding for the Diasabled (RDA) for three years and overcoming obstacles everyday.
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The volunteer-powered organisation has given Sarah one invaluable gift. Confidence.
A client for three years and now a volunteer herself, Sarah has come on in leaps and bounds as a result.
“I’ve become a lot more confident talking to people,” she said.
“I find the riding to be very therapeutic.”
Despite the wet weather, nothing could dampen the spirits at the Tamworth RDA arena, with the opening of a new trail and obstacle course on Thursday.
Clients and volunteers opened the new trail with Francis de Groot-style ribbon cutting.
![CHARGE: A new obstacle course, built by volunteers, getting opened in style at Tamworth's Riding for the Disabled arena on Marius St. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB04 CHARGE: A new obstacle course, built by volunteers, getting opened in style at Tamworth's Riding for the Disabled arena on Marius St. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB04](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/616bcbf9-5d69-4877-8604-2c25b7b3c349.jpg/r0_0_3000_2064_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Volunteers have been busy putting the finishing touches on the obstacle course which was brought to life with $2000 community grant from Tamworth Regional Council.
The organisation has been running for many decades, but its simple work is still helping youngsters and adults alike with the obstacles they face.
Kate Butler has been bringing her two grandchildren, Nikita and John, to RDA over the last three years and “it’s truly the best thing”.
![IT'S THE BEST: Kate Butler has seen her grandchildren come on in leaps and bounds as as result of RDA. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB09 IT'S THE BEST: Kate Butler has seen her grandchildren come on in leaps and bounds as as result of RDA. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB09](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/88480372-1fd9-4a21-9829-75aaeac73ce6.jpg/r700_355_3108_3003_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
“When [Nikita] first started she couldn’t even pull herself on to the horse from the ramp,” Ms Butler said.
“Now she actually goes to gymkhanas and they let her take the horse, Ice Cream, from here and now she’s advanced to another horse.”
Ms Butler said it’s something about building connections with the animals that makes it so effective for children with disabilities.
“To start off with it’s the connection with the animal,” she said.
“All animals bring out something in children.”
That foundation is built on by the compassion of the volunteers, she says.
“The people here are so caring and tolerant, they do such good, hard work,” she said.
“We notice each little thing that each child has done from one week to the next.
“It’s confidence building [for the children].
![HAPPY TO HELP: Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and mayor Col Murray open the new obstacle course. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB08 HAPPY TO HELP: Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and mayor Col Murray open the new obstacle course. Photo: Gareth Gardner 290617GGB08](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/739f80df-209a-42df-b6c1-d7f441d538ce.jpg/r0_0_4247_3000_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)