Who are we

RDA in Penang is a project initiated in June 2000 by Ms Eva Blake and member of the Penang Polo Club in collaboration with Asia Community Service (ASC), a non-profit organization working with children and adult with intellectual disabilities in Penang. The activity is currently operating under the umbrella body of Riding for the Disable Association, Malaysia.

Ms Shelley Rodgers from Perak Turf Club Equestrian Centre was invited to conduct the first introductory session, followed by regular bi-weekly with weekly sessions now. Those that have benefited from the sessions include some 40 children and adult with special needs from ACS centres and seven (7) other welfare organizations in Penang. Some of the riders are as young as five years old, and range from those with Down syndrome to Autism to those who are wheelchair borne.

Horse back riding is recognised as one of the more progressive forms of therapy. It is the use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioural goals.

The programme is run on a weekly basis in the evenings of Tuesday and Thursdays and is open to all children and young adults with special needs. However, riders have to sign up for a series of 8 sessions per batch.

Our needs

Volunteers who are friendly with both animals and disabled children and willing to commit on a weekly basis for about two hours i.e. preparing the horses, leading the horses, side walking, coaxing the children etc.

Financial support to maintain the three horses and two ponies i.e. approximately RM 500 a month; raw cooking oil as food supplement for the horses.

Cheques Made Payable to: Please contact the Association directly or Asia Community Services.

Other contacts

Contact RDA Royal Selangor Polo Club:
Sue Crawford – [email protected]
Tel- +6 0129785042

Contact RDA Selangor Turf Club :
Cheryl Victor – [email protected]
Tel +6 03-90502346

Contact RDA Bukit Kiara Equestrian Centre:
Zuraidah Omar – [email protected]
Tel +6 019-2108127

Contact RDA Perak Turf Club Ipoh:
Sheila Matthew – [email protected]
Tel – 05-2539006 or 05-2421522

Contact RDA Malaysian Armed Forces EC:
Muthusamy Kandasamy – [email protected]
Tel – +6 0124677201

Contact RDA Penang:
Nicole –
Tel -+604 8276598

Find more info on Asia Community Service, click here.

Riding For Disabled Association