Port Pirie

About RDA Port Pirie

Offers both RDA riding and Carriage Driving.

Grounds located at Anzac Road, Port Pirie.
NCAS RDA Level 1 coach and Level 1 whip accredited.
Lessons started March 2009

Ph: 08 8633 1646 or email: william.rogers1*bigpond.com

News from Skippy Flink - November 2011

All is going well way up here; our riders are all improving at a rapid rate, with quite a number of them now off the lead rein, and handling the ponies and Wilbur (our horse) extremely well.

This last week, they went on a “Trail Ride” which took them around the grounds of RDA Port Pirie, and they were absolutely delighted. It gave the riders a feeling of the ‘wide open spaces’ and the ponies and Wilbur enjoyed the change from walking around the arena. More and more of our riders are now able to “rise” trot, which is really pleasing – to see the looks of delight on the kids’ faces as they finally find the rhythm.

We are still doing our monthly trip to Port Pirie Markets, held down at the foreshore “Flinders View Park”, which as its name suggests has magnificent views of the Flinders Ranges, and also the Pirie River. Today (Sunday) the weather was rather windy, and we raced around picking up craft that had blown off the table, one way of keeping fit!! We take our Lucky Dip boxes with us as well as our donation tin, and of course the “Smiley” badges which prove so very popular with the kids and quite a few adults as well.

I attach a photograph of a new resident at the grounds in Port Pirie, who has been nicknamed “Puff” (the magic dragon) and as you can see, he has made himself quite at home, and is very sociable and enjoys a chat whilst he is sun-baking. I can’t resist doing my Dr Doolittle bit, but Puff turns his head, and listens, just the same as the ponies and Wilbur. They all love being told that they are just the best and most beautiful equines in Port Pirie.

That’s all from Pirie for this week, will keep in touch with what we are doing, and seeing as I’m not quite fit enough to sidewalk or lead yet (broken ribs take a while to mend, especially when you’re old!!) I am relegated to office work – hey, someone has to do it, and so I guess it’s me at present. Best wishes to all, Skippy

Centre News from Skippy Flink

October 21, 2011

With the end of the school holidays drawing to a close, we are looking forward to once more greeting our clients and seeing how much they have grown - and also hearing all about their holiday stories.

Prior to the holidays, Solomontown Primary School held a "wheels" day, which entitled all the children (and possibly some adults) to bring along something with wheels, for example, bicycles, skate boards, roller skates, roller blades etc.

For this, a donation of a gold coin had to be made. It was decided that as so many of the children who attend Solomontown Primary School are clients of Riding for the Disabled Port Pirie, that the grand sum of all donations received be given to the RDA Port Pirie.

Mr Bill Rogers, President and his wife, Mrs Anne Rogers were invited along to receive the funds donated, and also to give a little talk to the attentive crowd of children and teachers who were most interested to hear what went on at our grounds. The total amount donated was $95.00, which I think was a fantastic job. Congratulations to Solomontown Primary School!

We continue to go down to the Port Pirie Markets, held every second Sunday of the month, down at the foreshore park. Mrs Anne Rogers donates her craft for sale, we take photos of children with our little Shetland, Piper, our "meet and greet" pony. We usually manage to raise approximately $50-$60 per morning. Thanks to our volunteers for their assistance and attendance.

On behalf of myself, I would like to thank all the RDA, both Adelaide and Port Pirie for their best wishes after my accident down the paddock, and their sympathy on the loss of my husband Barry Flink, who was a dedicated volunteer of RDA. He provided the music for our Open Days, and will be missed by all.

For those who didn't realise what a fall on solid ground can do to an old lady (I'm 67!!!), I managed to break five ribs, two of them in two places. My advice, if you decide to fall over in the paddocks, make sure that the ground is nice and muddy and soft!!!

By the way, the fall was entirely my own fault, certainly not poor old Wilbur who was standing close to me.

Bright lights shine on Port Pirie centre

June 30, 2011

RDA riders will be able to ride at twilight and into the evenings during hot summer months, due to two light towers recently installed and connected at the centre.

Work on installing lights onto the two towers, connecting the power, and erecting the towers was finished in June 2011, thanks to the skilled work of Port Pirie electricians MR Electrical Services, who also donated the towers.

The "Lights Project" was made possible by a grant of $17,000 from the Office of Recreation and Sport Active Club program.

Horse riding at RDA is often cancelled in summer due to hot weather restrictions imposed to protect the health of riders, volunteers and horses. But hot days are often followed by cool evenings, when outdoors activities can be conducted as long as there is sufficient light to permit safe riding.

The lights at the RDA centre have been designed to maximise light shining onto the riding arena, and also provides sufficient light outside to the tie-up, office and paddock areas.

RDA Port Pirie operates on Thursdays and Saturdays. With summer coming, the committee members are now able to plan for twilight/evening sessions on Thursdays.