Volunteer Information
Cambridge RDA is run entirely by volunteers. We are often looking for like-minded, dedicated people to give us a helping hand.
Please contact us to check if there are any vacancies either for our Saturday or Thursday session, or if you can help in any other way.
What sorts of things can I do to help?
You can be involved in lots of different activities, depending on your experience and what you like to do:
- Groom, tack up and warm up the horses before the riders arrive.
- Lead and sidewalk the horses during riding sessions.
- Help with unmounted activities.
- Assist the riders with their helmets and check riding clothing.
- Help with morning tea and refreshments.
- Join our roster to feed our horses.
- Maintenance of our arena and grounds.
- Fundraising.
- Organise events and activities.
See our latest news and photo gallery for some of the things we have been up to.
Do I need experience with horses?
Our volunteers come from varied backgrounds, from little or no experience with horses, to owning their own and competing.
We provide on-going, on-the-job training. We also offer volunteer training courses which cover skills from preparing the horses for riding, to sidewalking and assisting during riding sessions. See our helpful tips for RDA volunteers.
Training options are also available for volunteers over the age of 18 who wish to become a fully qualified RDA coach or assistant coach. The NZRDA website has more information here.
Otherwise, there are many other areas where you can help.
What is leading and sidewalking?
During a riding session, the leader's responsibility is to lead and look after the horse. Sidewalkers look after the rider, and make them feel safe, supported and encouraged. See our helpful tips for RDA volunteers for more information.
When are the riding sessions?
Riding sessions are every Thursday from 10am to 1.30pm, and every second Saturday from 9am to midday during the school term. See our what's on calendar for dates. Volunteers start an hour before the session to groom, tack and warm up the horses. If you are only available for an hour or two on an RDA morning, that's fine as well. We have some classes that require more volunteers than others and welcome the extra help for those times. If you aren’t available on riding days, we still have lots of ways you can help out.
How old do I need to be?
Anyone over the age of 14 can become an RDA volunteer.
How do I apply to volunteer?
Please contact us to find out if we are currently seeking new volunteers.
Download our volunteer application form (pdf).
If you are over 18, you will also need to download the background check form (pdf).
- See our contact information for our email or postal addresses.
