Riding for the Disabled Barlavento (RDB) achieved success in the Special Olympics in Portugal.
In October 2024, three riders, Cristina Silva, Mateus Rias and Ricardo Menezies, were selected to represent the Algarve at the Special Olympics Portugal (Jogos de Portugal) held in Lisbon.
All riders were challenged. Cristina and Mateus needed to follow the judge’s instructions in the dressage events, and Ricardo needed to remember the sequences of the obstacles he had to manoeuvre around. In addition to these challenges, the riders were on horses they were not familiar with.
However, with the dedicated guidance from Riding for the Disabled Barlavento instructor Sue Wilson, all three riders were up to the challenges and competition they faced from approximately 38 athletes from 11 different groups from the rest of Portugal. All three riders put in a great deal of effort, and their dedication and focus earned them medals.
In July 2023, Cristina Silva, who was trained by Sue Wilson, was one of four riders selected from across the country to represent Portugal at the Special Olympics World Games held in Berlin. She was on unfamiliar horses for her events but overcame the challenge and won a gold and silver for Portugal.
Algarve 41 Club continues to support Riding for the Disabled Barlavento, Bensafrim, Lagos and recently presented them with a donation of €1,000. The presentation was made by the current chairman, Barry Gordon. Riding for the disabled was started 16 years ago by Frank Bulmer, a past chairman of Algarve 41 Club, and is totally dependent on donations from many different sources.
As well as helping disabled riders to experience activities not normally available to them, there is also a competitive element that allows them to participate in specially designed competitions at a level to suit their abilities and ambitions.
Riding for the Disabled Barlavento hold three sessions per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and can accommodate multiple riders per session. Most riders require three helpers – horse leader and two side walkers – so volunteers are very welcome and, if willing to offer their services, will be given full training. Each session is conducted by a fully qualified instructor.
For more information on the club’s activities, contact the secretary at mike.trice46@gmail.com
www.riding4disabled.com/en/contact-rdb
NOTE If you are a resident of the Algarve, own property here, or are an ex-Round Tabler or a 41 Club member in the UK who frequently holidays in the Algarve, come and visit the Algarve 41 Club at one (or both) of our monthly meetings.
Main image:
Portugal Special Olympics
Mateus Rias – B Level Dressage – BRONZE (3rd)
Ricardo Menezies – CS Level Working Trial – GOLD (1st)
Cristina Silva – C Level Dressage – BRONZE (3rd )
