About Us

Pony Riding for the Disabled Association (PRDA)

is a registered, non-profit organization based at the McIntyre Centre at Pinjarra Hills. It is affiliated with the NSW RDA, other independent QLD Centres and International Riding for Disabled Associations.

 

OUR SERVICES AND FACILITIES

The McIntyre Centre was established in 1964 and moved to the current site in 1973, it offers a variety of equine assisted development programs in a caring environment for young people and children with a disability.

OUR SERVICES

  • Horse riding for people with disabilities offered on a daily basis to around 170 children drawn from Special Schools and the community throughout the greater Brisbane area.
  • Community riding lessons for over 100 riders per week.
  • A Post School Options Service (PSOP) for young adults with a disability, combining horse management activities with general living skills as well as the pursuing of personal interests and goals.
  • The hosting of special equestrian events and horse riding camps for our young riders.
  • The Centre occupies a 40 acre facility and operates as the only full time Horse Riding Centre for people with disabilities in Brisbane. We operate Monday through Saturday, 48 weeks per year and cater for a client base of over 270 people.
Over 100 volunteers provide much needed assistance in delivering our programs. We have 40 horses available depending upon seasonal demand requirements and approximately 600 people visit the Centre each week.

PRDA was the first riding program in Australia for children with a disability and was founded by June and Peter McIntyre in 1964.  The McIntyre Centre has positioned itself in the therapy, training and development field based around its well established and respected horse riding programs for children with a disability.  Our primary goal is to help these young people reach their full potential. The McIntyre Centre has been the day-to-day service delivery arm of the Pony Riding for the Disabled Association (PRDA) for over 45 years, the key objectives of which are:

  • To further the use of horse riding in the rehabilitation of persons with a disability
  • To use riding as a form of therapy to help those with a disability
  • To stimulate improved control of body and mind through riding

Funding – Riding lessons are only possible with support from the community, service clubs and the corporate sector.  Funds are raised through fundraising events, sponsorship, donations, community riding lessons and our thrift stores in Oxley, Graceville, Goodna & Indooroopilly. A Government subsidy through the Department of Communities - Disability Services Queensland.

ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION

The McIntyre Centre is operated by Pony Riding for the Disabled Association, an Incorporated Association under the Religious, Educational & Charitable Institutions ACT, 1861-1959. Registered under the Collections ACT of 1966.

A Management Committee comprising members who are elected at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with our Constitution administers the Association.  The names of this Committee are listed at the Centre.