A new partnership between RDA and Power of Polo launched with a day of riding and connection at a London urban stable
Young people from two charities came together at one of London’s few remaining urban stables for a day centred on connection, confidence-building and shared experiences through horses.
The event marked the beginning of a wider three-part exchange designed to explore the impact horses can have in bringing people together and helping young people build confidence, self-belief, aspiration and meaningful connections across very different environments and life experiences.
Participants from Power of Polo and The Diamond Centre RDA spent the day riding, caring for horses, meeting new people and sharing stories in a welcoming and supportive environment. RDA, headquartered in Shrewley, Warwickshire, is a UK-wide charity working with disabled people and those with long-term conditions to improve health, wellbeing and life opportunities through access to horses, while Power of Polo is a grassroots charity using polo as a tool for social impact with young people facing social, economic and health challenges.
For many of those involved, the effects of equine activity stretch far beyond a single day. Josiah, a rider and volunteer from Park Lane Stables RDA who has been diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia, said the support he has found through horses has been life-changing.
“At Park Lane, I’m not separated or treated differently. I’m just a rider and part of a team. The horses help me feel calm, confident and understood, and being here has completely changed how I see myself and what I believe I can achieve.”
Since joining RDA, Josiah has gone on to compete in regional and national competitions, volunteer at the stables and take part in wider equestrian programmes and leadership opportunities.
Kaira, who first joined Power of Polo in 2023, described how being around horses helped her to overcome anxiety and develop a confidence she never thought possible. Now a Power of Polo Youth Ambassador, she has represented the charity publicly at major equestrian events.
“Before Power of Polo I would never have imagined speaking publicly or meeting new people with confidence. Horses gave me something to believe in and helped me realise I’m capable of far more than I thought.”
A sense of calm, belonging and possibility
Fellow Power of Polo participant Micah said horses had given him “peace” and “a new perspective on life”, adding that the programme had helped him build confidence, new opportunities and aspirations for the future. Participants from The Diamond Centre RDA reflected similar sentiments. Toby, who began riding four years ago after physiotherapy was recommended to help develop his core strength, said the experience had transformed his life entirely.
Toby now volunteers at the centre and hopes to study and work in an equine-related field in the future. Maz, a coach at The Diamond Centre RDA, said the event at Park Lane Stables in May highlighted the unique power horses have to bring people together.
“It was incredible to watch young people who had never met before connecting so naturally through the horses. The day showed just how powerful shared equine experiences can be in building confidence, communication and genuine human connection.”
The collaboration between RDA and Power of Polo will continue over the coming months, taking participants through a range of equine experiences on a structured three-part journey, from urban stables to elite polo and national inclusive competition. The next stage of the exchange takes place on 19 June at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, where RDA participants will attend the annual Change Your Line Cup charity tournament hosted by Power of Polo.
