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“People Who Help Need Help Themselves”

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Description: These images were taken for the June 25th 1978, edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper, the first of which was published.

An excerpt from the article read: “’Desperate’. That's the way the Palmerston North branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association describes its need for more ponies and helpers. For five years the branch has been helping disabled people, children especially, to ride horses. Not just children who can't walk or who have spinal problems But blind people. Emotionally and intellectually disabled people. Children whose legs won't function properly. Children who can't use their arms and bodies properly. The branch doesn't even have its own building or any of its own land but relies on the facilities of its members and friends. It doesn't have any regular income, and hasn't got enough ponies for the people - children especially - who want to ride them. But this year the branch has about 25 children wanting to ride, plus women in their 30's and 40's, who want to ride and improve their health.

"If anyone wants a good home for their old ponies, we’d be glad to have them” said a branch member, Mrs Pam Jamieson. "But we need good, quiet ponies." The branch has been offered free grazing to look after the animals. The branch now has only six ponies. Pony clubs from as far away as Ashhurst, Pahiatua and Feilding loan their own animals to help out. Mrs B. P. Wood, at the Cloverlea end of Tremaine Avenue, loans the branch the use of her paddock and other facilities, and the branch holds riding sessions for the disabled there every second Wednesday of the month. More sessions are held every second and fourth Sunday, and once a month there is a ‘fun’ day for the younger disabled riders at Mr and Mrs D. Black's Kairanga property, where five Shetland ponies are provided.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.