Tauranga teen Chloe Moore's life transformed at Riding For Disabled Centre

Katikati teenager Chloe Moore.

Katikati teenager Chloe Moore has been riding horses at Tauranga Riding For the Disabled Therapy Centre for more than a decade

The 15-year-old Year 11 Katikati College student, who has cerebral palsy, said she first began therapy sessions at the RDA centre when she was 3 or 4.

Today her riding skills have progressed to the stage where she now undertakes a sport and recreation programme and rides at the RDA centre every Saturday.

"It's fantastic to be more independent and I especially love riding the bigger horses. I have surprised even myself with some of the riding skills I can manage to do, including rising to the trot [off the lead rein] and going over some of the little jumps," Chloe said.

"It was a goal I was determined to achieve and after each lesson, I go home feeling like I have had a hard workout but I feel really great at the same time," she said.

Angela Moore said Chloe was fearless.

"While Chloe still needs a wheelchair, her riding skills have progressed to a point where she only needs one leader, and her confidence has grown in leaps and bounds," she said.

Moore said the sports and recreation programme had helped to improve Chloe's mobility and the riding exercises helped to keep her limbs and more supple.

The volunteers at the RDA are absolutely amazing, and being involved with the centre has been life-changing for Chloe and our family."