EVER since it started, participants in Ballarat\u2019s Riding for the Disabled program have been able to count on one thing, using horses provided by Marie and Bill Rinaldi.<\/p>\n
The husband and wife team behind Warrenheip based Rinaldi W & M riding school have been donating the use of their horses to RDA Ballarat, free of charge, since 1977.<\/p>\n
That generous and altruistic gift that\u2019s so integral to the Riding for the Disabled program, along with the Rinaldi\u2019s ongoing support for the equine sector in the region, is why they have both been awarded Medals in the Order of Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just shocked and amazed, and when it cooled down I thought this is a bit of an honour,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBill and I have been married 50 years this October. Bill\u2019s really the mainstay of Riding for the Disabled, but we do everything together with the horses, so I supposed that\u2019s why they put me down too!\u201d<\/p>\n
Every time Riding for the Disabled Ballarat holds events, Bill loads up his transport and takes the horses to where they need to be.<\/p>\n
At the start it was all over the district including Bray Raceway, Ballarat Showgrounds and Mitchell Park. Now, more often than not it\u2019s to the RDA\u2019s dedicated Mount Rowan facility.<\/p>\n
All that means a huge commitment of time and resources for the Rinaldi\u2019s, but their motivation is simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just like seeing kids happy,\u201d Bill said. \u201cA lot of kids aren\u2019t happy today. So this is an outlet for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ones that go to Riding for the Disabled, they love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill\u2019s father started the riding school in 1960, from there he and Marie have taken over and grown with the business as times have changed.<\/p>\n
At the heart of everything they do is a love of the animals and they pass that onto those who become involved with the school.<\/p>\n
The school has been a starting point for many people\u2019s journey with horses and a number of former students have gone onto roles within the equestrian or thoroughbred racing sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just happens,\u201d Marie said. \u201cIf the love\u2019s there and they can get the jobs doing it, they\u2019ll do well.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EVER since it started, participants in Ballarat\u2019s Riding for the Disabled program have been able to count on one thing, using horses provided by Marie and Bill Rinaldi. The husband and wife team behind Warrenheip based Rinaldi W & M riding school have been donating the use of their horses to RDA Ballarat, free of […]<\/p>\n