Richmond Therapeutic Riding Association
Richmond, British Columbia
Richmond Therapeutic Riding Association (RTRA) is a nonprofit society in Richmond, BC. It offers therapeutic riding for people, primarily children and youth, with disabilities, which can include physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities. The program is based on No. 3 Road in Richmond.
- Semi-private therapeutic riding lessons (30 minutes)
- Fall, winter, spring and summer sessions
- Spring break camp
- Summer pony camp
- Free rider assessment
- Children and youth with disabilities
- People with physical disabilities
- People with learning disabilities
- People with mental and emotional disabilities
More about this center
About the Program
Lessons follow the school year, with a fall session (September to December), winter session (January to March), spring session (March to June) and a July summer session. Sessions run 9 to 12 weeks. All lessons are semi-private and 30 minutes long, riders are paired by ability and needs where possible, and each rider keeps the same weekly time slot for the whole session.
Lessons run Monday to Thursday in morning and afternoon blocks. A one-week spring break camp runs in March.
The Summer Pony Camp runs Monday to Thursday over two weeks in August and is open to children and youth ages 4 to 18 as well as current riders. Campers choose a morning (10:00 am to 1:00 pm) or afternoon (2:00 pm to 5:00 pm) session, with riding lessons, arts and crafts and stable management. Camp is $375 per week, per camper.
Getting Started
Families request an application from RTRA and return it with a Physician's Referral form. The Program Director reviews it and, if riding is a good fit, contacts the family to book a free assessment of suitability, equipment and goals.
Lessons are $55 each, multiplied by the length of the session, plus a $40 annual membership renewed each September. The association says rider fees cover about 18.5% of the yearly cost per child, with fundraising covering the rest, and families are expected to help with fundraising. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
The Horses and Staff
The herd has four horses: Copper, a Haflinger gelding; Emma, a Fjord Clydesdale mare; Akira, a Norwegian Fjord mare; and Scarlett, a grey pony mare. Executive Director Alyssa Bigiolli is a CanTRA Senior Instructor and has been with the program since 2013. The staff also includes instructor Joan Simmons and volunteer coordinator Rachel Kirkpatrick, both CanTRA Intermediate certified.
History and Volunteering
The society was founded in 1995 by Richmond residents and the Richmond Committee On Disability, working with the City of Richmond's Special Needs Section, which had identified the need for a therapeutic riding program. It was incorporated and registered as a charity that year. Riding began in May 1996 at Riverside Equestrian Centre under a CanTRA Certified Instructor, and the program moved to Twin Oaks Farm on No. 3 Road in fall 2001.
Volunteers must be at least 16. New volunteers attend a one-hour orientation, usually held the first Thursday of each month, start as side walkers, and complete a criminal background check. Contact volunteer@richmondtherapeuticriding.com or call 604-241-7837 to register.
Location
The association's address is 13671 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V7A 1X7. Call 604-241-7837 or email info@richmondtherapeuticriding.com.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I enroll my child?
Request an application from RTRA and submit it with a Physician's Referral form.
How much do lessons cost?
Lessons are $55 each, plus a $40 annual membership. Call 604-241-7837 for current rates.
What ages can attend summer camp?
Summer Pony Camp is open to children and youth ages 4 to 18 and to current riders. Register by emailing program@richmondtherapeuticriding.com; spaces are limited.
Location
Richmond, British Columbia V7A 1X7
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.