---
type: News Article
title: "Incredible Story Behind RDA Park Lane Teddington"
description: "'Where horses help people and people help horses': RDA chief executive Michael Bishop joined Saddlers at the award-winning RDA Park Lane Stables."
resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/news/charity/incredible-story-behind-rda-park-lane-teddington"
tags: [saddlers-news, saddlers-company, news, charity, incredible-story-behind-rda-park-lane-teddington]
published: "July 2025"
generated: { by: process:saddlers-site-build, at: 2026-10-20T15:16:16Z }
status: stable
sources:
  - id: page
    resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/news/charity/incredible-story-behind-rda-park-lane-teddington"
    title: "RDA Park Lane Teddington's Story | Saddlers' Company"
    author: "team:the-saddlers-company"
---
# Incredible Story Behind RDA Park Lane Teddington

Published July 2025.

Riding for the Disabled Chief Executive Michael Bishop met members of The Saddlers' Company at Natalie O'Rourke's RDA Park Lane Stables in Teddington, south London, an award-winning charity described as a place 'where horses help people and people help horses, always leaving happier than when they arrived'.[^page]

## Saved by the Local Community

Embedded at the heart of the local community, the stables faced being sold a couple of years ago, but crowdfunding by thousands of generous donors saved the day, and the centre has gone from strength to strength since. Today it offers a wide range of programmes and activities, including assisted riding, horse care, carriage driving, equine therapy and hippotherapy.

One carer of an RDA participant said: 'Can I just say once more what a difference the time at Park Lane Stables makes to M. For that time with you it is as though so many of his concerns are put on a back boiler and he can focus on just being with you, Hannah and the ponies. For that we are extremely grateful.'

## A Long-Standing Partnership

The Saddlers' Company Charitable Fund has supported the RDA and its work since its inception. Best wishes were extended to the staff, the thousands of volunteers and the participants at Park Lane Stables. Further information is available at parklanestables.co.uk/about.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who runs RDA Park Lane Stables in Teddington?

Natalie O'Rourke runs the award-winning stables, which offer assisted riding, horse care, carriage driving, equine therapy and hippotherapy.

### How has The Saddlers' Company supported the RDA?

The Saddlers' Company Charitable Fund has supported Riding for the Disabled since its inception, and Chief Executive Michael Bishop visited Park Lane Stables to meet Company members.

## Related concepts

- [Charity News from the Saddlers](/pages/news/charity.md)
- [Saddlers' Company Supports Three Important Projects to Help Enable Accessibility in the Equestrian Sector](/pages/news/charity/saddlers-company-supports-three-important-projects-to-help-enable-accessibility-in-the-equestrian-sector.md)
- [Members Call in to Blenheim to Check Up on Saddlers' Copse](/pages/news/charity/members-call-in-to-blenheim-to-check-up-on-saddlers-copse.md)
- [Saddlers Call in on Goldsmiths' Centre](/pages/news/charity/saddlers-call-in-on-goldsmiths-centre.md)

[^page]: RDA Park Lane Teddington's Story | Saddlers' Company, https://thesaddlers.org/news/charity/incredible-story-behind-rda-park-lane-teddington