ADELINE Branigan, who died on September 23rd, 2024, was a member of Riding for the Disabled (RDAI) for more than 60 years.

Adeline was first and foremost a horse woman, who felt that people with disabilities had a right to ride, and to attain the highest standards.

She was a great teacher and was loved by those she taught. She pushed her riders to attain heights they never thought they could. She was a member of RDA when RDA Ireland was a region of RDA UK from the late 1960s and before RDAI broke away and became a stand-alone Irish charity in 1981.

Her husband Larry, who died during the Covid-19 pandemic, also became Treasurer of the new organisation. Between them, they wrote the first constitution of Riding for the Disabled Ireland, as an association with Irish charitable status.

She started as a coach and encouraged other equestrian coaches, who wished to help people with disabilities, to go for training courses in the UK. She, amongst others, saw the need for high standards of coaching, and she was ahead of her time with her forward thinking and positive attitude, always determined to improve the lives of those she cared about and helped.

She went on to help set up the Irish Para Equestrian Association and travelled internationally with the team as chef d’ equipe.

Helen Kearney, a member of Para Equestrian Ireland, writes: “Adeline helped me develop as a person and see that, while disability is not ideal, good things can come of it. I definitely owe Adeline a huge thank you, together with her late husband Larry. I won three medals in London 2012. Without her, I would not have reached the wonderful heights I have.”