The possibilities of rehabilitation and developmentally supportive work with the horse were presented through magnificent performances. Delegates from 12 nations came together and voted in favor of an international organization. The name was agreed: RDI = Riding for the Disabled International.
A preparatory executive board was voted in with Dorothee Ames (Can) as the president and Jane Wykeham Musgrave (GB) as the general secretary.
Jean Tebay (USA) offered to prepare an initial overview of the training courses for therapeutic riding available in the various countries. Octavia Brown (USA) wished to do the same for a collection of publications on Therapeutic Riding. Dorothee Ames (Can) took over the preparation for further developments for the VI. Congress in Toronto. Jane Wykeham-Musgrave (GB) took over, as a condition of the above, public duties and the collection of constitutional drafts from the national associations.
She managed to publish magnificent annual bulletins:
- Riding for the Disabled International’ in the first volume 1986 with a dedication by Princess Ann.
- The formation of Riding for the Disabled International is a landmark in the history of riding for the disabled….’.
- The contents included a first overview over the activities of the initial member countries, essays by Riede (D); Poulsson (N); Bieber (USA); Peacock (GB) and contact addresses.
The second volume from 1987 again was published in the same generous format in color, printed on glossy paper. It contained further reports from Holland, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany and Denmark.
It had been made possible through donations by the International Fund Sport for the Disabled; Hoechst Pharma (UK); RDA (GB).