RDA Magazine Spring 2016

SPRING 2016

The official magazine of Riding for the Disabled Association

The power of SILENCE

RDA Magazine takes a look at sensory rides

PLUS+ RIDING

DRIVING

RDA UK Trustee Emma Wells explains RDA’s focus on participation

COMPETITIONS

Volunteering as a central theme: Sports England’s new strategy

EDUCATION

THERAPY

MOUNT PLEASANT RDA QUEST RDA

KAITLYN FROM MORPETH RDA

EXETER RDA

EXETER RDA

Thanks to the generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery many RDA Groups have seen their projects change from dream to reality! For example: • Fourteen RDA Groups have received support including a new riding arena for Mount Pleasant Group who can now ride during the winter months • Over 250 participants benefited from travel awards which enabled them to compete at the RDA National Championships, the largest event of its kind in the world. Participants including Kaitlyn from the Morpeth Group • Over 120 groups have received 2,500 subsidised new riding hats, including Exeter Group and Quest Group •

A grand total of £800,000 has been raised for RDA by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Thank You! Visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk to find out more Not available in Northern Ireland. People’s Postcode Lottery manages multiple society lotteries promoted by different charities supporting a range of good causes. For details of which society lottery is running each week visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/society

Message from the Editor

WOW – WHAT A GREAT RESPONSE TO OUR FIRST ISSUE. THANK YOU! FROM RIDERS AND CARRIAGE DRIVERS TO THE VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS – it seems you all found something that you liked.

I’m proud to be part of the RDA team that will continue to live up to the promise of our premier issue – to inform, engage and inspire you.

This April issue you’re holding in your hands (or reading onscreen), is packed with more fascinating stories about disability sport and equestrianism, and how so many people are selflessly striving to continuously improve the lives of thousands of people.

For example, Emma Wells shares how the RDA’s Participant Committee is having quite an impact (page 18), making riders, drivers and vaulters central to RDA life.

Vet Nathalie Cole explains the best way to keep your horse at its optimum weight (page 14), and includes a handy Right Weight Fat Score chart.

Where does your horse fit on the scale?

And in a joyful mood, Caroline Ward describes (page 10) her first-hand experience of the beneficial power of peacefulness.

Finally, Phil Smith (Director of Sport, Sport England) explains how a new government strategy is focused on increasing meaningful involvement in physical activity (page 21).

And, of course, all the regional updates, and news from around the UK. Thank you again for all your enthusiastic support – and remember to subscribe (at no cost) to ensure you get all future issues of your informationpacked RDA Magazine.

Ffion Llwyd-Jones Editor of RDA Magazine ffion@rda.org.uk

ABOUT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving (RDA) is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through the provision of horse riding, carriage driving, showjumping and vaulting.

Through a network of 500 volunteer groups throughout the UK, RDA provides opportunities for therapy, achievement and enjoyment, improving health, well-being and self confidence, and benefiting mobility and co-ordination. RDA is reliant on voluntary help, donations and legacies to deliver its services. Please donate now at rda.org.uk.

FFION LEARNED TO RIDE HORSES, FELL IN LOVE WITH HER FIRST DOG, AND STARTED PLAYING WITH WORDS AS SHE WAS GROWING UP ON ANGLESEY. THE START OF A LIFELONG PASSION FOR HORSES, DOGS, PEOPLE, AND WRITING!

RDA is a charity registered in England and Wales (No: 244108) and Scotland (No: SC039473)

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RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING A UK COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO 5010395. A CHARITY REGISTERED IN ENGLAND & WALES (NO 244108) AND SCOTLAND (NO SC039473)

The official magazine of Riding for the Disabled Association

t: +44 (0) 1926 492915 e: info@rda.org.uk www.rda.org.uk RDA MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Satisfaction House, Unit C, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 9QJ www.matrixprint.com EDITOR Ffion Llwyd-Jones e: ffion@rda.org.uk DEPUTY EDITOR Caroline Ward e: cward@rda.org.uk ART DIRECTOR Rick Fraterrigo e: rick@matrixprint.com ADVERTISING SALES Andy Etherton e: aetherton@rda.co.uk.com EDITORIAL BOARD Ed Bracher Chief Executive, RDA UK Sam Orde Chairman, RDA UK Sal Atkinson Fundraising Manager, RDA UK Sue Adams-Wheeler Chairman of Coaching Committee, RDA UK Jess Cook National Partnership Advisor, English Federation of Disability Sport While every care is taken in compiling this issue of RDA magazine including manuscripts and photographs submitted, we accept no responsibility for any losses or damage, whatever the cause. All information and prices contained in advertisements are accepted by the publishers in good faith as being correct at the time of going to press. Neither the advertisers nor the publishers accept any responsibility for any variations affecting price variations or availability after the publication has gone to press. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the permission of the publisher, to whom application must first be made. The views expressed by contributors to RDA magazine are not necessarily those of the RDA, the publisher or its editor. ©2016 The Riding for the Disabled Association.

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Material for consideration in this section of the magazine should be submitted via email or digital file transfer to the editor. Submissions should be made on the understanding that the Riding for the Disabled Association has the right to use the material in any part of the magazine and any of its other publications, promotions or website, free from any copyright restrictions, or appearance fees other than the issue of artistic and photographic credits where applicable.

Please include name of RDA group, photographer, riders and volunteers.

06 NEWS Beckham, Lifelines, Meade, and more

10 THE POWER OF SILENCE Making the world easier to understand: Sensory Rides

14 FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD COVER IMAGE: THE SENSORY ELEMENT IS... LISTENING, FEELING, EXPERIENCING AND BREATHING. TURN TO PAGE 10 TO FIND OUT MORE.

Avoiding horse obesity, with Nathalie Cole, experienced equine vet

18 PUTTING PARTICIPANTS FIRST Emma Wells explains how RDA is giving a voice to all participants.

Don’t forget to have your say. Share your rides, experiences and comments by going online...

21 MAKING SPORT MATTER Q&A with Sport England’s Director of Sport, Phil Smith

24 REGIONAL ROUND-UP Who, what and where...

34 WHAT’S GOING ON Your essential guide to this year’s events

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RDA national news

nationalnews driving equestrian growth

CLARE SALMON IS THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BRITISH EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION (BEF) the

national governing body for equestrian sports in Great Britain, representing nineteen member organisations and over four million riders.

An experienced commercial head, Clare joins the BEF having previously worked at Royal London where she was Group Brand Director and successfully led a high-profile rebrand. Prior to this, she held global, board-level posts at ITV, Royal & Sun Alliance, Prudential and the AA. Clare will arrive at the BEF in June, after the retirement of current chief executive Andrew Finding following his exceptional seventeen-year tenure.

Under Andrew’s guidance, together with the BEF board, executives and member organisations, British equestrianism has achieved remarkable success and continues to thrive both at home and internationally.

On her appointment, Clare remarked: ‘It is a great privilege to take on the leadership of the BEF, given the international stature and achievements of the organisation – a legacy owing much to the determined and tenacious efforts of Andrew Finding. Equestrianism plays a unique role in the British psyche, attracting diverse audiences and capturing the imagination of a range of

participants and spectators. Sustaining this legacy, and building on it, will be a compelling challenge. As a committed sportsperson and a passionate equestrian, I am honoured to have the opportunity to use my commercial and leadership skills to drive the next stage of equestrian growth in Great Britain.’

Keith Taylor, Chairman of BEF, said: ‘As Andrew Finding retires, my Board and I are delighted to welcome Clare Salmon as his successor. She brings a depth of commercial experience. She has a deep passion for the horse and knows what it takes to be a high-performance athlete. Clare embodies our values of professionalism, performance, passion and partnership; we extend a very warm welcome to her.’

Clare will guide the BEF, and its new-look executive team, as it seeks to uphold its enviable record at Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio, and looks forward to a promising future as it strives to engage and excite new and particularly younger audiences with equestrian sports.

hampshire’s helping hand WINDMILL-BOLDRE RDA GROUP in Hampshire

is celebrating the arrival of a specially made mounting block, designed and built by Land Rover apprentices.

To mark the successful delivery and first use of the block, Land Rover Ambassador and eventing star Harry Meade joined the team of apprentices and other representatives from Land Rover in a very special afternoon for the RDA group’s riders and volunteers.

Harry spent more than an hour talking to riders and volunteers, and helped get the group’s ponies used to the new block. He also met rider Keeley, who was the catalyst for the project, needing a taller block than the group’s existing one in order to continue her riding.

The mounting block project was a joint initiative between Land Rover and Remap, a charity that custom-makes equipment for disabled people. For more information on

Remap’s specially made equipment, contact the company’s Chief Executive Adam Rowe: a.rowe@remap.org.uk

ABOVE: HARRY MEADE, LAND ROVER AMBASSADOR, WITH KEELEY, AND JLR APPRENTICES.

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RDA national news

EDUCATION IN RDA

New competition

FOR RDA RIDERS

SEIB INSURANCE BROKERS IS WORKING WITH RDA TO DEVELOP A NEW SERIES OF SHOWING CLASSES WITH THE POTENTIAL OF A HIGH-PROFILE FINALE. AS INSTIGATORS OF THE PIONEERING SEIB SEARCH FOR A STAR AND SEIB RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE SERIES, SEIB INSURANCE BROKERS IS KNOWN FOR SUPPORTING GRASS-ROOTS RIDERS AND VISIONARY INITIATIVES TO INTRODUCE NICHE CLASSES TO MEET GROWING DEMAND. NICOLINA MACKENZIE, SEIB INSURANCE BROKERS’ MARKETING MANAGER, SAID: ‘THERE IS NO REASON WHY AN RDA HORSE OR PONY CANNOT BE TURNED OUT BEAUTIFULLY FOR THE SHOW RING, AND THE CLASS WILL ALLOW RIDERS TO FEEL THE SENSE OF PRIDE AND ACHIEVEMENT OF ANY RIDER IN THE SHOW RING.’ THE SEIB RDA SHOWING SERIES WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RIDERS WITH A DISABILITY TO FOLLOW THEIR PASSION FOR SHOWING, AS WELL AS OPENING ANOTHER AVENUE TO COMPETE AND PROVIDE A NEW CHALLENGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHOWING OPPORTUNITIES AT RDA, CONTACT SARAH HADLEY AT NATIONAL OFFICE: SHADLEY@RDA.ORG.UK

birthday partnership RDA UK will be The Trefoil

Guild’s charity partner when the Guild celebrates its 75th year in 2018.

The Trefoil Guild (a branch of Girlguiding), has more than 20,000 members, and its four objectives are: have fun, find friendship, get active and get involved.

‘In 2018, we will celebrate our 75th birthday, and are

TREFOIL GUILD GAMES.

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delighted that during that year we will be working in partnership with RDA UK to raise awareness and fundraise,’ said Pat Downer, National Chairman, The Trefoil Guild.

‘This is a great opportunity for RDA, and we are very much looking forward to working with The Trefoil Guild during their special

anniversary year,’ said Sal Atkinson, Fundraising Manager, RDA UK. ‘Our organisations share very similar aims, and we are already starting to draft plans for activities and events. It’s going to be a busy and fun-packed 12 months, and we really appreciate their support.’

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TREFOILGUILD.CO.UK

LEARNING THROUGH HORSES ...learning for life Recognising and rewarding achievement

EDUCATION IN RDA

life resource

RDA activities are being increasingly recognised for their educational and learning opportunities, and now a new resource has been produced to help explain this side of our work to volunteers and schools.

‘Learning through horses, learning for life’ is available now, free of charge. To find out more, or to receive copies for your group or local schools, contact Marisa Bretherton-Mackay: marisa@rda.org.uk

best foot forward RDA riders and volunteers at Wormwood Scrubs RDA in London were delighted when sporting superstar David Beckham made a surprise visit.

The centre was already having a fairly unusual day, hosting visits from Princess Anne and Martin Clunes, when David and his daughter Harper dropped by to say hello. David met RDA and Pony Club riders, as well as volunteers and supporters, and had his picture taken with Pony Club mascot Pete the Pony.

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RDA national news

CLARE BALDING

nominate

NOW!

Nominations are now open for the RDA Gala Awards. The categories are:

ABOVE: ‘NOT TOO FAST, PLEASE!’ ELIZABETH TRUSS, MP MAKES THIS CLEAR TO RDA WHIP KAREN BLACK, DEPUTY YARD MANAGER, MAGPIE CENTRE. BACKSTEPPER IS YARD MANAGER NATALIE DADE.

magpie’s gator appeal STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE MAGPIE CENTRE, HOME OF WEST NORFOLK RDA,

were delighted to receive a visit in February from Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk. As part of her fact-finding visit, Ms Truss watched a riding lesson before enjoying a drive around Wallington Hall estate in the Centre’s new, bespoke wheelchair-accessible carriage, and also lent her support to the ‘Gator Appeal’.

A Gator is a 4 x 4 work utility vehicle, essential for various tasks, including: following behind the horse and carriage for Health and Safety reasons; distributing hay to ponies in outlying paddocks; pasture maintenance; and transporting equipment.

The existing vehicle, having completed twice the amount of work hours for which

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it was designed, is now beyond repair.

John Deere dealers Doubleday of Kings Lynn kindly offered a replacement at the cost price of £9,000 and loaned a vehicle to cover the interim. But funds are urgently needed.

Ms Truss was very happy with the visit: ‘It was fantastic to meet the staff, volunteers, riders/drivers and, of course, the wonderful horses at the Magpie Centre.

The enthusiasm by all those involved with Riding for the Disabled is clear to see, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to join in on a carriage ride round the grounds. Organisations like this can only exist with continued fundraising activities; the Gator will provide much-needed backup support for drivers, and I very much look forward to seeing the new vehicle in action.’

Brilliant Idea Business Partnership Most Improved Participant Vet of the Year Horse or Pony of the Year Young Volunteer Award We are thrilled to confirm that Clare Balding, returned from commentating at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, will once again present the RDA awards and share our evening of celebration during this special year.

The 2016 RDA Gala Awards will take place on Wednesday, 28 September at the magnificent Drapers’ Hall, London.

More information, and nomination forms available from the RDA website or jabrahams@ rda.org.uk ETS, LA TICK FOR GA INSON K T SAL A T C K A T N CO A.ORG.U ON@RD S IN K T A S

RDA national news

online success for DBS checks

RDA GROUPS IN ENGLAND AND WALES have been taking up the opportunity to complete DBS applications online. Finding it easier and quicker than the paper alternative, Cotswold RDA group has notched up an impressive 75 online DBS applications since the system went ‘digital’ last Autumn. In total, more than 100 Groups have registered for DBS checks online.

‘We are delighted by the number of groups who have decided to use the online system,’ said Laura Cartwright, Activities Coordinator at RDA UK. ‘Disclosure checks are such an important part of safeguarding, and this tool has helped to make the process that little bit easier for our groups.’

Here are Laura’s top tips for completing the online application: Have all information ready because you need to finish your application in one go. You’ll need the dates of any name or address changes and full address history going back five years.

Have the ID you showed to your ID checker – you will be asked for reference numbers, ‘valid from’ dates etc. (Note: when asked for the ‘valid from’ and ‘until’ dates of your driving license photocard, use the dates printed on section 4a and 4b on the card.)

Don’t miss the tick box stating if the role is voluntary or paid.

Use your full name (including middle names) each time you are asked for it.

Find out from your group how to pay for the service, so you know what to do when asked for payment.

To register your group for online applications, email Laura at lcartwright@rda.org.uk

lifeline appeal hits 22K RDA’s recent BBC Lifeline Appeal, which first aired on 17 January, has raised over £22,000 for the charity.

The Appeal was presented by television and radio presenter Anneka Rice, and featured five-year-old RDA rider Amy, and paralympian Sophie Christiansen. Both rider stories illustrated the transformative effect of horse riding, and why donations are important in enabling the charity to help more people.

Anneka Rice explained her involvement with the charity and why she was so keen to front the Appeal: ‘I first became aware of RDA when I helped to build an indoor riding

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school for one of the charity’s groups, in London, 21 years ago as part of the programme Challenge Anneka.

I was privileged to meet some of the amazing riders, volunteers and horses, and to understand the lasting difference riding can make.

‘For the children and adults I have spoken to, RDA is an incredibly special place, where friendships are made, where no one is treated differently and where disability fades into the background. That’s why I was so proud to support this Lifeline Appeal and help many more disabled people find out what they can achieve.’

MISSED THE PROGRAMME? YOU CAN WATCH IT NOW THROUGH THE RDA HOMEPAGE RDA.ORG.UK

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Sensory rides

With sensory rides growing in popularity, we visited Wilton RDA in Wiltshire to find out how they are using the power of peacefulness to benefit riders.

On arrival at Wilton there is the joyful and welcoming hubbub of an RDA group in full swing: chatting, excited children, ponies.

Like many RDA groups, a white board shows today’s rides; names of riders and ponies; who is volunteering with which rider, and which Coach will be in charge. But the 10:30 ride is also marked as ‘sensory’.

‘It’s not something we do all the time,’ explains Claire Hacker, RDA Group Coach and County Coach for Wiltshire. ‘It’s important the volunteers are briefed it’s a sensory ride, and know what’s expected of them.’

A minibus arrives with local schoolchildren ready for their ride. As the lesson approaches, the atmosphere in the indoor arena changes. Coach Claire reminds the volunteers the next ride is sensory, and there is almost total silence as the ponies are brought in. Riders enter into the peaceful indoor space, hats are fitted and they are helped on to ponies, with minimum noise. When everyone is mounted, the lesson begins.

NATURAL EXPERIENCE The importance of sensory learning and experience for children with special educational needs – particularly autism

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– is now widely understood, and many RDA groups have built sensory elements into the riding environment. Multi-sensory experiences tap into the creativity and resourcefulness that RDA groups have in abundance, and there are rich and diverse stimulating trails, gardens and paths springing up at groups all around the UK. Some use a trail of different elements such as post boxes, toys, mirrors to create an engaging and stimulating environment for riders. Others use specific planting designed to create a natural sensory experience to encourage smell, touch, sight and hearing.

At Wilton, the sensory experience is slightly different, using the power of silence to tune in to rider needs and horse movement.

The sensory element is a stripping away of extraneous noise, conversation and instruction, replacing it with listening, feeling, experiencing and breathing.

‘Many of our riders have a lot going on within themselves,’ explains Claire. ‘Often, they are dealing with their own internal dialogue; in the past we’ve tried to interrupt that with our own noise: talking, distracting, giving instructions, asking questions.

The result is more noise and more distraction for the rider. It’s confusing for the horses, too. Our sensory ride offers a total escape from that.’

The creation of multi-sensory experiences taps into the creativity and resourcefulness that RDA groups have in abundance.

FEELING THE POWER Central to the spirit of Wilton – and the sensory ride in particular – is tuning in to the horses’ movement, letting them do their job and creating the best environment for riders to benefit and learn.

Claire and the team began delivering their sensory ride about five years ago, in response to one particular group of children – and one particular rider: Leon.

‘He was so manic, and often arrived here in tears,’ she explained. ‘Combined with the noise of the other children, the atmosphere was quite hectic. I could feel my own energy levels rising and

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Sensory rides

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International coaching

we weren’t achieving anything. So I said: “Right everyone, let’s be quiet.”

‘That first day, we all felt the power immediately,’ she continues. “There was talking to begin with, and the riders took time to settle, but then the work of the horses took over and everyone started to tune in to the rhythm and movement beneath them. We went out to the woods, into fresh air and trees, and the children could point at things or listen to the horses’ hooves; they went into a quiet world. We all talked about it afterwards and everyone who had helped in that session felt something special.’

FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING Claire is gesticulating her instructions, whispering when she needs to say something, and the 10:30 ride quietly files into the sunshine. The positive impact on the riders is immediate and Kaiden, usually quite distracted, says, ‘It’s all quiet here. Nice.’

Sensory experiences stimulate and teach the brain how to process, categorise and store information about the world around us. Sensory processing is a fundamental tool for learning and development, and where the senses don’t work together as they should, children can struggle in a whole host of areas. Sensory environments are designed to help improve the way the brain processes external information – creating a much stronger foundation for learning.

‘The silence makes them look around,’ says Claire. ‘They want to know what’s going to happen next. They look at me to see what I am going to say. They point at things they see. They listen to their ponies and feel the movement.’

By taking away the extraneous noise, Wilton’s riders are encouraged to become more receptive to what their ponies are doing, what they themselves are doing and connecting the two together. Importantly, the quiet created by the sensory ride is not about making the children behave, it’s about creating an appropriate environment for learning for children who find it difficult to learn in other ways.

‘The quiet ride isn’t for everyone,’ says Claire. ‘Many riders respond better to a lively, noisy welcome, lots of questions, even singing – and that’s what we give them.’

FOCUS ON NOW One of the surprising things about being involved in a deliberately quiet, peaceful ride is the level of energy, engagement and focus among everyone involved. This is not a time to switch off, to plod along and have a bit of a rest. Everyone is giving their maximum energy and concentration to the experience.

‘It isn’t easy to ask people to be quiet,’ says Claire. ‘But because we talk about it beforehand, and we all understand what we are trying to achieve – and because we don’t do it all the time – there is total commitment during the session.’

Volunteers know that, ideally, it should just be Claire doing the talking, and if necessary just one side walker.

Claire always asks for feed back at the end: tell me what you thought? How did your rider respond to the silence? Could we do anything differently next time?

‘It’s the same with the RDA Tracker, which we use here. Just by tuning everyone in to what we are expecting them to do, and the things they need to be looking for, makes everyone more alert.

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It means we can focus on the rider and their needs rather than what can become the overwhelming ‘noise’ of running a group.’

Claire encourages her sidewalkers to concentrate on the movement of the pony beside them and to get in step with them.

‘It just keeps your focus on the moment that you are all having together. You can create a very powerful connectivity between all those involved. We can’t always do it. But we try!’

ENTHUSIASTIC ENERGY The ethos of Wilton RDA has grown up around its founder, Pat Burgess, and her mantra: love, joy and enthusiasm. ‘That’s the spirit she has created,’ says Claire. ‘She believes that if you bring enthusiasm to something, it generates its own energy – like a magnet for people to want to join in. The enjoyment of being on a horse, the achievement of riding and the welcoming attitude: it all starts from Pat.’ The site was a chalky blank canvas when the group built their home there 41 years ago. Now, many years later, the outdoor space is awash with plants to see, smell and even taste (there’s a bed of wild strawberries), completing the initial vision of a welcoming environment for riders and volunteers. As the ride weaves up into the little woods, there is plenty to delight the senses. In the middle of the woods, Pat created a magic circle, a ring of tree stumps in a clearing that becomes a natural focus for the ride to stop, to breathe in what she would call ‘good oxygen’, and to take in the beauty all around.

One of the group’s volunteers, helping out in the garden, described how he wanted riders to feel coming to Wilton: ‘To be surrounded by green and colour, fresh air and the birds. It should be a great thing to look forward to. It should be a holiday.’

And, for the children on the sensory ride it certainly feels like a break: a pause from the sensory distractions that can make the world so difficult to understand, and a chance to focus on the moment, the fresh air and the movement of the horse.

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Horse Welfare

F O R T H E LOV E O F

Natalie Cole, RDA National Championship Vet, explains horse digestion, suggests appropriate plans, and offers healthy top tips.

While domestic horses differ from their wild ancestors in many ways, some parts of their biology – such as their digestive system – remain virtually unchanged. Adult horses’ digestive systems are well adapted to a lifestyle of almost continuous grazing: their teeth have sharp ridges to grind up fibrous material such as grass, and their stomachs are relatively small (around 8 litres for a 500kg horse), making them better suited to a constant trickle of food rather than large meals.

Horses are also ‘hindgut fermenters’, with a highly developed, large intestine that is home to millions of micro-organisms that can break down fibre that humans are unable to digest, turning it into products that can be absorbed and used by the horse.

While it is important to note there is no single feeding plan that will be perfect for every horse, current feeding recommendations are based on feedstuffs and feeding schedules that closely match these adaptations. Inappropriate diets, including feeds that horses are not well adapted to, have been implicated in a number of health problems including colic, gastric ulceration, obesity (which can, in turn, cause many health issues), dental disease and behavioural problems.

WHAT DOES MY HORSE NEED? When formulating a feeding plan, it is important to assess the horse’s current weight and body condition. You can work out your horse’s weight with a weight tape (the ‘RDA Weight Checker’ (rda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/horses-and-rda) provides an easy calculator), but it is also important to look at the horse’s body condition or fat score (see ‘Traffic Lights’ chart overpage).

An overweight horse will be at increased risk of diseases such as colic (due to abnormal fat tissue in the abdomen), and laminitis and lameness (due to increased stress on their joints), so reaching an ideal weight is a priority.

A horse that is underweight may require additional feeds with higher nutrient content, a reduction in workload, or further veterinary investigation if these steps do not cause an improvement.

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ABOUT NATHALIE: NATHALIE COLE BSC (HONS) BVSC MRCVS IS AN EQUINE VET BASED AT THE LIPHOOK EQUINE HOSPITAL IN HAMPSHIRE. AS WELL AS BEING THE RDA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS VET, SHE ALSO HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING AT FEI EVENTS, AND IS WORKING TOWARDS AN ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN EQUINE MEDICINE.

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Horse Welfare

Chewing enough high-fibre feeds reduces the risk of dental disease, and prevents boredom, thus helping to avoid development of vices such as crib-biting.

ACCESS TO FORAGE All horses should be fed a diet based on continuous access to ‘forage’ – high-fibre feeds such as grass or hay. By providing this type of diet, the majority of the horse’s free time will be spent chewing, stimulating production of saliva to reduce the acidity of the stomach and, therefore, the risk of gastric ulceration. Chewing enough high-fibre feeds also reduces the risk of dental disease, and prevents boredom, thus helping to avoid development of vices such as crib-biting and windsucking, which can in turn increase the risk of colic.

Digestion of fibre in the large intestine produces heat, providing a built-in ‘central heating’ effect that is particularly important in winter. In most horses, this type of diet provides enough energy to maintain body condition and support light work, and all that needs to be fed in addition is a feed such as a low-calorie balancer to ensure a correct supply of vitamins and minerals.

FEEDING FOR THE HARD WORKER Horses in harder work, or those who need to gain weight, will benefit from alterations to the basic diet described above.

Haylage can provide more nutrients compared to hay, and may be a more appropriate base diet in these cases. These horses will also benefit from additional ‘concentrate’ feeding.

Historically, these feeds consisted largely of cereals that are high in starches and rapidly digested, providing quick-release energy. However, we now know that this rapid digestion can cause increased acidity within the stomach, a risk factor for gastric ulceration. These feedstuffs can also ferment within the large intestine, producing gas leading to colic, and the rapid release of energy can cause excitable behaviour.

While cereals are still used, with care, to provide energy for harder working horses, many feeds now contain oil as a source of energy. Adding vegetable oil, such as corn oil, to a low-calorie balancer product already in your feed room (up to a maximum of 1 millilitre of oil per kilogram bodyweight per day), may provide enough additional energy without the risks associated with cereals, and feeding oil can also help reduce the risk of gastric ulceration in susceptible horses.

Higher energy balancer products are also commercially available, providing an easy way to feed your horse everything it needs, without a feed room full of bags. Any daily ration of concentrate feed should be split into multiple smaller feeds to avoid overloading the stomach.

FEEDING THE ‘GOOD DOER’ Overweight horses often need to have restricted access to feed, as they will usually choose to eat more than they need, and may gain weight if offered unlimited access to even low-energy feeds. Some ‘good doers’ may require as little as 1.5% of their bodyweight in forage per day; however, it is still important to ensure access to feed for as many hours of the day as possible.

A grazing muzzle will slow grass intake, allowing a longer duration of turnout, while double netting hay will make a set hay ration last longer. Hay can also be soaked for up to twelve

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RDA Outcomes Tracker

hours to reduce its sugar content, meaning a larger volume can be fed. However, prolonged soaking removes a range of nutrients, meaning that feeding a lowcalorie balancer is particularly important.

IS MY HORSE UNDER OR OVER WEIGHT? If you have any questions about your horse’s shape or feeding, then your vet is a good first point of contact. Obesity among horses is increasingly common, so professional advice and using scoring systems (such as the Traffic Lights chart) are often much more reliable than comparing your horse’s weight to its neighbours!

Feeding a high-fibre diet, with the minimum added concentrate feed to maintain an ideal weight, is an ideal ruleof-thumb for straightforward feeding for good general health.

MOST HORSES CAN GET ALL THE ENERGY THEY NEED TO SUPPORT LIGHT WORK FROM A FORAGE-BASED DIET. FEEDING A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE BALANCER ALONGSIDE FORAGE IS AN EASY WAY TO MAKE SURE YOUR HORSE GETS ALL THE NUTRIENTS IT NEEDS. FEEDS HIGH IN CEREALS SHOULD BE FED WITH CARE AND ONLY TO HORSES THAT NEED THE EXTRA ENERGY TO MAINTAIN AN IDEAL WEIGHT.

THE SCORING CHART IS USED BY KIND PERMISSION OF WORLD HORSE WELFARE, FROM THE ‘RIGHT WEIGHT’ LEAFLET, AVAILABLE AT: WORLDHORSEWELFARE.ORG/RIGHT-WEIGHT

Top Tips for Feeding...

Your vet will be happy to help you assess your horse’s condition and feeding requirements. A qualified equine nutritionist can also provide feeding advice. Many vet practices now run regular weight clinics for owners of horses yet to reach their ideal weight, and some practices and nutritionists even have portable horse weigh scales for accurate on-yard assessment.

Once you have a feeding plan, always weigh your feed accurately, or find a container that holds the correct amount when full. Measuring feed amounts by eye can be inaccurate and lead to over- or under-feeding.

Monitor your horse’s weight and condition regularly, ideally every two weeks. A change in weight may indicate that a change in diet is needed, or unexpected weight loss may be an indicator of an underlying problem. Remember, if your horse’s weight changes, then his tack may no longer fit and may require adjusting or changing.

Always make any changes to your horse’s diet gradually, ideally over two to three weeks to reduce the risk of colic.

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rda.org.uk

Advertise IN RDA MAGAZINE

If you’re reading this, then so are your potential customers. With RDA Magazine’s re-launch comes a whole range of new advertising opportunities, which can help you to promote and accelerate your business throughout 2016.

All of the profit we make on advertising goes directly back into the RDA, meaning that when you advertise your business, you not only benefit your company, but also the 48,000 service-users and organisers that form the larger RDA Community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF RDA MAGAZINE CONTACT ANDY ETHERTON:

E

T

(O1536) 527297 aetherton@rda.org.uk

Putting Participants

FIRST

EMMA ON HER HORSE SAMWISE.

RDA’S PARTICIPANT COMMITTEE ENSURES RIDERS, DRIVERS AND VAULTERS ARE CENTRAL TO RDA LIFE. EMMA WELLS, COMMITTEE CHAIR, SHARES HOW SHE BECAME INVOLVED, WHAT THE DEEPER ENGAGEMENT MEANS FOR PARTICIPANTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF RDA UK AS A WHOLE, AND HOW SHE IMAGINES THE FUTURE OF THIS EXCITING INITIATIVE.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PARTICIPANTS COMMITTEE? I became involved in Participation through a visit to the Burghley Horse Trials in 2014.

The RDA had asked for helpers at their stand, and because I always go to the horse trials, I went along and helped out at the RDA stand for that day. And Caroline (RDA UK Communications Manager) asked me about all the different things I’ve done, including being vicechairman of school governors. She then mentioned the RDA could make of some of those skills, and suggested Matt Cobble (Volunteer Development Coordinator RDA UK) get in touch with me. Through that initial chat, I was asked to be a member on the Participants Committee.

That was in March 2015. And then Liz Stone stepped down – she was the first chairman of the Participant Committee, having headed up the Working Group for nine years, and breaking the ground for me to build on the role – and by the following November, I was chair. And I love it; it’s my absolute passion.

CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROJECTS YOU WANT TO DEVELOP? I believe the primary aim of the Participants Committee is to represent the needs of every RDA participant, whether a rider, driver or vaulter. And I see them as our ‘customers’ – and I know that’s not a word people always like to use, but those participants are basically why we’re here. So, a major project I’d like to develop is to make sure every RDA Group has one participant representative, who puts forward the participant’s views, as opposed to the Group’s views – because they’re not always the same thing.

Currently, each RDA Group has a participant representative in each region, who feeds back information and comments to the national Committee.

What I want to do is go one step further, down to the grassroots so there is

Focus on Participation

representation from everybody. So, for example, I want us to be hearing the story of that one rider, who rides maybe just once a week, and how that one ride each week improves the life of that rider – and not only of that rider, but also adds value to that rider’s family life.

It’s also looking at the people who would like to get back out into the countryside with the carriage driving, or the endurance driving, but who maybe don’t know about those options.

And of course, with Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics coming up, I wonder how many of our para riders are going to think: Oh, I’d like to do that! After all, so many of our para riders at the Olympic level have come up through the RDA. YOU MENTIONED THAT WITHIN THE RDA GROUPS, THERE IS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS THAT’S NOT ALWAYS BEING USED. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU’D LIKE TO CHANGE THAT? Historically, it’s been that if you were a rider or carriage driver, it may not have occurred to you that you could also be on the committee, or help with a session. And that’s so far from what’s possible!

For example, I’m a Grade One rider, which means I can only go at walking pace on a horse. So, I can’t sweep out a stable, or tack up a horse anymore – but I’m very good on a computer, and with social media, and have been Chairman at my RDA Group.

Many groups will have people like me, who can’t do the physical tasks, but can do other things.

So, we’re putting on various events throughout the regions, on different scales.

For example, one region recently had a small event with 17 people, and it was coffee, cake and chat. But the important thing is that the chat was all about opportunities with the RDA. Now, each of those 17 people are asking about the next event, and encouraging more people to come along. On the other end of the scale, is a gathering where the Region goes to Robinson’s, one of the largest equestrian stores in the country, where an evening event is planned with buffet, talks about the RDA and participants, and then everyone has a 10% discount off any

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Focus on Participation

purchases at the shop. Of course, I’d love to see all the regions build up to the big events – but you have to start small. So that’s what I’m working on, to help every region at least put on a coffee evening.

CAN YOU EXPAND A BIT MORE ON WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS IN BEING ABLE TO DO MULTIPLE THINGS? There have been some groups that have always had a rider or carriage driver on committees, and at the same time, there are some that haven’t. So, I know there are a lot of participants who don’t think they can be involved within their group – whether that’s on the committee, or helping out with one of the RDA sessions, or maybe even doing the social media for the group… and so that’s not really making the best use of all the many skills available.

Throughout RDA there are examples of disabled people doing all kinds of volunteering roles, from coaching to running committees. I’d like to see this happening more often – and certainly more riders being given the opportunity.

I first realised how many skills were being missed due to my involvement in school governance. A few years ago, there was a massive change, leading to every state-maintained school having to do a skills audit of all their governors. To be honest, we thought it would just be a tick-box exercise… but doing that skills audit, we found our governors had skills that we had no idea about. That led to reorganising of many sub-committees to take best advantage of those previously known skills. I’m convinced this is the same situation within the RDA groups and regions: we don’t know the skills of the people we’ve got because, too often, we simply don’t ask.

SO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE A SKILLS AUDIT INTO THE REGIONS? Yes, I think that would be a nice thing to do – although done on a softer basis, as school governance is mandatory, and we wouldn’t want to do that within RDA. However, I think if the groups were to ask the riders what they could do, and what they’d like to do, we’d be amazed to find

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out what people can do and want to do.

Perhaps we could do a simple quiz, and ask the groups to do it, as long as they are open to the idea of it. And participants would realise they can do so much more, and think: I can do that! Look what happened with me – and that just started by chatting with someone.

HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIAL MEDIA IN COMMUNICATING THESE IDEAS OF INCREASED PARTICIPATION? I think it’s very important. So many people use Facebook and Twitter, and that’s a fast way of getting messages across to people. I know that not everyone is on social media, but if you’re having an event or an activity within your group, or if your group needs something doing, then social media is a fast way to get the message across. Or getting photographs out, and stories about what the group’s doing.

It’s just instant, and it gets shared, gets followed - and that’s how you pick up help and supporters… lots of things!

SO, WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS? Well, basically wherever there’s RDA, I’m there speaking with people! After all, face-to-face contact is a very powerful tool. Obviously, I can’t go to every RDA group in the country. So, I plan to start off by speaking with the regional chairmen at their meetings, and I can work with the volunteer committee, and by doing that, pass the message down through the regional participants’ representatives to show this is something we can do. And just look at what is out there. I think the RDA is absolutely brilliant – I just don’t think we’re good enough at talking about it! We should be shouting it from the rooftops.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE TO YOU? In 12 months, I’d like to see a fully engaged participant representative in each of the 18 RDA regions. Someone who really wants to get involved and do the job. We should have a representative in every region now, but some have had to stand down so that’s not a new thing, just that some of the positions are not filled.

In two years’ time, I’d like to see every region hold at least one participant event

in the year, on whatever scale.

And in three years, I’d like to see every group have its own participant representative on every level.

That’s really what I’d like us to be working towards. And I really don’t think it’s a hard thing to do, or pie-in-the-sky- thinking. It’s something we can really easily with everyone getting on board, and cascading the ideas through national, regional, group, and participants. It could be achieved so easily, but it needs people on board.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO ASKS WHY BE A PARTICIPANT REPRESENTATIVE? I would say that we’re the people who know what the participants want. We’re the riders, the carriage drivers, the vaulters. We know what we want from the RDA. Our groups might think they know what we want, but they don’t necessarily.

For example, a group might not know that one rider is interested in taking up endurance, or para showjumping. All the participants talk to each other at the beginning and end of each session, or go for coffee together, so it’s the participants that know what other participants want.

So maybe someone will say they fancy having a go at showjumping, but maybe that particular group doesn’t offer show jumping. So that’s when the group’s participant representative can go to the regional participant representative, and find out how to get help to introduce that activity into the group.

SO, YOU’VE GOT A CHALLENGE AHEAD? Yes, it’s a tough, challenging job. But it’s achievable, and can and will and has to happen. It’s all about giving a voice to all the participants. They already have it in many groups, just not in all. In the end, it’s all about making sure people are doing more para activities, and also getting more of our disabled people volunteering and helping. There are so many different facets, and they all link and tie in together.

It’s really, really exciting!

DO YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED? EMAIL LOTTIE DRONFIELD AT LDRONFIELD@RDA.ORG.UK

rda.org.uk

Making Sport Matter

MAKING SPORT

matter

At RDA, we understand the lifechanging value of activity. ‘Sporting Future’, a new government strategy, focuses on encouraging involvement in physical activity.

THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY (launched in

PHIL SMITH, DIRECTOR OF SPORT, SPORT ENGLAND

December 2015) creates an exciting opportunity to identify the positive impact on people volunteering within activities, along with offering real focus on currently under-represented groups, including women, disabled people, those in lower socio-economic groups and older people. (Note: Sport England’s remit doesn’t cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.)

The result of a three-month consultation, in which the RDA provided an extensive response alongside other British Equestrian Federation member bodies, the strategy focuses on five outcomes: • physical wellbeing • mental wellbeing • individual development • social and community development • economic development • Responsibility for much of the strategy’s practical application rests with the Sport England team led by Director of Sport Phil Smith.

The report ‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation’ is more than 80 pages; we’ve provided a breakdown of the five key messages. We asked Phil to expand on these key messages.

KEY MESSAGE: FOCUS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NOT JUST SPORT This new strategy for sport and physical activity moves beyond merely looking at how many people take part. It will consider what people get out of participating and what more can be done to make a physically active life truly transformative – Sporting Future ‘Many people do something active in their daily or weekly lives, and it doesn’t matter to them whether it’s called sport or physical activity,’ explains Phil. ‘So we will focus less on that kind of distinction; we’re now going to take a wider view of sports and physical activity.

‘Of course, there are still some ‘grey’ areas to be resolved, such as walking, or cycling to work or school, or some dance disciplines. We may count those things, but we may not fund

21

Focus on Grants

them. However, achieving the five values/outcomes laid out in the government strategy, is what potentially counts towards funding. And, as far as I can tell, any form of equestrianism will count.’

KEY MESSAGE: VALUE OF VOLUNTEERING The strategy also places much stronger emphasis on the value of volunteering within sport. That’s something RDA has argued for many years; working with Sport England, we can show the impact of volunteering with RDA, in much the same way as for riding.

Phil comments that money has always been spent on encouraging more volunteers into sport, and increasing the number of people playing: ‘the change is that the government wants to have volunteering viewed as an intrinsic good. So it’s an end in itself, and the outcome we’ll be trying to achieve is to get more people volunteering for what it can achieve for them and their community.

It’s really important we increase the number and diversity of volunteers, in a way that volunteers get the benefit of the five outcomes or, at least, a combination of some of them. Volunteering will be a central theme in Sports England’s new strategy coming out in May.’ ‘I’m very clear on what we’re trying to achieve, which includes people volunteering at least twice a year. That’s an interesting – and low – threshold.

‘So this is a new type of volunteering, so their motivation might be very different from the person who’s at the riding stables week in and week out, and it will require a different type of intervention.’

KEY MESSAGE: DIVERSITY AND UNDER-REPRESENTATION The new strategy also emphasises engaging more people from every background to regularly and meaningfully take part in sport and physical activity – not just doing it, but also volunteering in and experiencing live sport. There is a real focus on under-represented groups in sport and physical activity.

‘We know our current volunteer workforce, as highly valued as it is, is definitely not representative of our society,’ comments Phil.

‘For example, our volunteers in sport are overwhelmingly white, middle-class and non-disabled. In fact, Sport England’s ‘Active People’ survey showed that only 15% of regular (defined as at least once a month) volunteers have a limiting disability. Although it’s not completely unrepresentative, that percentage doesn’t match the population at large. I’ll be looking to improve that, together with other under-represented groups over the next few years.’

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FOR A COMPLETE DIGITAL COPY OF SPORTING FUTURE: A NEW STRATEGY FOR AN ACTIVE NATION VISIT WWW.GOV.UK

KEY MESSAGE: YOUNG PEOPLE AS CENTRAL To encourage the enjoyment of, and participation in, activity from an early age, Sport England’s remit is to include sport activities – outside school only –

Making Sport Matter

for children from the age of 5 (it currently starts at 14).

‘It’s a fair question to ask why Sport England only begins its investment at 14, and so the government made a commonsense policy change (to go to age 5), because that’s the typical school starting age,’ says Phil.

‘However, there are two important things to understand: First, it will increase the population we’re trying to serve by approximately six million people – that’s the population of England in the 5 and 14 age bracket. Yet, Sports England received a flat cash settlement in the most recent spending review, which means we’ll have the same amount of money for the next few years as we’ve had recently. While we’re relatively pleased about that, as many public bodies are facing cuts, when you’ve got a bigger job, with more tasks, and the same amount of money, the maths is quite simple. There are some hard choices to make.

‘Secondly, we are responsible for children’s sport and activity only outside school. So, the responsibility for PE and school sport in curriculum time remains with the department for education, with which we hope to work closely. We want to make sure that what we try to do outside school fits really well with the shape of PE offered in school. We want to make sure the child is at the centre of the policy, rather than what’s right for the Department for Education or for Sport England.

KEY MESSAGE: BEHAVIOUR CHANGE, UNDERSTANDING AND MEASURING The new strategy is an exercise in behaviour change: to get more people to be more active means changing their behaviour. To do that adequately and effectively means having an understanding of current behaviour. The strategy is focused on five outcomes, and where there is insufficient evidence on a link between sport and these outcomes, Sport England will deliver further work to develop understanding and a way to measure impact for these outcomes.

Phil explains that measuring the amount of people participating in sport has been most recently done through the ‘Active People’ survey. Because the outcomes to be achieved have changed, a new survey of a similar scale called ‘Active Lives’ is now being used, including the ability to respond online.

‘It’s going to record the behavior of individual participants over a longer time period as well as capturing recent activity as a sort of day-to-day snapshot,’ he explains.

‘We can follow the habits and behaviours of individual participants in a way we couldn’t do previously. For example, at the last count in December there were about 15.5 million people playing sport weekly in England, which is slightly fewer than the same time the previous year. But the survey could never show if it was the same 15.5 million people. Of course, intuition would tell you there’s churning there, and it’s not exactly the same people, so our challenge is to understand the changing behavior of individuals.

‘Our previous data does not provide the necessary rich depth of understanding about people, and how they dip in and out of activity, how they lapse, how they go from thinking about something to doing something… that behaviour change is going to be a very strong feature of our next few years.

‘Our new survey looks at the different characteristics of people (e.g. disability, ethnicity, social class). It doesn’t track

rda.org.uk

Volunteering can improve physical health, mental wellbeing, develop people as individuals, make them more employable, and it can certainly contribute to the local economy

individuals by name or personal data, simply by the pattern exhibited by you and people like you. So, it will capture a fuller picture of activity, rather than just a snapshot. It will help us to better understand the habits of people playing sport or doing activity over time – critical information that’s currently missing from our intelligence.

‘With the majority of data being captured online, the survey will also be more in keeping with the younger population, to enable access to people who may not have a home phone, or may spend more time online, or on a mobile device. It makes it likely we will collect a more representative sample.’

THE WAY FORWARD Beyond the five key messages, there is also emphasis on decreasing the number of people who are physically inactive (currently 17% of the population), and getting them over the threshold of ‘physical inactivity’, which is defined by the Chief Medical Officer as ‘participation in less than 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.’

Phil comments that helping inactive people involves very different interventions or investments from those that make already active people do a bit more: ‘I suspect that, especially when dealing with people with limiting disabilities, as the RDA does, there is a skew within the inactive population towards a larger disability – more people with disabilities might be in that group simply because of the limitations on activity.’

He adds that all new funding will go to organisations that can demonstrate delivery of some, or all, of the five outcomes in the strategy. As the report states: ‘We are open-minded about what type of organisation should receive this funding. However, it is likely that organisations which show that they can work collaboratively and tailor their work at the local level will be best placed to access this funding.’

Phil concludes: ‘So if you’re a disability group looking to get investment from Sport England to help inactive people to get moving, that would be potentially an attractive area.’

Phil adds that Sport England feels hugely positive about the RDA: ‘We’ve put money in through the British Equestrian Federation, and the RDA has done a terrific job with it in recent years. I’ve only got good things to say about its leadership and its activities. We look forward to continue working with them in the future.’

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Xxxx Regional reports

Regional Roundup

The very latest news and events from RDA groups around the UK.

EAST Thanks to a mild winter, most groups have kept going despite being outside. The Buckenham House Group from Norfolk now has an indoor school, which has made a big difference. Here is a rider’s perspective: ‘Riding through the winter has been so much pleasanter since we’ve had the new indoor school. Although it may be cold, there is no icy wind causing muscles to stiffen and ache. The better lighting is a great help, because going in and out of the brightness of floodlights can be disorientating when riding shapes or changing reins. And it’s much easier to hear instructions clearly. At first, I wasn’t sure of the mirrors, but now I see the advantage of being able to see myself sitting up straight. The large size of the indoor school means there is space for me to practice cantering again, while other riders can be working on exercises at the other end of the school. Sometimes, after our RDA session, we watch livery owners doing dressage in the school, which is interesting and inspiring.’

Two groups in our Region are starting vaulting. The Cambs College group has started on a mechanical horse, which is proving popular; two riders are accepted for the BEF Para Equestrian Entry. Gaddesden Place Group is also researching vaulting training with Christina Grieve, who is a log book holder.

Three groups are looking for ponies/horses. Waverley Driving group in Herts, which has moved to a new area and hopes to start driving again after Easter, needs a 13.3 hand driving pony. Rossway Group in Herts is looking for a 15 hand cob, and Elisabeth Curtis in Bedfordshire needs two new cobs. Do get in touch if you know of anything suitable.

The Digswell Place Group and the Woodhurst Group have decided to become incorporated Groups, and committed volunteers are pleased with their new status. Digswell Place fund raising committee held a very successful Charity Ball.

At North Herts Group, a little boy with severe Downs Syndrome, who previously wouldn’t even look at the horses at the beginning of the Autumn term, was very happy by the time of the half-term holiday. His parents came to watch him, and were thrilled to see this achievement. It just shows how RDA helps everyone at all stages.

Gay Redman, Regional Chairman

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redman.tessa@gmail.com

WEST AND CENTRAL SCOTLAND The heat is on for RDA Glasgow’s riders and volunteers, as they are beating the winter chill, thanks to a new biomass heater. The new ecofriendly heating system has transformed the previously unheated arena into a mild and comfortable environment for riders, volunteers, and horses. It makes Glasgow the only Group in Scotland to have an indoor heated arena. The Chairman of RDA Glasgow Group explained: ‘Having an unheated arena was absolutely fine in favourable conditions but when the damp, cold days arrived, it was much more difficult for our riders to be comfortable. We wanted to change all that, and make riding in the winter a more comfortable experience for our riders. It is not only riders who benefit from a cosier arena – volunteers and staff also appreciate the warmth.’

Marissa was born 11 weeks early, and not expected to survive, but several operations later and after some setbacks along the way, Marissa came home after four and a half months. She attends Langfaulds Primary school and her Mum never dreamed she would go horse riding every week.

Marissa arrived at the Glasgow Group armed with her oxygen cylinder as she suffers from chronic lung disorder. Her mother came to support her, and it was quickly decided she could do without the cylinder when riding. She rode Smudge and quickly bonded with him: ‘Come on, Smudge, work with me!’, as she tried to steer him round the course. After each lesson, her Mum hears the constant refrain of ‘How many sleeps till I go and ride Smudge?’. Since Marissa started riding, and focused on it as her hobby, it has given her confidence. She talks about the horses to her friends and family, and has asked her mother if she could have a real horse! Her Mum protests that it would cost too much, and she will just have to stick to borrowing Smudge every Friday.

Janette Lightbody (Carrick Group) recently wrote about her several hobbies, including horse riding, writing, painting and gardening: ‘Horse riding is my special hobby. Last year I was given the opportunity to try the RDA Regional Dressage to Music competition, and I enjoyed every minute of the experience. The difficult part was choosing the music for the 4.27 minutes of our performance.

The music had to change tempo when the moves

Regional reports Xxxx

ABOVE CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: MARISSA AT THE GLASGOW GROUP • JANETTE LIGHTBODY AND MURPHY • JANETTE LIGHTBODY AND MURPHY • AIGAS.

changed, i.e. walk, trot, then walk again, or even a canter. I was very fortunate to have chosen Fernando by ABBA. The music suited my gorgeous big partner, and he managed to change pace as the music changed tempo. As I went round the arena, I felt on cloud nine. My partner, Murphy, was in total harmony with me and the music throughout the whole performance, and I was really pleased we won the competition. Bargower Riding School were so thrilled with this riding school horse not only performing dressage but actually winning, that they put us on Facebook, along with the rosettes and the score sheet. Now, we’re thinking about this year’s competition and what music to use and how to make it look good. Move over Strictly Dancing, this is Dressage to Music. Hobby two (writing) is writing about Hobby one (riding), and Hobby three (painting) will be painting a portrait of Murphy and me winning the Competition!

rda.org.uk

Aigas first came to the Breadalbane & District RDA group with his mum, when he was five years old. He retired at the end of last year, at the age of 21, and richly deserves his long-service award. With his owner/ breeder, Mrs Jennifer Valentine, he has been a champion in Ridden Highland Pony Classes and won Highland One Day Events. At RDA, Aigas never put a foot wrong, and instructors, helpers and children all trusted him - some of our children would only ride Aigas. He was a real favourite with us all, and will be very much missed. We wish him a long and happy retirement.

ROUND UP ROUND UP To have your group appear in the next edition of RDA Magazine, send your stories to ffion@rda.org.uk

Gillie Drapper, Regional Publicity Officer drapper@kilewnan.org.uk

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Regional reports

MID WEST

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP-LEFT: THE DISPLAY • THE PRINCESS ROYAL WATCHING THE DISPLAY; ON HER LEFT IS CAROLINE LONGSDON TALLAND RDA CHAIRMAN, AND ON HER RIGHT IS PAMMY HUTTON, OWNER OF TALLAND SCHOOL OF EQUITATION • THE PRINCESS ROYAL PRESENTING ROSETTES. • THE PRINCESS ROYAL PRESENTING LONG SERVICE AWARDS TO (LEFT TO RIGHT) JANET CAMPBELL, ROSEMARY OSBORNE, MARY FINNEY AND RHONA RHEID

Talland Group Riding for the Disabled received a visit from the Princess Royal while celebrating the Group’s 50th anniversary.

One of the oldest groups in the country, Talland began life six years prior to the official formation of RDA nationally, thanks to the vision of Sheila Shaw who formed the group in a field to provide riding for pupils at Burton Hill School, Malmesbury.

Soon afterwards, Molly Sivewright, owner of Talland School of Equitation at Siddington offered the Group a home; it stayed until 2006, when it moved with Talland to new purposebuilt premises at Ampney Knowle, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

Talland School of Equitation is now

26

run by Polly (Molly’s daughter), and Polly’s husband Brian Hutton. Their continuing support provides the Group with horses and indoor facilities, and Talland Group has gone from strength to strength, giving weekly riding lessons to disabled adults and children from the Cirencester area.

On a beautiful sunny day, the Princess Royal watched a mounted display, presented each rider with a magnificent rosette, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and cut a 50th birthday cake.

She also presented four Talland volunteers with long service awards: Janet Campbell and Rosemary Osborne (35 years each), and Rhona Rheid and Mary Finney (40 years each).

A splendid tea was served in the

indoor riding school and riders’ families and friends met the Princess Royal. There were also representatives from local firms, charitable trusts and organisations who have helped Talland with donations over the years, along with retired volunteers, instructors and friends of the Group.

Talland chairman Caroline Longsdon said it was a hugely happy and successful day to mark a milestone in the Group’s history in the presence of RDA’s president.

Here’s to the next 50 years!

Lizzie Blair, Regional Chairman lizzieblair@btconnect.com

Regional reports

SOUTH EAST Winter can be the ‘quiet’ time for some RDA groups, but it’s a euphemism for getting everything done that we can’t squeeze in any other time. We ended the year producing a glossy 16-page review of 2015, and started 2016 with numerous training courses such as First Aid and carriage driving with Team GB’s Sara Howe. We also enjoyed the company of RDA’s CEO, Ed Bracher, who took us through Participant Experience and Volunteer Development, with the help of Volunteer Development Coordinator, Matt Cobble.

This was part of the South East’s review of our Volunteers and Succession Planning, and we saw Groups from all over the region, including one for the first time at a regional event. Many from the grassroots attended, which is important as we are keen to develop our wonderful volunteers and identify those with the skills and enthusiasm to contribute a bit more. Continuing this theme, we also held a special get-together for anyone interested in joining an Events Team to help the committee in the planning of numerous regional events in the summer. Plus, the Regional Officers have been tasked to ‘take a friend’

EASTBOURNE FACEBOOK APPEAL FOR PONIES

to planned Groups visits, so that more people can see what happens at County and Regional level.

We also say ‘Goodbye’ to some individuals, most notably Carol Porter who has been outstanding in her role as South East Region Carriage Driving Representative for more than nine years. ‘Hello’ to her successor, Miranda Purves.

On a positive note about social media as a force for good, we heard a wonderful story from our Eastbourne RDA Group about finding fabulous new ponies. Having previously had three ponies for the Wednesday session, unforeseen circumstances left them with only one pony, just a couple of weeks before term started.

A volunteer put out an appeal on Facebook and Twitter and, within hours, the sufficient response allowed for an audition. Six ponies turned up, from which three new ponies joined their group – proving what a great resource social media is in quickly reaching a large group of people.

Joanna Sale, Regional Publicity Officer joannasale@btinternet.com

NORTH EAST AND SOUTH YORKSHIRE New Group Beverley RDA started in September, from scratch.

Faced with a steep learning curve, Shirley Hart, Group Instructor at Beverley RDA says it was wonderful to get so much help from everyone at RDAUK, and particularly from Judyth Dickins, Jane Hemingway, Pamela Hewitt and Moira Richardson: ‘They made sure I did everything I should and in the right order.’

In great news, one of our students, Ethan, has achieved his Endeavour Award. As he has been blind from birth, it is a huge achievement. Many congratulations, Ethan!

ETHAN WITH HIS ENDEAVOUR AWARD

Judyth Dickins, Regional Chairman bobjude@btinternet.com

rda.org.uk

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Regional reports

SOUTH

LAMBOURN RDA’S HAFFY TRYING TO KEEP CLEAN AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUMMER WITHOUT HIS CLOTHES ON!

WEST MERCIA The start of 2016 has been quiet as our thoughts and plans turn towards the summer term of shows and, hopefully, lovely warm sunshine for all our riding sessions. In preparation for the summer shows, we had an excellent training morning at South Bucks RDA. Waveney Luke talked about the assessment of a horses’ paces, and how to ride and lead the Introduction to dressage walk and walk/trot tests. Theresa Drake showed us how to introduce basic dressage into an RDA riding session. Elspeth and Nona, our physios, gave a talk on the benefits of the horses walk to the rider.

In February, Mary Illife organised a Regional Governance workshop at the Berkshire College of Agriculture. Claire Millican from RDA UK delivered an extremely informative workshop, which was very well received and gave much food for thought. This was the first Regional workshop we’ve held, and there have been several enquiries about a Tracker workshop for later in the year.

Sadly, two groups have taken the difficult decision to close down. After 32 years as a group, Chalfont RDA has lost the use of the riding facilities, and now hope to merge with Maidensgrove RDA, where some of their riders and volunteers can be accommodated. Swiss Cottage RDA has also had to close, and will be merging with Newbury RDA. I would like to thank all the many volunteers associated with these two groups, for the selfless hours given over many years. They can be so very proud of the difference made to the lives of their riders. The Region wishes them and their riders the very best of luck – they will be sorely missed.

Once again, the Lions Club of Windsor is generously sponsoring the RDA Fancy Dress class at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and hosting an annual sponsored ride in Windsor Great Park in September. Money raised is donated to local charities, and South Region has benefited for many years with the donation going towards training within our Region. If anyone would like to do the sponsored ride, details are at www.windsorlions.co.uk, or call 0845 833 2832. They are also asking for volunteers to steward over the two days. They pay the volunteers an amount per day that can be donated to their chosen charity, so a great way to raise funds for your RDA groups.

The beginning of 2016 saw a few ups and downs in Shropshire, but hopefully everything is back on track.

Some very sad news: after many years of providing facilities and horses for all types of riding (not least RDA), Prescott Riding School in Baschurch, Shropshire, has ceased operating.

Latterly, there were two groups riding out of Prescott, with several sessions each week; Baschurch and Loppington, and Derwen will have to find alternative premises. Shropshire County Officers and the groups concerned have been working hard to find suitable venues, and are nearly there in accommodating all concerned.

We would like to thank Prescott and all concerned for supporting RDA for so many years, and extend our best wishes for the future.

As a result of Prescott closing, we have to arrange an alternate venue for the Fun Day, and we hope to hold it at Berriewood, Condover sometime in June.

The County Committee goes from strength to strength, with several new initiatives. At a coffee morning, the ‘Raise Your Hats Appeal’ raised enough money to buy each group a number of hats. And, to promote all Shropshire Groups, the County Committee is organising an event on 23 September, in the Market Square in Shrewsbury. It will be an opportunity for all Groups to promote their particular sessions and sell anything relevant to their groups. It’s hoped the wider Shropshire community will find out more about what we do, and it’s a good opportunity for a ‘call to arms’ for prospective volunteers.

For the second year, the South Region show is at Wellington equestrian centre. This year, we have the added excitement of show jumping for groups registered for jumping, and two introduction to dressage classes. We are about to take delivery of our new mobile wheel chair mounting ramp and block, which will be available for use at the Regional show in June when we hope to have even more entries than last year.

The Shropshire County holiday will take place from the 1 - 5 September at Clwyd Riding Centre. As always, there is a need for volunteers to help out at a wonderful weekend of riding for the lucky riders able to attend. Please contact Carla Howarth, Shropshire County Chair, for details and information.

Frances Lochrane, Regional Chairman flochrane@btinternet.com

Lizzie Hill, Regional Publicity Officer elizabeth@ardenrda.org.uk

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Regional reports

NATALIE O’ROUKE (OWNER, PARK LANE STABLES) AND HRH PRINCESS ANNE

GREATER LONDON Park Lane Stables’ grand re-opening in February included a visit from HRH Princess Anne.

Previously threatened with closure – as the stables needed £40,000 of repairs – the effort of fundraising initiatives together with donations and promise of £5,000 from England Rugby resulted in a turnaround. Repairs and a rebuild were undertaken with the pro bono assistance of architects Astronaut Kawada, and local builders Reed who did the job at a reduced price. The stables also received £900 from Sky to fund the riders.

The opening day included a demonstration by Bushy Park riders, followed by a tour of the new stables and party room. Hundreds of local residents came out in support.

Valerie Blake was awarded the BEM in the New Year’s Honours List for services to Arrow Riding Centre. Many congratulations!

rda.org.uk

Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre’s recent Emergency Drill display involved 44 children and young people of mixed abilities, who all showed various skills in dealing with a variety of situations.

These included: dealing with a stable yard fire, carrying out CPR and demonstrating the use of a defibrillator, dealing with a riding accident, and finally a stop, drop, roll demonstration.

All this was carried out in front of HRH the Princess Royal, Pony Club officials, London Fire Brigade senior officers, and the RDA Chair for Greater London.

A staff member at Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre has achieved UKCC Level 2, while two other staff members achieved UKCC Level 1. Three members of staff have achieved NVQ Level 3.

Catherine Denye, Regional Publicity Officer rda.greater.london@gmail.com

Muriel Holyman BEM, 1913 – 2015.

Muriel Holyman was involved with The Diamond Centre for Disabled Riders for over 40 years. She sadly died at the age of 101 and was the Centre’s eldest volunteer and supporter.

Muriel started at Diamond along with her sister Barbara when they brought their brother Denis riding. As volunteers, they helped lead disabled children and adults, and showed great empathy, and understanding of horse riding’s therapeutic value.

Muriel and Barbara were awarded an RDA Special Award in 2009, and Muriel was awarded a BEM in 2013.

Barbara and Muriel will always be inextricably linked with the Diamond centre.

I speak for all our riders, volunteers and staff, past and present when I say that it has been a privilege to have known the Holyman sisters and we are very grateful for all their hard work and dedication on Diamond’s behalf.

Muriel left Diamond a very generous legacy in her will and as a lasting memory, Muriel’s British Empire Medal and Commemorative Plate was kindly presented to Diamond and is in our display cabinet.

Steve Axon, Chairman of Trustees, The Diamond Centre for Disabled Riders.

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Regional reports

NORTH WEST

TOP TO BOTTOM: NORTH WEST PARTICIPANTS, ISLE OF MAN • NORTH WEST PARTICIPANTS.

The Liverpool International Show at the Echo Arena was a great way to start 2016. Bolesworth Events kindly invited 100 of our riders and volunteers to join them at the first indoor event of this kind in our Region. Our riders were truly inspired, and we are now getting more Groups wanting to start showjumping.

Mid Cheshire held a morning for some of our riders to compete in the Dressage Anywhere online qualifier. Seven riders took part, and for five of them it was their first time having a go at a dressage test. We are hopeful that everybody will gain the 60% required to qualify for the final in April and May. Prizes are presented at the RDA National Championships in Hartpury.

Many of our Groups have now received their new riding hats, thanks to the generous donation from Anne Duchess of Westminster’s Charity. This has been a huge help with this unexpected expense.

Adrian Sumner, an expert in his field, has enthralled audiences with his varied lectures on Art. The Rag Trade Lecture in Northwich proved very popular, and our thanks to Adrian and Helen who raised much-needed funds for Sandy Lane RDA Group.

The two Isle of Man Groups joined together for a day of Safeguarding and Governance Training, and a lovely lunch was laid on, with plenty of cake of course.

Highlight of the year so far was definitely the Participants Evening held at Robinsons Megastore at Ashton-in-Makerfield. It was organised by Sarah Underwood, our Participants Rep and together with Emma Wells, Lottie, and Cat from National Office, over 110 participants and their families, carers and volunteers enjoyed a lively evening. Robinsons laid on a splendid buffet and an amazing raffle. They gave discount on shopping within the Store and everyone got a discount voucher for future use. We can’t thank them enough for their generous hospitality.

Our special thanks to our six presenters: Isabel Slack from Mid Cheshire, Daniel Glenton from Midgelands, Mo Vesty from Seaside Venture, Caitlin Allan from Formby and Southport, Ryan Cooper and Lewis Baker-Vose from Pendle RDA. Sheila Saner, Regional Chairman SheilaS@nantwichcc.co.uk

NORTH MIDLANDS Many thanks to Lesley Davies for all her work for the North Midlands, as joint Regional Chairman with me over the past six years.

I hasten to say that she has been more prominent than me within the role, but I have really enjoyed doing the job with her and hope I can live up to the role over the next three years.

Lesley has started her own group, the Belvoir Vale, and I wish her lots of luck. Fortunately for us, she continues as Nottingham County Coach so we will still

have her skills within the Region.

I also would like to extend my thanks to Winifred Pritchett. Her role as Regional Publicity Officer has come to an end, with Susan Tomkins of Wenlow group now taking on the role. Many thanks to Susan for taking this on. Winifred has been brilliant, and her hard work is much appreciated by us all – a huge thank you to her from all at North Midlands. Thankyou seems not enough, but nevertheless it is said with great appreciation. So, although the words are

few, I hope they will be read with pleasure by both Lesley and Winifred.

May I add to anyone reading this: if you feel curious about any of the roles within RDA North Midlands, please contact me. We are here to answer any questions.

Again thank you to our new officers, and best wishes for 2016.

Clarissa Howkins, Regional Chairman clarissa.howkins@googlemail.com

Regional reports Xxxx

YORKSHIRE AND CLEVELAND The Region hosted a Supra Regional Conference in March, at the Unicorn Centre in Middlesborough. We welcomed many visitors from all our neighboring regions, and there was a varied and informative programme on the theme of Achieving Success. The topics included: grants and form filling, safe and legal horse transporting, feeding the RDA horse, measuring success, together with a talk on how Charlotte Brear achieved success against the odds with Manor Missile in the eventing world. A fun lunchtime quiz offered chocolate Easter eggs as prizes.

Also in March, the Region hosted an interesting National Coaches Training Day at Richmond Equestrian Centre. Everyone took away something new to try with their group. The Bedale Group provided riders for the practical sessions, based on teaching the mixed ability ride, and achieving rising trot.

Two of our Groups were affected by the severe weather at Christmas.

St Ives (Bingley) had problems with flooding in their indoor manege, but thankfully has received a Sports England Grant to help with the repairs. The Group also lost the field shelter.

The Riverside group had problems when the River Aire burst its banks, and the track into the yard disappeared, as well as the grazing fields. Water poured through the entire yard flooding stables and their new classroom. I’m pleased to say that both groups are now up and running again.

The region ran a West Yorkshire ‘Workshop and Get Together’ in mid January at Haworth RDA. This went down very well, although the overnight snow meant some groups booked in didn’t make it!

There were about 20 people present and everyone contributed well – there was plenty to talk about and everyone enjoyed the free lunch afterwards. It was definitely a worthwhile session, and we have set up a similar session in mid September.

The region introduced their new mascot, a lovely palomino pony called Butterscotch. She is looking forward to getting out and about round the region; she attended both the Supra Regional Conference and the Training Day. She would love to hear from any other RDA group mascots.

Following on from a Regional Officers Day at Aintree, the Region decided to try a new format for its Newsletter, and the first one has gone out to groups. I already have ideas of how to improve the next one! Groups are now looking towards a busy few weeks preparing for the Regional qualifiers in all of the disciplines. Hopefully, the winter weather is behind us and we can look forward to working in the sunshine again.

Moira Wragg, Regional Publicity Officer yorkshireandclevelandregion@gmail.com PICTURES TOP: SPEAKER SAM ORDE, TALKING ABOUT GRANT BIDS MIDDLE: HORSE ON THE WEIGH BRIDGE BOTTOM: HORSES USED FOR LOADING AFTER BEING WEIGHED

rda.org.uk

31

Regional reports

NORTHERN IRELAND

DATES FOR DIARY 19TH AND 20TH APRIL: CONFERENCE AT ARMAGH CITY HOTEL 6TH APRIL: RDAC CANDIDATES MEETING, LAURELVIEW @ 7PM 29TH APRIL- 1ST MAY: TRAINING WITH CLIVE MILKINS AT OMAGH RDA 18TH MAY: REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS @ DANESCROFT 15TH JUNE: SUMMER DAY OUT, LAURELVIEW 23RD JUNE: SUMER DAY OUT, CASTLE LESLIE

The Worshipful Company of Loriners, a guild based in the city of London, is a long-term supporter of the Riding for the Disabled Association; members traditionally make bridles, bits, stirrups, saddle trees and other equestrian equipment. This year, the guild sponsored a national award for educational and therapeutic activities within RDA Groups – and Omagh RDA was chosen as the Group that demonstrated the most beneficial education and therapeutic activities.

Omagh RDA recognised that riders develop more than just riding skills during their lessons.

They pioneered many of the educational programmes offered to RDA by ASDAN (an educational programme development and awards body), whose programmes are widely used in vocational and special needs education. This enabled the group to recognise and celebrate riders’ achievements in areas including national curriculum subjects taught through horse-based activities, and the RDA Proficiency Tests, which provide a system of progressive practical learning in riding and stable management skills.

Young volunteers are supported to acquire nationally recognised qualifications to prepare them for employment, or to add to their CVs for university applications.

Omagh RDA offers volunteering opportunities for young people through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, Young Equestrian Leaders, and Millenium Awards programmes.

The therapeutic benefits of Riding for the Disabled are widely recognised, but difficult to quantify. Nationally, RDA’s tracker system records progress in several areas; Omagh RDA took part in the pilot scheme, and demonstrated improvement in all areas.

Other activities include craft work, creative art work, and writing, with riders producing exceptional work that won national prizes within RDA. Omagh Group has more than 110 riders who ride regularly from a wide geographical area, covering Tyrone, Fermanagh and county Londonderry. With riding experiences ranging from therapeutic exercise to competitive training, the group prepares riders for national and international competition, provides a training programme to enable riders to move from RDA to Para Training, and brings internationally recognised coaches to the Group to work with our riders. Omagh group is one of 28 in Northern Ireland. Please visit: ridingforthedisabledni.org.uk or email rdaniregion@yahoo.co.uk Katie Uprichard, Regional Publicity Officer katie_jordan@hotmail.co.uk

NORTH West Cumbria Riding for the Disabled gained a welcome boost to funds when Laura Mackereth took part in a sponsored zip-wire across the Tyne at Gateshead. Laura tries to do a sponsored activity for charity every year, and her friend Louise Starkey, who attends West Cumbria RDA with children from her school, suggested RDA. Laura raised £302 for the group, which was put towards the renting of the indoor school at the livery yard, Low Farm in Threapland. West Cumbria Group has increased the number of schools to eight, and holds sessions on Monday afternoons as well as the regular Friday mornings; feedback from all schools has been positive. Watching the relationship develop between pony and rider is always an amazing experience, and seeing how much the children progress is very rewarding. After advertising in the local newsletters and shops, the volunteer base is gradually increasing.

Westmorland RDA offered two ‘Stable Days’ at Witherslack Equestrian Centre during the holidays, with an army of volunteer helpers, parents and grandparents. Children learned to feed and groom their ponies before taking them on a ride, followed by exercises, games and competitions in the outdoor arena. Everyone went home tired, but happy, after a great day with friends and the most important ones – the horses.

The group is also celebrating after winning second place in two categories of the RDA Photographic competition.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Vickie Mackenzie, Regional Publicity Officer

LORINERS PRESENTATION

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PICTURES RIGHT: JOAN ANDERTON AND BARBARA SHOOTER RECEIVING THEIR AWARD FOR 25 YEARS’ RDA VOLUNTEERING SERVICE FROM GROUP PRESIDENT, JAN MITCHELL • ‘40TH ANNIVERSARY’ BY ANNETTE POULSOM

Regional reports

From the horse’s mouth...

DID YOU KNOW ROSETTE COLOURS VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY? FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE USA, BLUE IS USED FOR FIRST PLACE, WHILE THE NETHERLANDS USES ORANGE.

rda.org.uk

33

What’s going on

UPCOMING EVENTS 4-8 May

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials Gloucestershire

5 May

Greater London – Showjumping Qualifier Penniwells RDA Centre, Elstree

8 May

Yorkshire & Cleveland – Countryside Challenge Qualifier Middleton Park Equestrian Centre, Leeds

10 May

South West – Showjumping Qualifier The Brook, Devon

12 May

South East – Countryside Challenge Qualifier Fellbridge Show Centre, Felbridge East Grinstead

14 May

North West – Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifiers Crow Wood Equestrian, Burnley

14 May

Yorkshire & Cleveland – Countryside Challenge Qualifier Unicorn Centre, Hemlington Middlesborough

15 May

26 May

18 May

26 May

North Wales – Countryside Challenge Qualifier Clwyd Special Riding Centre, Wrexham

Northern Ireland – Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifier Danescroft, County Antrim

18 May

28 May

19 May

1 June

East - Showjumping Qualifier Oaklands College, St. Albans Hertfordshire

19 May

Greater London – Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifiers Penniwells RDA Centre, Elstree

Mid West – Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifier Summerhouse Equestrian Centre, Hardwicke Gloucestershire

5 June

22 May

6 June

East – Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifier Oaklands College, St. Albans Hertfordshire

23 May

16 May

23 May

South West – Countryside Challenge & Dressage Qualifier Lakefield Equestrian Centre, Cornwall

South East – Dressage Qualifiers Hickstead, Hickstead

North East & South Yorkshire – Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifier Thornton House Farm, York

Yorkshire & Cleveland – Dressage Regional Qualifier Middleton Park Equestrian Centre, Leeds

17 May

North Wales – Dressage & Showjumping Qualifiers Clwyd Special Riding Centre, Wrexham

South Wales – Dressage & Showjumping Qualifier Carmarthenshire College, Carmarthenshire

North Qualifiers – Dressage, Showjumping & Countryside Challenge The Pegasus Centre, Morpeth Northumberland

Grampian & Highland – Dressage Qualifier Broomhill Riding Centre, Ross-shire

34

18 May

South Wales – Countryside Challenge Qualifier Pencoed College, Pencoed

25 May

West Mercia – Countryside Challenge, Showjumping & Dressage Qualifier Stourport Riding Centre, Stourport-on-Severn

South – Dressage, Showjumping & Countryside Challenge Qualifier Wellington Riding Centre, Hook Hampshire

Mid West – Showjumping Qualifier Urchinwood Manor, Near Bristol

7 June

West & Central Scotland – Dressage Qualifier Glasgow RDA, Summerston

16-19 June

BBC Gardeners World Live Show NEC Birmingham, Marston Green Birmingham

15-17 July

RDA National Championships 2016 Hartpury College, Gloucestershire

16 November

RDA AGM Cheltenham Racecourse

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