RDA Magazine Autumn 2019

The official magazine of Riding for the Disabled Association

AUTUMN 2019

We are the Champions 25 years of friendly competition

Horse talk 50 years of helping hands Colin Duthie: My rollercoaster life

riding

driving

competitions

education

therapy

Thank you!

Thanks to the generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery many RDA Groups have seen their projects change from dream to reality!

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Stables Ponies rriages New Driving Ca Horse trailers New sheds Riding hats s Disabled Toilet assrooms Saddle club cl t Riding equipmen and more!

Letter from the Guest Editor

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en years ago, I was volunteering at The Special Olympics when I met Doug Smith, then the Championships Chairman. It turns out there are many people who’s relationship with RDA has started out by meeting Doug! When I was made redundant from my job, I started at RDA working on the National Championships. I imagined probably staying a couple of years – so as I celebrate my ten-year anniversary, it’s amazing to see how far we have come, not just the growth of the championships but as a whole organisation.

Volunteers like Doug, many of whom have been with RDA from the very start, have made us what we are today. As such a vital part of RDA’s success, it’s interesting to read about how the volunteering landscape has changed, from the point of view of one of our groups in Oxfordshire (page 18).

It was exciting to have Countryfile filming at this year’s Championships and even more exciting to see the resulting programme. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary and the championships reaches 25 (page 10), I felt proud of what we have created as an event, and for all our groups who have achieved so much in the past half century.

Colin Duthie (page 22) is a man on a mission. His achievements since his accident in 1984 are a reminder of how RDA can open doors to so much more. That is true for participants, volunteers and staff. I now know that chance meeting with Doug was the start of so many opportunities and experiences that I am grateful for. And, Like Colin, I still feel there is so much to do.

As I look ahead, I would still like to develop the Championships further. I know there are pressures on groups when it comes to finding horses and meeting the costs, but I also know the experience delivers so much to riders, drivers, families and volunteers. For my own personal development, I have recently started on the Coaching Pathway, and look forward to being able to open doors for my own riders one day.

T

Cover photograph: Spirit of RDA Championships 2019 © Louise Clarke

Sarah Hadley, (Championships Secretary, Dressage and Showing Coordinator)

GET YOUR COPY OF RDA MAGAZINE

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To subscribe please contact RDA on +44 (0) 1926 492915 or via our website: rda.org.uk/rda-magazine

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.

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

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RDA Coach!

The quality of coaching at RDA is second to none, combining equestrian knowledge with an in-depth understanding of a wide range of disabilities. At RDA we provide a tailored programme of training and assessment to help you achieve your coaching goals.

Whether you want to become a Group Coach or RDA Fellow – we will give you the support you need.

For more details please contact Lyndsay Wager

Fiona Elle Seville Harris

01926 405970 lwager@rda.org.uk

01926 405971 eseville@rda.org.uk fharris@rda.org.uk

Contents The official magazine of Riding for the Disabled Association

t: +44 (0) 1926 492915 e: info@rda.org.uk www.rda.org.uk

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Contents

RDA MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Unit C, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 9QJ www.matrixprint.com RDA PRESIDENT Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne EDITOR Ffion Llwyd-Jones e: ffion@rda.org.uk DEPUTY EDITOR Caroline Ward e: cward@rda.org.uk GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Alex Morris e: alex@matrixprint.com Tolu Akinyemi e: tolu@matrixprint.com

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News Countryfile, farewells and celebrations

25 years of The Champs!

Record-breaking 2019, and looking back

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18

ADVERTISING SALES Catherine Baldock e: cbaldock@rda.org.uk EDITORIAL BOARD Ed Bracher Chief Executive, RDA UK Sarah Heynen Chairman, RDA UK Sal Atkinson Fundraising Manager, RDA UK Sue Adams-Wheeler Chairman of Coaching Committee, RDA UK Jess Cook National Partnership Advisor, Activity Alliance 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. Š2016 The Riding for the Disabled Association.

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.

Horse Talk What is your horse trying to tell you?

50 years of volunteers Changes and fun over five decades

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High-octane mindfulness Colin Duthie's roller coaster ride

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

Out & About Teamwork makes the dream work

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Out & About

Join the conversation @RDANational:

National News

@OliverWightEAME Had a fan-

National Training Centre grand opening HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the first RDA National Training Centre in Warwickshire on 12 June, taking time to meet supporters and present riders with rosettes as well as delivering an inspirational speech.

HRH said: “This Centre will provide us with a lot more backing for those who really want to carry on and do more, and really be able to fulfill the ambitions which our founders set. I think this is a really exciting day and I can only offer my thanks to all of those who have been involved in making it possible. Not least to Ro for her enthusiasm and support that this should be the Centre for the future and for those of you who responded to the challenge of raising enough funds to make it happen.”

The opening event, which was kindly sponsored by Childs Farm, welcomed supporters to look around the new facilities and enjoy a dressage display by local RDA riders. The Centre already provides horse riding opportunities to 100 disabled children and adults in the county through the three RDA groups based on site. The new facility also offers ample opportunity for commercial hire, lessons and competitions alongside its purpose as a training Centre for RDA volunteers and coaches.

Chief Executive of RDA UK, Ed Bracher, spoke at the opening thanking those who have supported the project which he had started to envisage ten years ago. Ed said: "The role of our national body is to ensure our volunteers have what they need to deliver our service with confidence. I want every volunteer from Orkney RDA to Falmouth to feel confident they have the skills to do what is needed to support the riders and face new challenges. What we have created here at Lowlands, with your help, will enable us to deliver that support and confidence. The volunteers that help us provide that support, and the input they get from the National network, now have a home for our world-class training and support programmes.

We know from our research that well trained, confident volunteers will mean better and more impactful experiences for our riders and drivers.

This Centre will enable us to do just that.”

Countryfile: Celebrating RDA's 50th On Sunday 28 July over five million viewers tuned in to watch the RDA special of Countryfile, which included an interview with RDA’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, conducted by broadcasting legend and long-time Countryfile presenter John Craven.

The interview was filmed on the opening day of the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, where presenters John Craven and Anita Rani spent an enjoyable day with some of the events' 500 competitors, as well as volunteers and family members.

The Gloucestershire-themed episode featured sevenyear-old RDA rider Lily McKay and her mum, Alison.

Lily rides at Patchwork RDA in Nailsworth and also features in the RDA 50 Faces campaign. In an emotional interview, Alison explained how RDA has helped Lily and how proud she is of her achievements.

Championships competitor, Tracey Thomas, who rides at Talland RDA in Cirencester, also featured in the program as she prepared for the competition. The crew then followed her to Hartpury to find out how she got on in the Countryside Challenge competition, where she brought home an amazing second place rosette.

Volunteer Development Manager at RDA UK, Matthew Cobble said: “We've had so many kind words about the feature on Countryfile and have seen an astonishing response from the public. It is so important to share with people the benefits of our RDA activities and we hope all our groups have benefitted from an increase in volunteers from this publicity.”

Farewell to Kingston RDA Kingston RDA, London has closed. Marcia Hockley, County Chair for Greater London West, said: "I was privileged to attend the closing ceremony to give longservice certificates to the volunteers. We had a delicious lunch at the Lass of Richmond Hill, with table flowers from Virginia's garden. It was a sad occasion, with some tears but so much to celebrate and great friendships formed with volunteers who hopefully will continue to support RDA.”

@DYSPRAXIAFDTN Xxxxx x xxxx xxx Congratulations xxxx xxxxx xxxx to @RDAnational xx xx xxxxxcelebrating xx xxxxxxxxxxx 50 yearsxxxx of providing xxxxxxx opportunities xxxxxxxx xxxxx for disabled xx x xxx, children xxxxxx and

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Out & About

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tastic Friday at the @RDAnational Supporters Reception & Lunch! Thanks for having us! #RDAchamps #RDA50

Inclusive Gymkhana

Tim Stockdale Foundation

Youngsters from Furness Group RDA and Seaview Pony Club teamed together for an inclusive gymkhana, with a Countryside Challenge event and equitation classes.

Both groups are based at Seaview Riding School on Walney Island, Cumbria, and welcomed Ed Bracher, Chief Executive RDA UK, to start the event by officially opening Furness RDA's new £25,000 hydraulic mounting platform. The project was supported by the local community.

The collaboration of RDA and Pony Club riders impressed Ed: “We would like to see more of this, and are talking to the Pony Club to try and make that happen. There is so much that both (organisations) have to offer. The idea of an inclusive gymkhana, I haven't come across it before specifically stated like that, but what a brilliant idea.”

Judith Stitt, Furness RDA Chair, received the RDA Over and Above Award for her work towards helping making the hydraulic mounting platform a reality.

Judith said: “It's been an amazing evening. There has been a fantastic atmosphere and community spirit.

Thank you to everyone at Seaview, it is a great partnership. We are grateful to everyone who helped us get this platform.”

RDA has been gifted the first donation from the Tim Stockdale Foundation, which has provided a course of show jumps for the new National Training Centre. The foundation was created in memory of Olympic showjumper Tim Stockdale by his family, who believe it is important to use the foundation to support young people getting into sport.

Tim’s wife Laura said: "We wanted to support the RDA because Tim had a strong belief that everyone should get a chance to enjoy horses.

He would have loved to see the riders at the Centre enjoying showjumping too, it would have made him very happy and he would have been full of admiration."

The jumps include 11 sets of jump wings, poles, cups and fillers, and arrived in time for the opening of the National Training Centre on the 12 June where Laura and Joe Stockdale were able to see them in action for the first time.

Cat Stuart-Yapp, Fundraising Officer at RDA UK said: "We would like to say a huge thank-you to Laura and the family for choosing to support RDA and the National Training Centre. The show jumps are fantastic and we have great pride in seeing Tim’s name and the foundation represented at our Centre.”

Magazine Survey Results Over 130 readers took part in our survey to help us find out what you think of RDA Magazine. We asked what you like in the magazine, as well as suggestions for improvements. We also wanted to find out more about our readers, to make sure the content is relevant. The results show the most popular elements are the news and rider stories, and there were many suggestions for future features, as well as how we can encourage younger readers.

Caroline Ward, Communications Manager said: “Thank you to all our readers who took the time to complete our survey and share their thoughts with us. It is really useful to have this kind of insight so we can make sure our readers are enjoying the magazine, to help us develop the content for future issues.”

xxx adults xxx and xxxxxxxx good luckxxxx to allxx those xx xxxxx taking xxxxxxx part in National xxx xxxxx Championships xxx. Xxxxx this xxx weekend. xxxxxx #RDA50 xx xxxx#RDAChamps xxx xxxxxxx #dyspraxia x xx xxxxx.

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Out & About

Join the conversation @RDANational:

National News

@ZoeDanielle4. What a week-

Mental health first aid

Coming together in celebration Celebrations are in full swing across the UK for RDA’s 50th Anniversary, with many groups choosing to hold fundraisers, parties and riding events to mark this huge milestone.

Elysian RDA in Cambridgeshire put great effort in entering a float in Soham carnival using the theme of 50 years of RDA. Volunteers at the group came together to decorate the float by making a giant paper-mâché horse head. The float also showed photos and history of RDA and the group through the years, and was topped with apple trees bursting with golden apples. Children who ride with the group made paper flowers in their art lessons and contributed messages to put on the golden apples.

Ros James, group coach, said: “We didn’t win a prize for the float, but it was such great fun and we found three new sponsors for the group. We created two lollipop trees and hung messages from our supporters and participants on 50 golden apples. They were beautiful and it really helped raise the profile of RDA in Soham. All our volunteers got together in my garden to create the float. We are a small group, but everyone joined in and it was very social – a great bonding exercise and something a bit different away from the horses.”

Hope in the Valley RDA in Sussex also celebrated with a picnic ride, joining forces with Eastbourne RDA to enjoy a sunny afternoon ride in early July on the Ashdown Forest, thanks to the Chief Constable of Sussex Police who kindly invited the groups to use the Sussex Police training site at Kingstanding on the Ashdown Forest. The invitation came following his attendance at Hope in the Valley’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018 with HRH Princess Anne.

Liz Mills, honorary Secretary at Hope in the Valley RDA said: “After a lot of planning, five ponies, 13 riders and a lot of volunteers enjoyed a hack around the wonderful scenery of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty while parents enjoyed a picnic. Afterwards, all those who could joined a fascinating tour around the historic and modern-day Kingstanding training site. Our hosts could not have been more welcoming and helpful for what was a unique afternoon and a truly memorable visit for everyone involved.”

If you are planning celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of RDA and would like to share your event and photos with us, please contact Beth Randles on brandles@rda.org.uk

According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in six adults experiences a common mental health problem every week. Referrals of children and young people under 19 into mental health services have increased by 45% in the last two years. Mental health problems include work-related stress, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, self-harm, and dementia among many more. These problems are accompanied by symptoms that affect thinking, emotions, behaviour and physical functioning.

In response, RDA will be providing an e-learning course called 'Mental Health First Aid'. The purpose of the course is to help you recognise the symptoms of mental health problems and provide initial help.

The course will signpost you to professional help if necessary. You don’t have to be a mental health professional to be a useful support and a comfort to a child or adult in distress.

The Mental Health First Aid course will be available in September; an announcement will be made prior to its release.

On top of providing support to groups on mental health first aid, RDA is also taking steps to provide more activities for people with dementia. Currently, dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK and is likely to affect a million by 2025 (Alzheimer’s Society).

Animal-assisted activities have been named as a suitable intervention with people with dementia in revised guidance produced by NICE, the National Centre for Clinical Excellence in June 2019. Denise Robertson, RDA Head of Therapy, convened a meeting with RDA Cotswold Group and the RDA Avon Centre, that both offer different and distinct services to people with dementia. The meeting also welcomed a researcher and an experienced OT. Both services meet the main recommendations in the NICE guidance: that every effort is made to enable the person with dementia to make a choice about joining an activity that meets their interests, preferences and needs and that carers are also able to derive support from attending sessions.

Denise Robertson said: “We want to enable any RDA Group with an interest in developing a service for people with dementia. We had a very useful first meeting that identified what is currently happening, what training should be provided to Groups and the guidance they need to attract money to run these services via social prescribing and other funding streams.”

If you are interested in mental health first aid, mental health problems or have a specific interest in helping people with dementia, please email Denise: drobertson@rda.org.uk

@PegasusCentre Xxxxx x xxxx xxx Wexxxx are so xxxxx proud xxxx of xx ourxxvisually xxxxx xx impaired xxxxxxxxxxx riders, Freya xxxx xxxxxxx and Daniel, xxxxxxxx for achieving xxxxx xx 2nd x xxx, & 3rdxxxxxx place

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Out & About

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end riding @RDAnational champs 19 with #FairlightHall on fab Henna. #RDA #rdachamps19

New Coaching Pathway, have your say In 2016, the RDA community was asked to complete a survey on the Coaching Pathway. Fiona Harris, Coaching Manager, said: “There were over 500 responses to the online survey, which was fantastic.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete it. We have since continued to gain as much feedback as possible by running coaching forums up and down the country.”

The new Pathway took nearly 18 months to rework with over 100 coaches assisting to develop the new coaching pathway, along with new qualifications. Forums were organised to discuss plans and get initial feedback, with subsequent changes before the pathway was signed off by the Coaching Committee and RDA Board.

In October 2018 the new Coaching Pathway was launched at the Coaching Conference. Fiona said: “Nine months on we are really keen to gain insight, comments and outlooks on how you feel about the new coaching pathway. We recognise that some coaches will feel more comfortable with the changes than others, and some will have done more of the training than others. We have already received some feedback suggesting some changes to module content, but it would be extremely beneficial to hear if anyone else feels changes need to be made to help make the new pathway the best it can be.”

If you would like to leave some feedback on the Coaching Pathway, please contact Fiona Harris at fharris@rda.org.uk or complete the online survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ Coachingpathwayquestionnaire

TPICAP Global Executive Team muck in In June, members of TPICAP’s Global Executive Committee were welcomed to the National Training Centre, to help with

the final preparations prior to the official opening event. The team was given the task of clearing an area of the yard and repainting a stable block, which was completed in record time. They also met volunteers and saw an RDA session in action, before experiencing a ride on the mechanical horse ‘Charley’.

TPICAP generously funded the building of the new gallery and viewing deck at the RDA National Training Centre, which is known as the ICAP Gallery.

Get involved in vaulting

This year’s RDA Christmas Cards are available on the RDA shop at www.rdashop.org.uk

RDA is calling on more groups to get involved in vaulting. Lucy Stokes, Activities Coordinator at RDA UK said: “After another successful competition at this year’s Championships, where several groups took part for the first time, I hope this has inspired others to get involved. The competition involved a huge amount of team work between groups, all working together to help others achieve – groups joined up to form a regional team, even meeting up to practicing routines in back gardens. It really was a proud moment to watch it all come together.

"Although some routines may seem complex it is really easy to get involved – you don’t even need a horse! A vaulting barrel is a great way to introduce the discipline to your group and you can even compete at the National Champs on it.”

Vaulting coaching is being brought in line with the coaching pathway. This will create an easy-to-understand process of how vaulting is achievable at your group as a new activity. The pathway is currently out for consultation at group level and is aimed to launch 8 September 2019, at the National Open Forum, which will be held at the RDA National Training Centre in Warwickshire.

All are welcome to attend even if you are not currently involved with vaulting.

All designs are £4.90 with free postage on orders over £40!

DATES FOR THE DIARY:

Inner Wheel Charity of the Year Inner Wheel’s new President, Enid Law, has chosen RDA as the charity of the year for 2019-2020.

With over 14,000 members in GB and Ireland, Inner Wheel Clubs will be taking part in activities and events to support RDA Groups locally as well as RDA on a national level.

Sal Atkinson, RDA Fundraising Manager says: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Inner Wheel whose theme this year is ‘Together we Can’, which makes us a perfect match. We’d like to thank Enid Law for choosing to support us and we look forward to an exciting and busy year.”

Christmas cards - get yours now

Discounts are available to Groups ordering 10 or more packs for fundraising, and the discount form can be found in MyRDA.

National Open Forum – 8th September 2019 – RDA National Training Centre National Training – 6th December 2019 – Perry RDA (Cavalier Centre)

xxx in their xxx classes xxxxxxxx @RDAnational xxxx xx xx xxxxx Championships. xxxxxxx xxx@UsefulVision xxxxx xxx. Xxxxx #MorpethRDAGroup xxx xxxxxx xx xxxx #RDA50 xxx xxxxxxx #RDAChamps x xx xxxxx.

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Championships - 25 years

Sun shines on biggest National Championships Spirits were high at the RDA National Championships as over 500 competitors and a record-breaking 115 RDA groups gathered at Hartpury College for three days to remember.

C

rowds turned out on the opening day to welcome RDA’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who joined riders, volunteers and supporters to enjoy the competition and help celebrate RDA’s 50th anniversary. With film crews from Countryfile capturing highlights from the day – including a special anniversary parade – the atmosphere was set for a vintage championships year.

Friday’s competitions featured Carriage Driving, Showjumping, Dressage Pairs, Showing, Arts & Crafts, Horsecare & Knowledge as well as the first of three full days of Countryside Challenge and Best Turned Out. The Parade delighted

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visitors and included representatives from all RDA activities and disciplines and from each of RDA’s 18 Regions.

On Saturday the dressage began in earnest, as well as the Vaulting and Endurance competitions. There was great excitement as You Tube sensation This Esme visited the event to video content for her channel. She also met volunteers, handed out rosettes and even had a go on the vaulting barrel! Saturday saw the return of the Costume Dressage Freestyle, now a firm fixture in the schedule.

Anne Coney, Championships Chair said: “With the 50th anniversary as a focal point, it was a truly special Championships. Many more people

came along just to watch and soak up the atmosphere, and with record competitor numbers it really was a vintage year. The parade added a celebratory feel to our opening day, which seemed to last throughout the weekend. I am grateful to the outstanding team of volunteers who give their time to ensure the continued success and growth of The Championships each year.”

Abingdon RDA Coach India Collins-Davies summed up the experience when she wrote: “If I could bottle up the way RDA National Championships makes me feel and keep it all year round, I'd be the happiest person on earth.”

Championships - 25 years

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Results TROPHIES & SPECIAL AWARDS FRIDAY Carriage Driving Novice Ann Cameron & Ozzy Forth Driving Group Carriage Driving Intermediate Sandra Spinner & Jimmy Cherry Park Driving Group Carriage Driving Open Linda Farquhar & Ozzy Forth driving Group Emma Jane Brown Trophy Karen Bostock & Rossini IV Bobby & Jonquil Solt Trophy Yvonne Walton-Davies & Bonnie XVII 435 Quaver Trophy Toby Bevins & Askan Van Overis, Junior winner Flossie England & Muckrim Eamonn Ban Best Turned Out Junior: Kassia Amelia Dudek-McGee & Karibok Queen of Hearts from East Liverpool RDA Senior: Deborah Cayton Lee & Summer from Wakefield SEIB Search 4 a Star Showing Kayla Pratt & Hunky Dory from Stokesley

SATURDAY JM Finn Cup Natalie Anderson & Speckles from Abingdon Partially Visually Impaired Trophy Emma Hunter & Burleycroft Milo from Newcastle & District Bob Stanley Memorial Nicola Watson & Stefania from North Cornwall Capability Brown Paula Thomas & Welford Baxter from Penniwells Walker Trophy Anne Keynes & Delicato from Chard RDA Dorothy Augusta Jenkins Emma Hunter & Burleycroft Milo from Newcastle & District 73.24% Grove Farm Jester Memorial Challenge Tracey Steel & Johan’s Debut from Tyne & Wear Peggoty’s Challenge Carrie Hermitage & Geramiek from United Counties Midland Meat Packer’s Trophy Opal Lycett & Trust Bobby from Chigwell Dillon QC Annie Wordley & Brackenbank Flash Harry from West Lancs

Fred Trophy Perry RDA (horse was Stubbs) Stubbs Challenge Cup Eden Hays & Stubbs from Gaddesden Place Charlie Brown Trophy Holly Stuart & Boris from The Diamond Centre Mamby’s Murphy Trophy Vaulting Individual 17 Years & Over Lizzie Bennett & Bear from Cambridgeshire College Big Yin (Guinness) Great Bear, Clwyd Special Riding Centre Kirstie Foster Francesca Martin & Miss Ingenuity from Penniwells Catrona Bramble Joint 1st for Eleanor Halton & Charlie from Erme Valley & Emma Hawkin & Night Sky Shakira from North Cornwall Genevieve Raphael Berwickshire Group “An Eye on Progress” Arts & Crafts Trophy Zoe House from Fairlight Hall “The Remedy” Arts & Crafts 50th Anniversary Trophy - Sandhurst RDA “Bailey: 50 Reasons Why RDA is So Wonderful”

SUNDAY Hydewood Zelda Flis Marriott & Serafina Hit from North Cornwall Solt Jacqui Walker & Jack Daniels VI from Chigwell Imperial Flight Sharon Kelsall & Valentino from Cornilo Charley Dargie Courage Cup Laura Curson & Hunky Dory from Stokesley Barbara & John Ladbrooke Audrey Fallon & Chelsea Lad from The Diamond Centre Betty Kenneth Memorial Austen Burns & Hunky Dory from Newtownards Conference Cup Joint 1st Kassia Amelia Dudek-McGee & Karibok Queen of Hearts from East Liverpool RDA & Edith Cobb & Keano from Penniwells Philip James Hall Stephen Green & Maverick from Wenlow BSPS Championships W S Pettit Memorial Trophy Allanah Haker & Llanyfelin Seastorm from Belvoir Vale 94.25% Carl Hester Cup Opal Lycett & Trust Bobby from Chigwell 84.12%

Bob Galbreath Trophy Laura Curson & Hunky Dory from Stokesley 66.76% Grade 3 The Harvey Trophy Brandy from Penniwells Maggie Tansley Memorial Shield Llanyfelin Seastorm Belvoir Vale 94.25%

DAVID WHIGHAM COUNTRYSIDE

CHALLENGE TROPHIES FRIDAY Led with 1 sidewalker Sami Ul-Mustafa & Pilgrim Spellbinder from Riverside RDA Led or 1 sidewalker Andrew Swinbourn & Burleycroft Milo from Newcastle & District Independent: Mason Shiled Graham & Maeve from Morpeth Visually Impaired Emma Hunter & Burleycroft Milo from Newcastle & District

SATURDAY Led with 1 sidewalker: Allanah Haker & Llanyfelin Seastorm from Belvoir Vale Led or 1 sidewalker: Elijah DiorioWatson & Lady Marsha from Newbury Independent: Karen Dunne & Blaze from Pendle Visually Impaired: Kirsty Laing & Charlie from Wenlo

SUNDAY Led with 1 sidewalker Martin Stewart & Ebony from Erme Valley Led or 1 sidewalker Elodie Syndercombe & Boycie from Barrow Farm Independent Annie Wordley & Brackenbank Flash Harry Visually Impaired Stephen Green & Charlie from Wenlo

DANCE TROPHIES Saturday Shera Aurora & Mabel from South Buckinghamshire RDA Sunday Jacqui Walker & Jack Daniels VI from Chigwell 73.95% Sharon Thompson Cup Tanis Hand – Lowlands Farm RDA Pat Straughan Medal Annie Powell – Wellow

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Championships - 25 years

National Treasure As The RDA National Championships reaches its 25th anniversary at Hartpury College, we find out how it all began – and how it developed into the biggest event of its kind in the world.

A

n invitation by Lady Astor in 1978 resulted in the first led-dressage event at Hever Castle, Kent, with 30 competitors.

An account in The Spirit of RDA reads: “Tessa Martin-Bird wrote a simple led Dressage Test which she and Verona Kitson judged.” The account goes on to say: “History was made and everyone had a great day out.

It became an annual event.”

In 1981 (the International Year of Disabled People), the RDA dressage competition was held alongside the Pony Club Championships at Stoneleigh for the first time. Jonquil Solt helped to organise that first year and in The Spirit of RDA she recalls: “Peter Felgate brought a party up from Bradbourne and it was a wonderful day. There was no doubt that dressage was here to stay.”

In 1990 RDA decided to ‘go it alone’, holding its own event first at Stoneleigh Park and then at Moreton Morrell College. The step change came in 1994, the first year The Championships was held at Hartpury College Gloucestershire: the start of a 25-year relationship with the College.

It should be said the tireless work of those early pioneers kick-started the whole para-dressage movement, not

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only Jonquil Solt, Verona Kitson and Peter Felgate, but also Phoebe Stewart, Pat Manning, Judith Walker, Jane Houghton-Brown, Di Redfern and Sister Chiara. Jonquil travelled the world drumming up interest and enthusiasm for international competitions; their work led directly to the inclusion of Para Equestrian Dressage in the Paralympics, which happened for the first time in Atlanta 1996.

COUNTRYSIDE CHALLENGE The '80s also saw the development of the RDA Working Pony and Rider Competition into the Countryside Challenge as it is today. "I remember doodling this idea at a training committee meeting at Stoneleigh," says Sally Campbell-Gray, RDA Honorary Life Vice-President. "The East Region decided to plan a course for our Regional Event. It was a progression of riding skills with a meaning and a purpose, requiring balance, coordination and concentration by the rider rather than the previous rather arbitrary series of obstacles, which was more like a police training course.”

As in today’s Countryside Challenge, each obstacle could be used individually at Group level to practice a specific skill, and involved good leading and side helping so the rider could perform the movements with as much independence as possible. "The course was built from basic equipment provided by Sportsmark, with colourful flowers provided by local suppliers."

Sally says one of her main rewards after 50 years at RDA is to see how the

Countryside Challenge has evolved: "Judith Walker helped me introduce it at the Championships at Hartpury.

Ro Pudden became involved several years later and we had great fun. I am very proud of this contribution to RDA competitions, which continues with Sue Mack at the helm.”

25 YEARS AT HARTPURY It's changed over the years immensely," recalls Doug Smith, Championships Chair from 2003 to 2013. "In the early 1990s, it was a lovely competition, but basically dressage for those that could.

I was the car park attendant." At this time the weekend event at Hartpury involved an international competition on Saturday, and the RDA National Championships on Sunday. By the late '90s the international element was being held at another time, leaving the RDA Championships to develop over the two days.

While these developments were evolving, Doug had the opportunity to help on the yard team as one of the deputy yard managers for the Paralympics in Atlanta, then again as Yard Manager at the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, seeing first-hand how they encouraged and supported volunteers and made an event of it. These experiences stood him in good stead when, later that year, he was offered the job of Championships Chair for RDA. The competition had grown to the point where the organisers were considering outsourcing it to a professional events company. As Doug recalls: "That's when Ralph Butler and Kay Woodcock (from RDA National Office) took me to

13

Championships - 25 years

lunch at the local golf club to discuss an alternative solution. I still remember when they pondered what nut would run it? I stopped laughing when I realised they thought I might do it!"

Doug said yes, on one condition: "I spoke to the then Chief Executive, and said: 'If you just leave it as a competition, you will lose the event. If you make it an event, you'll preserve the competition'. And I still believe that, to this day."Doug went on the promotion trail, giving talks about the championships and inviting people to 'just come and look', and that's how it grew. The first year saw 80 competitors and within five years it was 400+. "I remember with pride the first year we had all 18 regions represented," he said.

THE FRIENDLY COMPETITION Today, The Championships is run over three days and includes classes in Endurance, Showjumping, Best Turned Out, Horsecare & Knowledge, Showing and Arts & Crafts. The event has started the careers of legendary Paralympians including Sophie Christiansen and Natasha Baker, and played host to RDA President Princess Anne as well as celebrities Clare Balding, Carl Hester and actor Anthony Head.

Doug sees the present-day Champs as two events in one: the RDA annual Horse of the Year show, and a family gathering. And it's not just about the

“

It’s fantastic to host the RDA National Championships at Hartpury. We’ve seen the event grow each year, and we look forward to working together on future events and developments.

This year was another successful event, showcasing the talents of para-riders at all levels, and inspiring new confidence for future achievements.

Phillip Cheetham, Equine Director, Hartpury University and Hartpury College

”

competition. As he comments: "I love the way there's no rude staring. There's no self-conscious averting of the eyes.

It is genuine interest. And people will openly and freely discuss disability. And the disco! I had to push hard early on, because it was a bit of a non-event. But now you'll get people with disabilities dancing with people without disabilities and having a wonderful time."

The event may have grown immeasurably over the decades, but the atmosphere endures. Current Championships Chair Anne Coney says "the friendliest and happiest show I've ever been to continues to grow, with this year's event hosting more than 500 competitors, 200+

“

"We are proud of our partnership with the RDA. It was an easy decision to begin our sponsorship seven years ago when we saw the impact having access to RDA horses and coaches made to individual riders and their families. Every year at the Nationals we see amazing examples of courage, ambition, tenacity and teamwork.

We’re delighted we are both celebrating our 50th anniversaries this year."

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volunteers and 264 horses!"

Anne started at The Championships 16 years ago, on bus duty. Continuing to create the best atmosphere at the championships is her focus: "I want the riders to be relaxed and do a good job. The Champs is one way to give something back to the Groups, because the Groups are the RDA. They do a phenomenal job, and the RDA family always helps one another, whether with replacement horses, extra transportation or simply a piece of tack. The atmosphere at Champs is wonderful!"

And there you have it. The RDA Champs at its quarter-centenary, ever evolving, peculiarly unique – and set for the next 25!

“

We have attended the RDA Championships with our trade stand since the first event. Many of our customers have collected the Championships merchandise, which have become collectors items! Fiona is a BHSI and Coach and this has helped with our understanding of our customers needs. We are proud to support RDA and we hope to do so for many years to come.

”

Richard and Fiona of Wainwright Screenprint & Embroidery

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Horse Talk

Horse Talk Although some people seem to ‘just know’ what their horse is saying, they are actually picking up movements and signals that we can all look out for. Spend a bit of time watching horses and you might be surprised how much they have to tell you.

"U

© Louise Clarke

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nderstanding horses' behaviour and how that relates to what they're experiencing and thinking, and then using that to inform our interactions with them is one of the most important things anyone who works with horses should be developing," says Jen Wathan, an animal behaviourist who is now Global Animal Welfare Advisor at Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys. “Within the RDA setting, whether people are riding, or just interacting with the horses, it's so important we read the horse's reactions."

However, taking time to learn this horse ‘language’ can be easier said than done, especially for RDA riders and

Horse Talk

a bit of uncertainty, and it might have to stand still for quite a long time. " "This horse came up to the mounting block, and as the rider was coming up the mounting block the horse started to fidget, and the handler gave the horse a reassuring pat on the neck and said, 'It's okay'. The horse sensed it and the rider got on and they walked off calmly. In the next lesson, the same horse came up to the mounting block, there was a different rider and different leader at the horse's head. When the horse started to fidget, there was a different reaction. The leader told it to 'Stand up and behave.' The horse then had to give a louder cue, a stronger communication, and forcefully walked away from the mounting block before the rider was on, only to be brought back around and start again, at which point, everyone was more anxious. It's such a simple thing, but I thought, the difference in the way the leader read that situation made such a difference to how that lesson started."

Jen Wathan

volunteers who may only be with horses for the duration of a lesson. Added to which, some people 'read' a horse without realising it, which can make it difficult to teach the skill to others. Jen agrees: "Experienced horse people react to horses' very subtle interactions – such as a lift of a nostril corner – and will step back and de-escalate that situation.

They realise the horse is starting to get mildly annoyed or 'something', but they can't necessarily say that that's what they've reacted to, or even know that they've reacted to something, because it's so natural."

LANGUAGE LESSONS Jen’s work at The Brooke has involved developing various methods to teach horse behaviour and human interactions – always from the starting point of compassion and understanding. "We video animals and people, and discuss it. It is such a valuable tool, and I wonder if RDA groups could benefit within their training from video interaction and reactions, watching them and discussing ‘what happened there?’

‘What didn't happen?’"

As well as her work at The Brooke, Jen has long been a volunteer at RDA, and has first-hand experience of the kinds of situations groups face that could provide a useful platform for

15

learning. She recalls one particular session: "The first time it happened was when the rider was getting on, which I think is one of the more stressful times at the session, because there's more people around the horse. There's change happening, the horse doesn't necessarily know who's getting on or how it's happening. There's a bit of anticipation,

LEARNED BEHAVIOURS Sarah Healing, Coach at Penniwells RDA and Regional Coach for Greater London, explains why it’s important to make time for everyone to become familiar with how horses behave: “We have some schools from London where the kids don't even have a garden.

Two-way street ‘Listening’ to what our horses are trying to tell us through their body language is definitely important.

But to understand the full picture you have to realise that they are ‘listening’ to our body language too. It’s a two-way conversation and horses are brilliant at it!

The horse is reading us like a book from the minute we enter their presence, which means we must strive to be aware of the messages we are sending to them.

As Sarah and Jen have both witnessed, how we act has a huge influence on a horse’s behaviour.

It was drilled into me by some highly talented horse people

that ‘if you can’t control yourself, what chance have you got of controlling a horse?’

I am convinced that people with empathy are good with both humans and animals because they are aware of not only the messages they are sending but also those they are receiving.

This is why RDA is so beneficial to all concerned. Done well, you have a virtuous circle that brings out the best in the horse, delivers a great experience for the rider and helps the volunteer to develop invaluable skills.

Doug Smith, RDA Equine Lead

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Horse Talk

They might live in a high-rise block in the middle of London and their play area is concrete. They come out and they've never seen a pony. They've never touched a pony. They have no concept of how to treat it, what it might do. That's quite an eye opener. They need time to understand it’s a living animal, and to learn what it does and what makes it tick.”

Similarly, among both new volunteers and riders there can be an assumption that RDA horses don’t behave like others. "We always say to people, if you don't want to fall off,

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you don't get on a horse because we can never guarantee something's not going to happen. People are a bit naïve sometimes and think because it's RDA it's going to be safer than a 'normal' pony. They don't seem to understand that these are normal ponies!”

At Penniwells, training volunteers is a great place to start, and Sarah takes a characteristically practical approach. "It's all hands-on! We'll take inexperienced leaders into the arena and show them how the horses react, the faces they pull." Echoing Jen’s experience, she reflects that people who

are rough then get attitude back from the ponies or they get "a bit whizzy" with them on the lead rein.

PERSONALITY TRAITS While there may be some general things to look out for, when it comes to learning horse behaviour, Sarah and Jen both agree that it comes down to the individual horse and the situation they are in. Even seemingly wellknown behaviours can be misleading, as Jen found when she came across a study that showed horses putting their ears back in a positive situation.

Horse Talk

"Everyone associates ears back with negative. But in certain conditions, that's not necessarily true. We've just got to be so open to learning."

For Jen, the skill lies in looking at, and appraising, each situation and figuring out what matters to that animal in that situation: What are they experiencing and how does that make them react?

Is it good or bad and how can you influence it? “Horses are always doing something for a reason,” she says. “And you've got to stop and think: Why is that animal doing that? What is it that they're trying to tell me? We mustn't assume we know what these animals are thinking. We must always be open to learning new things and potentially realising we need to do something differently in the future. It's about trying to understand the subtle cues.”

Sarah adds that it's also important to realise horses respond differently to different types of people and personality: "Not every horse suits every rider,” she says. And similarly: “We've got some horses we won't let some of the volunteers lead, because

17

they just don't gel. It's almost like having two teenagers rubbing each other up the wrong way."

LISTENING SKILLS Taking time to understand our horses isn’t always easy in an RDA context, with lots going on, a busy schedule of lessons and many riders only able to stay for a short time, but it can pay dividends. General welfare is the most important of course. By understanding how a horse behaves when it is relaxed and happy, it’s easier to identify when it is not – or to spot a health problem early. Jen’s research has shown that trainers who try to understand the animal have better long-term results and Sarah has first-hand experience of the importance of listening to horses.

"The ponies do try to tell us things,” she says. “One pony called Jasper would sometimes stand still and wouldn't move. If the volunteer didn't know what he was doing they'd think he was just being lazy and they'd try and make him walk on, but we would just see the expression in his eyes and he

Sarah Healing

was saying to us that we had about 10 seconds, and then you just knew that rider was going to have an epileptic fit.

It was not a coincidence. It happened regular enough for it to be proven. He knew. They have that sixth sense and know a lot more than people give them credit for. We just need to listen."

01904 373002 admin@horseplayltd.co.uk Horseplays follow up from the RDA National Championships

This space is available!

Please contact Catherine by calling 01536 527297 or emailing cbaldock@rda.org.uk

We love returning to the RDA National Championships every year, but this year was a special year for ourself. After installing multiple rider hoists across the country we got the chance to see just how much RDA centres for example - Saxon Group RDA really benefit from our hoist, this particular group could not have competed at the championships if it wasn’t for our hoist, they mounted their riders so fast and easily, which makes our job so worth while.

If you are a RDA Group or an individual looking for a simple mounting solution, then please get in touch.

We are always happy to help.

www.horseplayltd.co.uk rda.org.uk

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50 years of helping hands

50 years of helping hands For as long as there has been RDA, there have been volunteers. Whether in the early days, when helpers and coaches had to work everything out for themselves, or today when social media encourages the next generation of support, the essence of volunteering remains the same: delivering a great experience to riders and drivers – and having a lot of fun along the way. We visited Abingdon RDA in Oxfordshire, to find out how the world of volunteering has changed over the years. rda.org.uk

50 years of helping hands

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Ann Barlow

“

It was quite an initiation into RDA!

"W

hen I think about when we started 44 years ago, we had such fun!" says Ann Barlow, recalling early times at Abingdon RDA. Ann was born and raised in Kenya, moving back to the UK with her husband and four children in 1966. A good friend had told her about RDA, so when she was looking for an ‘escape’ from the kids in 1975, she sought out her local group.

In fact, a new group was being formed not far away, so Ann and a band of other potential helpers turned up to find out more “It was quite an initiation into RDA!” says Ann. After watching a chaotic session involving a 13hh pony careering round the school, one of the potential volunteers turned to Ann and said: “One thing’s for certain:

I am not getting involved in this.”

Ann completely agreed. They both did get involved, of course. By September 1975, Ann was Chairman of the newly formed Oxford & District group, and her fellow recruit eventually became her yard manager.

The group started out with two or three riders who came each week from the Oxford Handicapped Centre.

“We had to go and pick them up,” explains Ann. “They would often want to go to the shops or the cash point as well, so the whole thing could take an afternoon.”

FINDING THEIR FEET At that time, volunteers like Ann had to experiment with ideas and techniques for meeting riders’ needs,

Abingdon RDA coaches Alice Summersbee (L) and India Collins-Davies

”

sharing knowledge and expertise with one another based on what they found worked (and what didn’t!).

This knowledge later became crystallised in training and qualifications programmes, but in the meantime, they relied on “a bit of guess work and hoping for the best.”

Recruiting volunteers happened organically, without specific effort, and the team that grew became firm friends. Most volunteers were women at a similar stage to Ann. “There were all sorts and some really eccentric people. In the summer holidays everyone just brought their kids with them,” says Ann. Like many groups, Abingdon (which changed its name from Oxford & District in 1976) didn’t

India Collins-Davies

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50 years of helping hands

With no formal training, the group relied on the existing knowledge of volunteers and everyone learned as they went along. There was no shortage of expertise, however.

The group was supported by an Australian physiotherapist, Sandy Campbell, and an inspirational coach called Pam Delnege. “She had amazing knowledge of horses, she really understood them,” says Ann. “She got us through bad times and I only heard her raise her voice once.”

With characteristic modesty, Ann insists she has no idea how she ended up in charge. “Everything just happened,” she says. But what the group lacked in professionalism, it made up for in determination, and despite the emphasis on fun, there was certainly no lack of ambition. In 1989, after a fundraising appeal and search for suitable land, the group opened a purpose-built centre at its current home in Southmoor. “It’s built on an old rubbish tip,” says Ann. “There’s a grand piano under the outdoor school!”

Alice Summersbee

ADAPTING TO CHANGE

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It's like a huge family.

start out with its own premises, and resourcefulness was called for on many occasions as Ann recalls, "There was one time when we simply had nowhere to go, so I had a pony called Marmalade living in the garden.

The children and volunteers did stable management with him in my hall!"

FIRM FOUNDATIONS Looking back, there is one element

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”

that strikes Ann particularly about herself and her fellow volunteers: “From the volunteer point of view, in those early days we had little or no idea of the enormous value of horse riding for disabled people.

It lifted the spirits of the disabled, thus creating helpers who knew they were doing something of benefit to people, particularly adults, who lived very difficult and mundane lives.”

Fast forward to 2019 and although Abingdon is still at its home in Southmoor, there have been plenty of changes. Today, they have around 100 riders and own 13 horses. Benefiting from the development of the wider organisation, participants attend RDA holidays, work towards competitions and Proficiency Tests and - in contrast to 40 years ago - the group now uses the RDA Tracker to better understand the impact of its activities.

Like the wider organisation, Abingdon has responded and adapted to social change, as Ann explains: “Volunteers have to be so much more on the ball because of the different breakdown of riders." She adds: "All the children were in special schools when we started out. The group now works across many spectrums including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and brain injury."

Demand has changed, and they receive many more enquiries about places for young people with autism.

RENEWED ENERGY Over 140 volunteers now regularly give time to the group. These days, there is a bit less ‘hoping for the best’

50 years of helping hands

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and all volunteers receive training - including regional and national training days and e-learning. The group now attracts volunteers of all ages, and 15% are under 25 (the national average for RDA is 10%).

“It’s like a huge family,” says Ann. Among this next generation are Abingdon Coaches Alice Summersbee and India Collins-Davies. Both in their early 20s, they met and have become great friends through volunteering. As Ann says: "That's part of what RDA is about, making friends, and confidence building."

The pair are ambitious for themselves and their group and want to give as much time as they can to RDA, as India explains: “I'd like to spend the next few years learning as much as possible about pretty much everything to do with RDA.” But like many volunteers these days, India and Alice both work, and as Abingdon and other groups are finding, this means changing the way training is delivered.

“For people like me and Alice who are both coaches and 'young professionals' with day jobs, I'd like to see training/ CPD/networking events set up on evenings, weekends, during school holidays,” she says.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE Alongside traditional RDA activities, there are new skills to master too. India and Alice run the group’s social media channels and they find it offers a direct route to potential new volunteers and riders. "Our Instagram page is really helping to make the impression our group is 'young volunteer friendly',” says India. “We've had a couple of youngsters turn up to start helping, saying 'Oh yes, I follow you on Instagram'!" Just as Ann’s volunteer numbers grew organically through her local network 40 years ago, social media is helping them reach out to new people, Alice explains: "We have some fabulous young volunteers who are spreading that word for us, and we are getting friends of friends etc."

For Alice and India, the attitude of the group’s volunteers is also a vital part of its future success.

“I’m working with a trainee coach who is nearly three times my age, so not 'young' but most definitely

'young minded'," says Alice, who is passionate about the need to adapt for RDA to survive and thrive. “I see encouraging a change in thinking to modern ways as just as important as sourcing the next generation of volunteers. We need both!"

FUTURE PROOFING After 44 years with RDA, Ann is still as driven as ever, and with the new energy of volunteers like Alice and India there is no end to the group’s ambitions.

Abingdon's latest project 'Raise the Roof' aims to raise over £100,000 to build a full-size, fully accessible indoor arena at its existing Oxfordshire home.

When completed (the ground work has been done), the new indoor arena will be connected to the existing building via a safe pathway, and will offer

accessible ramps, all-weather surfacing and sound system. It will be a year-round facility, enabling better training for external competitions including working with internationally reputed coaches, and hosting training days for riders from surrounding counties.

The volunteering landscape has certainly changed at Abingdon over the years, as it has across the organisation. By adapting, modernising and continuing to inspire the next generation, the group is in a strong position to meet the future head on. As Ann says: "With more than four decades of experience of how horses can enrich lives, we want to continue to dream big and improve the experience we can offer to our present and future riders."

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Profile: Colin Duthie

One heck of a rollercoaster How RDA fuelled a fresh start for Colin Duthie THE GOOD NEWS "I could stand, but I wasn't really that good at walking. I remember being manhandled, flung around a bit, and was somehow got onto Oddie the Palomino. Next thing I knew we were walking to a field and I was on the back of a horse and getting that movement. It was just incredible. The feeling was simply profound and it made me feel alive. That's what RDA has done for me."

The year was 1994, and the 30-year old Colin Duthie was on a horse. That might not seem profound, except that 10 years previously, Colin was waiting at a roundabout on his motorbike when a lorry hit the bike, and he was dragged under the lorry, leaving both legs barely attached to his body. Doctors reattached both legs, but gangrene would later develop in his right leg.

In his typically open way, Colin tells it like it is: "So I was lying in my hospital bed. I've just regained consciousness and the surgeon's more or less said there was good news and bad news. I was like okay, give me the good news. He said, 'We can save your life. That's the good news. The bad news is to do that we're going to have to amputate your leg above the knee.' And I said, 'How long have I got?' They said, 'You've got minutes, maybe hours, but really minutes.' Now think if you were me and had to make that decision."

Colin took overnight to make the decision to go ahead with the amputation. "It took me overnight, because you know what? I wanted to die. I had no comprehension of how to live with my injuries." And then he adds: "I've got my left leg, but it's not in a good way, never was in a good way.

But it's still working. And after I came

rda.org.uk

out of the hospital was when I started riding. You have to use your leg when you're riding."

LOST AND FOUND And riding is not all he's done. Having made the decision to live even if it meant losing a leg, Colin has competed for Great Britain, hand-cycled 350 miles around Israel while fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, finished the Ben Nevis Challenge as Team Leader of the Artemis Mountain Misfits (wheelchair climb ascending Ben Nevis), and founded the South Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club, where all players have tetra/quadriplegia or life-limiting conditions.

Along that adventurous way, while his physical health has generally been

good, there have been mental health challenges amid positive support.

"After I left the hospital, reality set in," Colin says. "I'd lost my right leg, my left leg doesn't work very well.

I lost my job, I lost my motorcycles, I lost my car, I lost some of my friends."

And then he adds: "The one thing that I did keep is my wife, my family and my true friends, which is wonderful." He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Julie, who he freely admits has saved his life over the years, and the couple have two adult sons, Ian and Stuart.

Colin's involvement with RDA was initiated by Julie, hoping horses would be therapeutic. He's never forgotten his first experience at the RDA group, when a little girl come up to him.

"I was in my wheelchair, and she stood in front of me and asked: 'Where's your

Profile: Colin Duthie

“

I love canter, love that freedom, I feel like a cowboy

23

”

Colin Duthie, Chairman of Carrick RDA

leg?' And I panicked! I was like, 'Oh I don't know!' And she asked 'Is that sore?' I said, 'Yes, but I'm okay.' So she says 'Okay, that's good.' However, she wasn't finished. I'd told her I'd been run over by the lorry and ten minutes later she came back and said: 'Can I ask you another question? What colour was the lorry?' That was my first experience of RDA and it was full of laughter.. that girl didn't care whether I had a leg, messed up or not. She just wanted to know the colour of the truck."

KIND OF A WHACK FEELING Despite his involvement with RDA, and many other challenging activities, Colin still craved that adrenalin rush he remembered from his early motorbike days. And he's finally found a way to get it through Disability Motorsport Scotland (DMS), which he helped establish, and which offers free motorsport taster sessions to disabled individuals, as drivers and passengers.

DMS became a fully registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in 2016, and Colin is also a trustee and the first disabled driver to race for DMS in Superlap Scotland at Knockhill race circuit.

"When we started off, we spent £4000 on a really old Audi, then took it to Robert, who developed it and turned it into a race car, which we called DMS1," explains Colin. "Then we put it out there and asked if anybody would like a shot? In 2018,

we had our first full season and we had 66 people with a disability in the race car last year. And it's been hard work, but it's been so worth it."

Colin adds that it's not just about people with a disability getting the chance to drive, as he's a firm believer there are many other facets to it. "We've got some people who have very complex needs who just cannot drive a car. So we offer them the passenger ride, and we go very fast in the car – but always to the degree they're comfortable. We'll always be guided by our guests."

If guests can drive, then they will be coached. Colin is still the only registered Level 2 motor sport coach, with a disability, in the UK. He finds

that shocking: "There should be a lot more people like me doing that role.

But it's quite a difficult role to do if you're not confident in that area."

And Colin is nothing if not confident, and finds humour in most situations, such as typical first encounters with coaching lesson groups: "It's quite funny, because when people turn up for the coaching and I walk towards them, the first thing they always say is: 'Oh, are you here for a shot too?' And I'm like, 'No, I'm the coach'. And they go: 'What, you mean you're the coach?

But you're the same as me, mate. You've got a leg missing like I've got a leg missing.' And I say 'Yeah, but you can be a coach too.' 'What?!' And that's like

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Profile: Colin Duthie

the RDA, it's a boom, a kind of whack feeling. It's quite an eye-opener."

ARE YOU DISABLED? Colin doesn't wear a leg prosthesis.

As he explains: "When they told me that they were taking my leg off... you know there's no return from that. It's gone forever. So I started wearing an artificial leg to use after the accident, but I kept taking it off every time I went to the horse. I would never ride a horse with an above-knee amputation with a prosthetic leg. That would be ludicrous. There's just no way you could. So I would take the leg off, and I've never rode with a leg since."

He found it agony to wear the prosthesis in daily life, and one day sat with his wife and two young boys, who were not yet teenagers, and asked Julie if she minded if he didn't wear that leg. As Colin explains: "She said, 'I don't care. I love you. I don't love the leg.' And I asked my two sons if they would mind if daddy doesn't wear this thing, and they were don't care." Then he adds: "One of my sons went away for a few hours, then came back and asked: 'Dad can I ask you a question?

Are you disabled?' My sons do not understand the concept of disability.

They see people for who they are."

HARDEST WORKING RACE CAR Colin believes 'DMS is on track for good mental health': "We really help people with mental health. We're extremely proud of that, and we all feel privileged to be able to do what we do. And we're all volunteers, nobody's paid." Disability Motorsport Scotland is a registered club within Motorsport UK, and the first Motorsport Inclusion Training (MIT) was in July at East Ayrshire Car Club’s new classroom facility based at Kames Race Track.

DMS has two cars, and as Colin remarks, the Audi is "probably the hardest working race car in the UK – because how many race cars do you know have had over 100 people in it?"

The second car is a smaller-engined car for people who are nervous and anxious because, as Colin points out, it's not ideal to put them straight away into the 300 bhp Audi. Instead, they get an opportunity in the small car, on the racetrack, then advance to the bigger car if they want to, and Colin takes them gently through the motions.

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Profile: Colin Duthie

“ "It's like going from walk to canter," he laughs. "It's like the first time you get that feeling under you, I love canter, love that freedom, I feel like a cowboy.

And that's what our guests get in the car – they go from walk to canter, and some people want to gallop!"

HIGH-OCTANE MINDFULNESS He is a firm believer that life without a risk is not worth living at all, qualifying that he doesn't mean an uncalculated risk: "You calculate that risk, put all the safety parameters in place that you can, and that allows you to take that risk to a degree that is relatively safe."

He adds: "I am here to be alive.

When you've been dead a couple of times you'll push yourself. People get very complacent about breathing.

You woke up this morning and you took a breath and you had your tea, your coffee, and your breakfast. And I bet you didn't think this morning when you woke up, wow that was a fantastic breath I just took. We all just complacently waken up and take a breath and exhale, take a breath and exhale. But nothing you do today will be more important than what you did when you woke up and took a breath.

It's very easy for people to forget that. I don't. Every morning I wake up, wake with mindfulness, and get myself in the right place."

He adds: "My mental health is really

It's a boom, a kind of whack feeling!

good, but it would be very easy for my health to revert back to another place. That's why I do mindfulness, but I'm very privileged that I accept my weaknesses. I accept the fear. The hashtag 'high-octane mindfulness' is used a lot because when you're on a horse or in a race car you absolutely have no disability. You're not black.

You're not white. You're not thin. You're not fat. Not this, not that. You've got to be on it. Do you know what I mean? You have to think about what you're doing when you're in the car controlling it. So everything that is wrong with life disappears instantly."

He took the Audi out racing in

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”

2017 and came 4th, and was the first disabled person to race in in the Super Lap Scotland Championships: "When I turned up in a wheelchair and got into the race car, it was very much the 'Aw!' factor, as in 'Look at that poor man with the leg missing..' and then watch me beat them on a horse or in a race car."

Colin is now Chairman of Carrick RDA. "That's where my life started again.

The last 35 years have been one heck of a rollercoaster – but I’d rather have the ups and downs than going nowhere."

And in a comment that so accurately reflects his rollercoaster life, Colin says: "I love challenging myself – and other people, too."

rda.org.uk

26

Out & About

Join the conversation @RDANational:

@TheParaRiderMD What a unforgettable weekend at @HartpuryEquine

Out & About F

rom across all UK regions, here are tales of how teamwork is reflecting the 'Can Do' RDA spirit!

Teamwork realises dreams

I

n March, our GB Special Olympic Equestrian Team competed in the World Special Olympic Games in Abu Dhabi. The equestrian team's six riders included two from Aberdeenshire - Kristen Wrate and Marie Stuart.

Every team member did brilliantly and all came back with medals! They showed great courage in competing strange horses, and were inspirational in their ability to adapt to new situations.

However, I believe one of the main benefits of the experience was being part of a team. It was lovely to hear the athletes talking proudly about 'my team mates', and fabulous to see how they soon realised the importance of their role as a team mate, and how their actions could affect others. They were all quickly able to help and support each other, such as packing for

the next day, cheering another up if a little homesick or helping each other (and us coaches!) with photographs and selfies.

It was also fabulous to be part of the larger GB team of 128 athletes from other sports. The striking GB team kit gave a great sense of belonging, and it was wonderful to share experiences and gain new friends with athletes from other sports and teams from other countries.

Walking into the opening ceremony with 55,000 people clapping and cheering, with the 128 GB team members chanting: 'Let’s go GB, let’s go!' was an amazing and proud moment for everyone.

Julia Gourlay, RDA coach and TEAM GB equestrian team coach for the Special Olympics. Grampian and Highlands

@Selina1983 This charity has enabled our daughter so amazingly, I cannot praise them highly enough. Any support offered

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over past few days. So very lucky to be part of @RDAnational National Championships this year

“

It was lovely to hear the athletes talking proudly about 'my team mates'

”

Best thirty minutes

A

t West Lothian RDA we’re often asked how we make our lessons the best 30 minutes of the week for our participants: How do you fund what you do?

We throw ourselves off the Forth Rail Bridge (rope attached), cycle between Glasgow and Edinburgh, run marathons, bake (and scoff!) cakes. We commit hours to filling out fundraising applications to make it happen.

What happens when you have no power or running water and the snow makes life that bit tougher? This happens often! We have a fantastic volunteers who work through the long winter days and sometimes nights, caring for the horses and preparing the venue for the new season. We buck the RDA trend as more than 50% of our volunteers are under 18!

What happens when tragedy strikes? At the beginning of the

2019 season we lost our muchloved horses Daisy, Jack and Rosie to grass sickness. We grieve together, but most of all we work harder to ensure their memory is never forgotten.

Who makes it all work? A dedicated team of committed volunteers, parents,

Competition brings out the best

C

ompetition. A word that can fill riders with excitement and the rest of us here at the Elisabeth Curtis Centre with dread. Dread, because we know that with competition comes hard work!

Four ponies were entered in the RDA Regional Qualifiers, and duties ranged from arranging transport, preparing our travel equipment and tack and ensuring the chosen ponies looked the part.

The day before the competition was a normal Saturday, which meant sessions were held in the morning, so our hard work started after the last ride finished.

Three people were on bathing duty, four on tack cleaning and a groom running around trying to help all who asked!

trustees, well-wishers and fundraisers and, of course, the horses!

Throughout the year we never stop striving to make this 30 minutes the best of the week.

Rhona Douglas, outgoing Group Chairman. Edinburgh & Borders

After all the ponies were bathed and drying off with their posh rugs on, our lead coach for the day started the arduous task of plaiting up. She did this in the evening so we had less to worry about the following morning. It was pretty amazing watching the ponies go through the whole process, coming out the other side looking so spectacular one would have thought they were off the HOYS! Show morning arrived, and after a quick tail wash and brisk brush off, the ponies were loaded into hired horseboxes and off they went to impress us all.

Our riders and ponies did the centre proud and all looked exceptional. Two riders qualified for the Nationals at Hartpury.

Anna Gillespie, Groom at the Elisabeth Curtis Centre. East

means so much to the people who receive the opportunities to ride, when in any other situation they may not be able.

rda.org.uk

28

Out & About

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@edrda Massive thanks to @TrefoilGuild for supporting @RDAnational

Fierce support

T

eam work is definitely our strong point, and our riders and drivers fiercely support one another. This shone through at Windsor Horse Show, where the coming together of volunteers, parents, coaches, riders and drivers led to such a success despite the pouring rain. We won the fancy dress competition, and got second place in the driving class, which we are proud of as a new driving

group. None of this is possible without our horses and ponies, the key members of the team. Our teamwork was also at its best for the regional competition, with several riders qualifying for the National championships; this will really test our ability to work together. Our rider Philippa calmly helped everyone else, settling them, explaining everything and ensuring they were happy before thinking of herself. This is typical in our Park Lane family: those that can will help those that can't – that way, we all succeed. Recently, the closeness of our team has been very important as Katie, one of our riders, passed away.

She was part of our RDA family, attending sessions twice a week in wind, rain, hail, snow. Her favourite horse was Eddy, and they had clocked up 19km on the endurance league.

Their teamwork and partnership brought joy to Katie, and she will be missed deeply by the team at Park Lane RDA. Natalie O’Rourke, Park Lane RDA. Greater London

Off to the Champs

T

he RDA North Region Qualifiers, at the Pegasus Centre (home of the Morpeth RDA Group), was a fantastic day for participants, volunteers and supporters alike, ahead of the National Championships at Hartpury.

Active Northumberland, the charitable trust that manages the Pegasus Centre and other leisure services across the county, has been supportive of RDA, working alongside volunteers from the Morpeth RDA group in the day's preparations and activities.

An amazing amount of work was done

by RDA Morpeth volunteers and Active Northumberland staff in the months preceding the competition to ensure the Centre was in tiptop condition to host the event. Volunteers from other groups across the region, Northumberland, Cumbria, Tyne & Wear joined them on the

day enabling the North Region to deliver an excellent Regional Qualifier.

Special thanks is given to the judges: Showjumping, Henri Carew; Dressage, Andrea Brett; and Countryside Challenge, Sam Orde and Christina Thirlwell. Certificates and rosettes were presented by Peter Jackson, Chairman of Northumberland County Council and

Councillor Cath Homer for the Arts and Crafts section. Mark Tweedie CEO Active Northumberland came along to cheer on the competitors and thank coaches, leaders, side walkers and supporters for their effort and teamwork.

Vickie Mackenzie, Eden Group RDA. North

@ScroptonRDA One of our riders Phoebe were so lucky to meet and having a chat with HRH Princess Anne at the

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Out & About

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Countryside Challenge at the #RDAChamps - helping riders like Millie achieve great things!

Working together at Tumpy Green

T Highest recognition

R

ossington Hall Group in Doncaster has been named as a recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for 2019, the UK’s highest accolade for such services – known as the MBE for volunteering groups.

It recognises the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers, who regularly devote their time to helping others, improving the quality of life and opportunity for citizens.

Rossington Hall Group (founded in 1987) has 43 volunteers, 10 horses and averages 250 rides per month.

The volunteers are an incredible team who work alongside each other and with the riders to ensure they have the best possible experience and opportunity to develop their physical and social skills. We are proud our volunteers have received this award. It means so much to have their dedication and hard work recognised at the highest level.

Without our team of volunteers, the group would not exist.

The award will be presented to the group at a celebration event later in the year by Andrew Coombe, HM Lord-Lieutenant for South Yorkshire. He said: “I am delighted the Rossington Hall Group Riding for Disabled, providing support and services to those in need in our county, has been awarded the highly prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

Carolyn Brown. North East & South Yorkshire

Triumph of determination

C

ompetition time again and we found ourselves in a dilemma as Blaze, our lovely weight-bearing horse, has become a little too old to travel and his successor is still a little bit green. So, we made the reluctant decision that if we couldn’t give all our riders a fair chance, we wouldn’t compete this year.

eam work was necessary when the Equitation Centre that had been our home for over thirty years told us we could no longer be accommodated. We are a small group that meets once a week and hires horses, so we had to look for a new home. Where could we go? Would our riders be able to continue at a new venue? How many helpers would carry on volunteering?

Our trustees swung into action. Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre was the nearest to our previous base and had an RDA group. After numerous phone calls and visits it was agreed it would be possible to make Tumpy Green our new base. The existing Tumpy Green RDA group welcomed us as they meet in the evening and we are a morning group, and passed on some very useful information about the horses they use. The Equestrian Centre has also been extremely helpful.

After a busy summer moving our accumulated kit and purchasing a shed to store it, all that remained was to choose a new name for the group. There were many suggestions but ‘Berkeley Vale’ was the favourite suggestion and adopted.

To our delight most of our riders decided to join us at the new venue as did the majority of our volunteers and, thanks to team work, the group is now well established at Tumpy Green.

Berkeley Vale group. MidWest

This wasn’t going to stop us though, as we decided to hold our own competition at home, so over a period of three weeks our usual lesson times have turned into a mini Hartpury!

Our riders have all been tested and scored in all three disciplines, which has been no easy task and has involved an amazing degree of teamwork.

Our Chief Coach has jiggled riding lists, our volunteers have all appeared on extra days in order to support riders and help with judging and scoring.

Some of our senior riders have even donned their competition kit.

At the end of the day (or week or three) we have had fun and are so proud of our riders and wonderful volunteers; they have all proved 'It’s what you CAN do' as a team that counts.

St Ives (Bingley) Group. Yorkshire & Cleveland

@RDAnational National Championships as part of the #RDA50Faces campaign last week - Congratulations Phoebe

rda.org.uk

30

Out & About

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@SOSGroupLtd It was great to see @itsanitarani and John Craven

A certain kind of magic

W

orking as a team is what RDA groups strive to achieve each and every session.

However, a particular sort of magic happens when different and potentially ‘competing’ groups work together to create new opportunities.

Years ago, the Gareloch Group was looking for a way to expand activities, and particularly support those who could no longer ride. We had an RDA pony with driving experience, not keen on ridden work anymore.

Obvious answer - Bobbie goes from riding to driving.

Sounds easy!

We soon realised carriage driving was a greater undertaking than first imagined. We struggled to know where to start, then a special sort of teamwork appeared. We were directed towards Forth Driving, our nearest driving group. From within Forth Driving stepped forward David Milne, a man with enormous experience both within RDA and as a carriage driver.

David generously gave his spare time to Gareloch, to train the pony, potential coaches and volunteers.

The volunteers and participants of Forth Driving made our members feel instantly welcome and supported.

We cannot thank them enough for helping us reach our current position (almost two years down the road),

two qualified coaches, more in training, excellent volunteers, a terrific uptake of driving from participants and a vibrant and excited vision to expanding our ‘new’ activity.

Teamwork is a driving speciality - train hard, miles/logistics no obstacle, aim high, but relax beautifully - everyone is part of the team, everyone has a wonderful time.

Kate Bennet, Chair. West & Central Scotland

A special horse

W

e bought Sheri, a 15.2 piebald cob as the group needed a schooled weight carrier, but soon found out Sheri is so much more.

You can put anybody on her and she will look after them while still challenging them to achieve and progress. She is happy to be lead at whatever pace best suits the rider, and equally forward and willing off the lead and, according to one of her regular leaders, she seems to read the rider’s ability and react accordingly, slowing down if the rider is unbalanced or unsure and moving up a gear (or several!) to stimulate and challenge.

Sheri is happiest working as part of a team, whether in weekly group sessions; preparing for the National Championships or in her weekend vaulting sessions.

In last year’s Nationals she stepped in as a replacement horse for another group’s rider. She recently took part in filming for a Welsh television series where she stood patiently for more than four hours letting riders groom and make a fuss of her on camera. She makes the journey from her livery to the centre on a weekly basis and is also part of the newly established Calon group, a mobile group travelling to offer riding and vaulting opportunities in North Wales. She is also part of our region’s pool of horses available for those who need a partner for competitions.

Sheri is a vital part of our group and encapsulates the meaning of a team player.

We are very lucky to have her and would like to say ‘ diolch yn fawr’ thank you Sheri.

Jaza Wynne-Williams. North Wales

@DYSPRAXIAFDTN Congratulations to @RDAnational celebrating 50 years of providing opportunities for disabled

rda.org.uk

Out & About

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from @BBCCountryfile filming throughout the day at the @RDAnational Championships!

All-weather heroes

G

ood teamwork is an essential ingredient of all RDA activities. We know even the best coaches can do nothing without their loyal band of volunteers, whether they be leaders, side walkers or play some other essential role within the group to keep it running smoothly. The horses and ponies also are an essential part of the team and their ability to adapt to meet the needs of our riders is a constant source of amazement and gratitude.

The team spirit within RDA becomes even more evident when it comes to a regional event. Volunteers come together to deliver a wonderful, safe and rewarding day for everyone. Our recent Regional Qualifier involved some 30 people, including judges and scribes, stewards, scorers, first aiders, photographers, the Equine Welfare Officer and the organiser who coordinates everyone on the day. I would like to thank all these people on behalf of our riders and everyone involved with RDA in Northern Ireland. They are the unsung heroes and heroines of the organisation who can be counted on turn out in all weathers to make these occasions possible. The photo shows three heroines: Norma, Rosemary and Gloria.

Julie Frazer, Regional Chair. Northern Ireland

Dream Team

D

uring my journey to Blue Peter, many people helped me overcome barriers as a disabled rider.

I wouldn't have had the chance to ride at Media City if it wasn't for Gill Petty (RDA North West Chair, and Pegasus

RDA Chair), who believed in me from the beginning.

Joanna McCusker, my physical therapist, first introduced me to this amazing charity that helps disabled people feel free and happier, and Beth and Caroline from RDA National Office were a fantastic help before and after filming.

Coaches Paul Hughes and Nikki Whiteside have pushed me to be the rider I am today their encouragement is priceless.

And David from Village Saddlery made a bespoke saddle fit for my posture, and an unique (in the UK) sit-saver, which has padding under one side to compensate for my hip difference and pushes me into the perfect shape in the saddle. He worked tirelessly to have it ready for the Blue Peter event.

Last but not least is my family, my Mum and Dad. My Mum especially is the backbone for where I am today.

Blue Peter was an unbelievable experience, and one that I will never forget - but it wouldn't have happened without these amazing people, team work really does make the dream come true!

Katie Reilly. North West

children and adults and good luck to all those taking part in National Championships this weekend.

rda.org.uk

32

Out & About

Join the conversation @RDANational:

@DavidElliston3 Super proud of Alfie today. He achieved his

In-house Challenge

T

he Mount Group held an in-house Countryside Challenge Competition on Monday 17 June. Thirty of our riders took part, ranging from primary-age children to adults. Somerby EC, where we are based, kindly allowed us to take over the whole yard.

We used the outdoor school for mounting, warming up and parking.

The indoor school was beautifully set up with the obstacles our riders had to negotiate. They were judged by Karen Thompson and Liz Jones of The Paddocks Rideability. There were three rider age categories, with trophies and rosettes. The whole event, which also acknowledged 50 years of RDA, would not have been possible without the input from our wonderful coaches and volunteers. It was a huge success and a fabulous team effort.

Diane Clews, Trustee, The Mount Group.

North Midlands

What teamwork means for us

A

s Regional Chairs, the successful management of RDA is for everyone to work cooperatively, towards a common goal.

Everyone contributing fairly, recognising and using key skill sets, identifying the leaders, the followers and the analysts. Trusting and respecting one another, and ultimately having fun.

The Regional Team is at the heart of South Wales RDA, and has endeavoured to capitalise on individual skill sets, establish closer communication links, cascade our aims to the groups to gain consistency and make ourselvese available and approachable, and allowing participants to present their views. Numerous activities, competitions, fun days and more have been organised. We feel we have networked the groups closer, resulting in higher numbers attending the Qualifiers and ultimately increasing the level of attendance at Hartpury.

We've involved the Groups in bigger events such as the Big Ride, and we plan to deliver '50 hours of riding', possibly covering 50 miles with 50 Smiles to celebrate the UK RDA's 50th Anniversary. Ultimately, we want to ensure we incorporate camaraderie and a certain amount of 'Welsh warmth' as part of the mix for our concept of teamwork along our RDA journey to all participants.

Every group has demonstrated versatility, passion, commitment within a safe, secure and fun environment, the essence of which has been down to good old fashion teamwork, and that there is no “I” in Team.

Joan E. Lean and Julie Humphry, Regional Chairs, South Wales

The ponies in our lives If you hear the sound of laughter and see smiles are all around, you’ll know you’ve reached the place where happiness is found.

At the little stables down an enchanting country lane, you’ll find on every Saturday, the real life Darling Buds of May. This is where the ponies live who change their riders’ lives, for every week they bring happiness and fun to all who ride.

These aren’t just average ponies or simply horses that you see, why these are marvellous creatures with the magic to set you free.

Can you imagine having no worries, forgetting about your cares?

Can you imagine spending your time simply gliding through the air?

It’s not just riding ponies, it’s not just another day, it’s a love between animal and human, it’s called Team RDA. Zoe of Whittington & Lichfield RDA Group.

West Mercia

@BagshotInfant Bailey won! Fantastic effort from Mrs M and our riding children @RDAnational Arts and Crafts

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Out & About

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endeavour award for working so hard towards independent riding and learning new skills. Well done Alfie.

Champs: Ready or not!

Photo: Adrian Miller

B

retton Smeed, 28, went blind when he was 15. Over the past few months, he's been learning to ride at Guernsey RDA. "I love it," he says. "The first time I tried it, it felt like being on a boat."

Under the tutelage of Terry Lihou, Bretton has learned to walk and trot. It was suggested a mechanical horse might help him safely learn the transitions, but the nearest one is in Gloucestershire. However, Anthony Williams, partner at local legal services firm Appleby, said the company was pleased to support the trip as part of its CSR: "We understand he wants to compete one day, so it is great to be part of that journey."

The planned trip to use the mechanical horse will happen soon, because Guernsey RDA Chair, Heidi Ephgrave, wrote to ‘My Blue Islands’, which was offering free flights from Guernsey to help charities or sports clubs to compete in something they’d not be able to access without the flights. Bretton was picked, so there was little choice (ready or not) but to enter the RDA Regional Qualifiers! The team didn’t know what to expect, but Bretton surpassed all expectations and, thanks to the hired horse from Wellington and coach/leader Terry Lihou, he qualified for the National Championships in dressage and the Countryside Challenge. Janet Alderton from RDA ride2achieve

in Hereford has offered Brett a horse for the Championships, and Brett is looking forward to meeting other riders and is excited about the opportunity to ride yet another horse! An amazing team effort.

The Guernsey Press and Heidi Ephgrave, Guernsey Chair. South

The Fun Factor

O The Magnificent Six

F

or the last few years, the Tuesday morning adult group has performed Drill Rides to music. Our last venture was ‘Shaken not Stirred’, and we strutted our stuff at the Grand Opening of our new facilities in October 2018.

This year, we don Stetsons and check shirts as The Magnificent Six (sadly, no Western saddles) and plan to enter the RDA national competition. Each year, our Drill Sergeant, Sarah, thinks up a more complicated set of manoeuvres. She seems to think we need challenging!

It could not happen without teamwork and laughter. As riders, we have to concentrate, be aware of all the other horses and adjust our speed to be in the right place at the right time. Starting in the correct place helps!

The rest of the team: production is Director Sarah, the camera and music crew (Pauline and Mary), all the volunteers, the Cranleigh management team, and our families and supporters.

Thank y’all. Yeehaaa!

Jane Busby, Cranleigh RDA. South East

ur team includes Sooty (black Welsh cob), Logan (a 10 yr old with PDA autism and rides weekly), Tina (volunteer, who works with Logan on movements requiring assistance) and Alice (Group coach, who works with Logan on independent riding).

When Logan started riding with the Group, it became apparent that he and Sooty had a special understanding. Part of PDA autism is avoiding the demands of everyday life; Sooty appears to put only minimal demands on Logan, but without realising it Logan is adhering to rules – such as, unless Logan gives the correct aid, Sooty will not obey the command. Logan has learnt, under instruction from Alice, to convey commands calmly and precisely to Sooty and take charge of the situation. Sooty is an incredible therapist, his calmness and understanding matched by his ability to build trust; Logan understands he has the ability to control his ‘demand avoidance’ in a calm and correct manner.

Logan does riding without stirrups, riding with no reins and arms folded. Logan trusts Alice and Tina, and his decision making has improved through having to decide the next movement in some of the games. The fun factor in our lessons disguises the serious goals achieved by our riders. We have watched Logan progress from a timid nervous rider into a jovial confident lad.

Alice May, Group Coach, Acorn & Squirrels of Exeter. South West

competition Thank you @sandhurstrda for inspiring us and reminding us it truly is: what you can do that counts!

rda.org.uk

34 National Office Staff

We're here to help If you are looking for an RDA group near you, please visit our ‘find a group’ page on the RDA website (www.rda.org.uk/rda-groups) and contact them directly. Otherwise, please call or email our friendly office team.

Ed Bracher Chief Executive 01926 405961/ 07392 678235 ebracher@rda.org.uk Peter Dean Director of finance 01926 405963 pdean@rda.org.uk Claire Milican Director of Operations 01926 405969/ 07493 394237 cmilican@rda.org.uk Randip Thompson Director of fundraising Rthompson@rda.org.uk Emma Bayliss Activities Co-ordinator - Equine, carriage driving, National Championships support 01926 405972 ebayliss@rda.org.uk Marisa BrethertonMackay Activities Co-ordinator Education, participants, holidays 01926 405973 marisa@rda.org.uk

Becka Marston Support Administrator 01926 405974 rmarston@rda.org.uk

Angela Sly Executive Co-ordinator 01926 476303 asly@rda.org.uk

Lizzie Hill Accessibility Mark Co-ordinator lhill@rda.org.uk

Denise Robertson Head of Therapy 01926 405976 drobertson@rda.org.uk

Catherine Holland Group Development Manager 01926 405962 cholland@rda.org.uk

Sal Atkinson Fundraising and Events Manager 01926 405975 satkinson@rda.org.uk

Aga Kulicka-Williams Website and IT Support Co-ordinator awilliams@rda.org.uk

Kate Flanigan Finance Officer 01926 405965 kflanigan@rda.org.uk

Sarah Hadley Activities Co-ordinator National Championships, dressage, showing 01926 405967 shadley@rda.org.uk

Cat Stuart-Yapp Fundraising Officer 01926 405979 cyapp@rda.org.uk

Caroline Ward Communications Manager 01926 405968 cward@rda.org.uk

B’Elaina Turner-Fenner Accounts Apprentice 01926 405965 bturnerfenner@rda.org.uk

Lyndsay Wager Coaching Manager 01926 405970 lwager@rda.org.uk Fiona Harris Coaching Manager 01926 405971 fharris@rda.org.uk Lucy Stokes Activities Co-ordinator - Showjumping, vaulting, endurance 01926 476307 lstokes@rda.org.uk

Lisa Macdonald Fundraising Officer 07739 383666 lmacdonald@rda.org.uk

Beth Randles Communications Co-ordinator 01926 405977 brandles@rda.org.uk

Alex Walker Operations Support and Tracker Co-ordinator 01926 476304 awalker@rda.org.uk Jo Hayward Accessibility Mark Co-ordinator 01926 476300 jhayward@rda.org.uk

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Laura Cartwright Group Support Co-ordinator Safeguarding 01926 476302 lcartwright@rda.org.uk

rda.org.uk

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