SOUTH EAST REGIONAL DRESSAGE kindly sponsored by Cowan Architects
HICKSTEAD, WEDNESDAY 4th JUNE 2008

FANTASTIC TURNOUT FOR RDA DRESSAGE

On what turned out to be a beautiful day, teams of riders descended on Hickstead on 4th June, for the annual South East Region RDA Dressage Competition.

The riders who represented the RDA Groups from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, had worked very hard to achieve some great dressage tests. This is just a testament to the hard work of the many volunteers who put in hours of work to prepare both the riders and their ever patient horses and ponies. All were turned out beautifully.

There were tests for riders of all abilities, from leading rein to those able to compete by themselves. Some of the most amazing to watch though are those who have a visual impairment with one rider following her instructor who wore a bell at her waist, to another who had a caller telling her when she was getting to the markers. A quite extraordinary sight.

Several riders from the day qualified to go on to the dressage at the RDA National Championships that take place at Hartpury in July. We wish them every success.

Jane Bowden, of our sponsors, Cowan Architects from East Grinstead, came along to watch the rider's compete and to present the rosettes and trophies.

REGIONAL INDOOR CARRIAGE DRIVING COMPETITION - 27TH SEPTEMBER 2007

On Thursday 27 September over twenty disabled drivers, representing RDA Carriage Driving Groups from Kent, Surrey and Sussex, congregated at Sands Farm Warnham for their annual Indoor Driving Competition.

With turn-outs of all sizes, the entrants showed their extraordinary ability whilst tackling the three disciplines of dressage, cones and obstacles.

The drivers, who had come from all over the South East to compete in either Open or Novice classes, were ably supported by a huge team of volunteers. These individuals not only prepare the drivers for the competition, but also produce horses and ponies and their respective vehicles to an incredible level. Without them, both riding and driving would not be possible for thousands of children and adults across the country.

The winners in this year's competition were Keith Farley of Herons Ghyll Group in the Open Class and Linda Peacock of Cobbes Meadow Group in the Novice Class.

SE Region RDA is extremely grateful to Cowan Architects of East Grinstead for their continued support in sponsoring the Region's Annual Competitions.

Click here for full results list from 27th September 2007 Indoor Driving Competition

Heron's Ghyll Driving Group-Rda's Annual Mini ODE Fund Raising Event

by Keith Farley

I can't believe how quickly the last year has passed. The 20th September saw yet another renewal of the Mini ODE held by Heron's Ghyll Driving Group-RDA at their base, Burchetts Farm, Whitesmith, East Sussex. This event, held for the last three years, is open to entries from both disabled and able-bodied whips and allows competition against each other on a level playing field. Now that this event has it's niche in our annual calendar, it has been recognised as not only an opportunity to raise much needed funds and a fantastic opportunity for disabled whips but a chance for existing A/B whips to brush up on their driving skills and, for those thinking of joining the ranks, to try out the sport first.

This year, although there were a nice number of entries, they were down on last year. A number of reasons have been bandied about as to why and all are probably valid. This event, followed by the RDA SE Indoor Competition at Sands Farm the following Thursday and the BDS Jubilee Show at Towerlands, Essex three days later is the most probable. I'm afraid it just goes to highlight the age old problem of financing everything. But the dreaded FMD in Surrey certainly didn't help.

The day went well, blusteringly well in fact with conditions slightly on the squally side - with the only real shower waiting until I had entered the dressage ring! After dressage, we Heronsghyllians were holding our own against the 'outsiders' with Christine Bassingthwaighte driving Jake through a super test and a score of 29 in the Beginners class. Brenda Longley drove Buck in the Novice and stood first above two of Heron's Ghyll's A/Bs. Billy Dempsey headed up the Novice-Over 13.2hh with Jack. Sarah Baverstock drove the super pony Rupert to the fore in the Open-under 13.2hh and I found myself in a similar position driving Jake in the Open-Over 13.2hh. HG volunteer, Bella Freeman led from the front in the Beginners-Under 13.2hh class with her own Shetland pony, Gwain.
By the end of the cones the score sheet, like the weather, had quite a different look to it! Whilst Bella, Christine, Sarah and myself held on to our leads, Billy and Brenda had a pretty torrid time and dropped to fifth and third in their respective classes. Then there were the obstacles!

Oh dear, if only I hadn't tried to take a 15.2 on the 12.2 route we may have held on. But, Janet Bettell-Higgins, (259) founder of Kipling Country Group-RDA took the lead driving Prince, Kipling's latest equine member. Bella (268) and Christine (310) maintained control over their classes but Sarah dropped to fourth with Karen Baker (HG) 3 penalties to the better in third. I must at this point stress that it wasn't so much Sarah and Karen losing ground as it was local girl, Kerry Whiteman (187) steering the pocket rocket Tori, owned by Brenda Longley's daughter Jeni, to the best score of the day. Cheryl Hurle (247) from Walstead, having moved into the lead of Class four with Snowy after the cones, hung on to win the Novice-Over 13.2hh. Rozanne Bennett (280) from Hastings drove Hamish, improved from her second place after dressage to steal the cones and hold on to win her class.

It must be said that the event could not have taken place without the help of a lot of people to whom I would like to offer my sincere thanks. What would any event do without the trusty regular volunteers who make up judges, stewards, scorers, ball pickeruppers, the bacon butty brigade, many of whom once again were members of the local Oaks Driving Club. Of course, we must not forget all those from the participating RDA groups who were not only competing in their own right but were there helping the disabled in their quest to compete.

Click here to download full results from Heron's Gill Mini ODE

Class Winner Christine Bassingthwaight driving Jake

Annual Carriage Driving Show

10th July Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park

The RDA's 22nd Annual Carriage Driving Show was held on 10th July at Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park. There was a very delayed start as the First Aid cover failed to turn up but after a two hour wait a Surrey St John's Ambulance crew came to the rescue and the Show was able to get under way.

Five groups took part: Happy Landings, Herons Ghyll, Kipling County, Stella Hancock and Windsor & Ascot and the competition was fierce. The classes were all well filled and the standard of driving was very high.

The showing classes were judged by Colin Pawson who despite the delay spent a long time talking to all the competitors and encouraging them and the dressage classes were judged by Margaret Pawson. Trevor Mills and his team set a very technical cones course which caused quite a lot of knock downs.

The Concours d' Elegance at the end of the competition included a drive through the Park, with two stops so that the drivers could see down the Long Walk to the Castle and then at the new statue of the Queen. This class was judged by Susan Bailey and Pauline Hancock who chose the smallest pony there, a Shetland pony driven by Rebecca Gale from the Windsor & Ascot group.

So even though the Show ended a lot later than intended due to the late start, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day.