Bumper turn out for RDA's South East Region's Dressage Qualifier at Hickstead

The rain held off for the Riding for the Disabled's South East Region's Dressage Qualifier which was held at Hickstead. During a fabulous day, 55 RDA riders of all ages from 9 RDA groups across Kent, Surrey and East & West Sussex converged on Hickstead to show off their accuracy skills in dressage riding. While the results were being collated the numerous entries to the annual Arts & Crafts competition were judged by RDA enthusiasts Bob and Pip Sampson from Pyecombe's Mid Sussex Group.

There were 13 classes held aross three arenas in all, of which 6 were qualifying classes for the RDA National Championships at Hurpury, Gloucestershire in July.

Tom Longley, Director of Architecture of RDA Regional sponsors, Cowan Architects, presented the prizes with his colleague Sarah Goad. "I watched these riders in a number of the classes and I really take my hat off to them as they all have such empathy with the horses. They're all winners in my book" he said.

There were a couple of annual newcomer trophies presented where Charlotte Harvey, from Alborn's Court Meadow Group, won the horse trophy with the highest non-qualifying score. Katie Radzik from Cantebury's Cobbes Meadow Group won a cup for the highest senior newcomer score on her way to qualifying for the nationals with Simon Blight, from East Park RDA (Newchapel, West Sussex). Jemma Salmon from Chichester RDA won a pewter tankard for being the highest qualifier while Gregor Sumner from Court Meadow Group, Albourne won a rose bowl for achieving the highest led senior score and Gareth Bithell from Cobbes Meadow, Canterbury won a trophy for the best led senior.

Sandhurst and Farnham RDA groups were both winners in the Arts and Crafts Competition.

Photograph: Sophie Burrow, riding Bisto from Bradbourne Group (nr Sevenoaks, Kent) salutes the judge at the end of her test.

Photographs Taken by Zecora