South East Riders Excel at RDA National Championships

Last weekend, a record number of disabled horse riders and carriage drivers from the South East Region qualified for the Riding for the Disabled National Championships. 27 competitors representing 12 different groups from across Surrey, Sussex and Kent took on more than 500 other competitors from around the UK – and nearly all (20) were placed in the top 10 of their class.

This is such a fantastic achievement” said Lindsay Correa, Chair of the South East Region, “particularly as some competitors even had to borrow horses from other groups as last-minute problems meant they had no mount!”

Of particular note was Felicity Julian from Epsom RDA who rode Mini Milton to first place in her dressage class– an exceptional feat as her normal pony became unavailable – and Hannagh Mogan of Quest RDA, Chobham who rode Willow Fury’s Comet to 2nd place in the Dressage Freestyle. The Carriage Drivers also came back with a brace of 2nd places, with Sandra Spinner, driving Rushmoor Jimmy of Cherry Park RDA, Chichester in the Novice and Amanda Hardy driving Daintree Princess from Happy Landings, Billingshurt in the Intermediate. The team of five young riders from East Park RDA all managed to get in the top six in their Countryside Challenge classes (Orla Wynne 3rd, Evie-Mae Dobbe 4th, Jasmine Musgrove 5th, Zoe Beer and Darcy Brown 6th) while Sandhurst won the Arts & Crafts sculptor class.

The three-day event Championship event is the biggest of its kind in the world and features dressage, carriage driving, showing, vaulting, showjumping and RDA’s own event, the Countryside Challenge. Highlights of this year’s event included the first endurance ride(where Joe Roud of Fairlight Hall RDA, Hastings was the first ever competitor), the introduction of Dressage Pairs and the first entry by an elephant (in the costume dressage freestyle to music!).

The Championships, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, began as a dressage competition and now boasts seven main disciplines as well as Arts & Crafts, Best Turned Out and Horsecare & Knowledge.

Championships Chair Anne Coney said: “This year’s Championships attracted more visitors than ever to witness the fantastic achievements of over 500 riders. Volunteers from all over the country make this event happen and it is a privilege for me to be the Chair. The hot weather did not deter the enthusiasm - and the big smiles from the competitors and their supporters.”
Ends.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the RDA National Championships:

1. The RDA National Championships is the biggest event of its kind in the world for disabled horse riders and carriage drivers
2. Paralympians including Sophie Christiansen, Sir Lee Pearson, Natasha Baker, Ricky Balshaw, Deb Criddle and Liz Stone all began their competitive careers at the Championships
3. This year over 500 competitors took part, with over 1600 rosettes presented over three days
4. 102 RDA groups travelled to this year’s event. The furthest travelling from Garioch 490 miles away
5. In recent years the Championships have welcomed VIP visitors HRH The Princess Royal, Carl Hester and Clare Balding
6. Since 1994 the Championships has been hosted at Hartpury College. Their support over the weekend makes them one of the charity’s biggest and most loyal donors
7. The Championships started as a dressage competition and now includes carriage driving, vaulting, showjumping, endurance, showing and countryside challenge
8. Countryside Challenge is a unique event to RDA. Styled as a ‘walk in the countryside’ competitors are scored on their execution of a range of obstacles including the apple tree, the bridge, the gate, the post box and archway.
9. The event is run by a team of over 160 volunteers – not counting the teams of volunteers who come to support their riders and drivers.
10. The Championships has no age restrictions. Competitors as young as four and in their nineties have taken part.