Channel 4 racing joins Dame Judi Dench at East Park RDA Group, Lingfield

The cameras rolled and action called as Channel 4 Racing visited East Park Riding for the Disabled Group at Little Brook Equestrian, Lingfield on Monday to interview patron, Dame Judi Dench, on the progress her beloved ex-racehorse, Smokey Oakey was making in his re-training.  Racing presenter, Nick Luck, was keen to get behind Dame Judi’s interest in the RDA group and her decision last year to donate her horse to the cause.

After filming her viewing an RDA lesson in progress with children from Queen Elizabeth II School, Horsham, the cameras then followed Dame Judi as she took some of the children to see Smokey Oakey in his stable where she helped them feed him his favourite treat of polo mints.

Today was a chance for us to show the breadth and depth of RDA’s work.

Sally Anne O’Neill

She was then interviewed by Nick Luck as Smokey Oakey was schooled in the menage on how his re-training was progressing and her involvement in the RDA East Park Group where she regularly supports them in their Open Days and Fundraisers.

“Today was a chance for us to show the breadth and depth of RDA’s work” said Sally Anne O’Neill, Little Brook’s owner and a long serving volunteer and campaigner for the RDA. “We have the little ones who are just at the start of their journey with horses and the wonders of riding. And alongside we have exceptional horses like Smokey Oakey who we are hoping can be retrained to be a top class RDA horse for Para riders in dressage and showjumping”.

Channel 4 Racing is making the feature as part of the Saturday show. Local company, Cowan Architects, provides the regional sponsorship for the RDA.