RDA

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) UK is working closely with local trustees and stakeholders to help secure the future of the RDA Unicorn Centre in Middlesbrough, following the recent announcement that the Centre was at risk of closure. For nearly 30 years, the Unicorn Centre has provided life-changing opportunities through horses, supporting people with physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term health conditions, and neurodiversity. The strong public response to recent news demonstrates how deeply valued the Centre is within the community it serves. National Trend Affecting Charitable RDA Centres The challenges facing the Unicorn Centre reflect a wider

This year, The RDA Virtual National Championships sees 402 entries from 63 RDA Groups across the UK competing in a total of 81 classes. A packed schedule on both days covers a huge variety of competitions including dressage, vaulting, musical rides, carriage driving, the countryside challenge, showing and showjumping with live commentary by dressage rider, Lauren O’Hagan and presenter Rosie Russell. These two hard working commentators will be joined by Sky Sports Racing Presenter and Howden Racing Ambassador, Vanessa Ryle. Georgia Halliwell-Paget, from the Cavalier Centre Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Group will be building on her success at

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships provided an exceptional three days of competition, with over 380 participants representing 85 RDA Groups from across the UK. Events included dressage, vaulting, endurance, showing, show jumping and carriage driving as well as RDA’s Countryside Challenge and many more non-ridden competitions. The annual Championships is the largest equestrian disability event in the world and was once again held at Hartpury University and College on July 14th – 16th. Despite facing high winds and thunder and lightning that briefly delayed Saturday afternoon’s competition, participants and supporters displayed remarkable patience, determination and good humour,

As part of an ongoing campaign to raise money for the Riding for the Disabled Association, Harbro Country Stores has successfully fundraised £7000 to donate to the Scotland branch of the RDA. The campaign, which saw 25p from the sale of every bag of Harbro Horse feed sold, ran for a year in selected Harbro retail outlets based in Scotland. The donation will be used across Scotland, to help support the fantastic work the charity do. In the past year alone, RDA groups across Scotland supported 2045 participants to engage with horses through riding, vaulting, carriage driving or just spending

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) was well represented amongst the winners at The British Horse Society’s (BHS) annual awards ceremony at Saddlers’ Hall in London. The BHS Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of the society’s volunteers, supporters and partners over the past year, covering safety, access, welfare, education and participation. Members and volunteers of the BHS nominate individuals across 29 categories with the winners then selected by the Board of Trustees. Caroline Ward, Communications Manager at RDA UK said; It is wonderful to see representatives of RDA recognised for their contribution. Most of those who coach at RDA groups

Stars of sport and broadcasting gather for 50th anniversary RDA awards When: Drapers’ Hall, London, 2 October Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary at a star-studded awards evening, recognising the outstanding achievements of riders, volunteers and horses. Host Clare Balding will be joined by ITN news anchor and journalist Alastair Stewart; motor racing legend Damon Hill; W Series’ British racing driver Alice Powell and celebrity auctioneer Philip Serrell for a night of celebration and fundraising. Each year the RDA Gala Awards celebrates the achievements of its riders and carriage drivers, and the outstanding contribution made

The RDA was proud to showcase how its work has evolved over the past 50 years in a special RDA parade held at their National Championships. From day one, back in 1969, RDA has been enriching people’s lives through horses and over this time it has developed to provide involvement in many different equine activities. The championships celebrated their own 25th anniversary and the Parade was a chance to celebrate everything that makes RDA great, from the opportunities it provides, through to the volunteers and horses that make it possible. Throughout the day the team from BBC 1’s Countryfile were

Spirits were high at the RDA National Championships as over 500 competitors gathered at Hartpury College for three days to remember. As part of the event, there was also an opportunity to celebrate the charity’s 50th anniversary. Huge crowds turned out on the opening day to welcome RDA’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, where she presented prizes at the Supporters Reception to long-serving volunteers and supporters before enjoying the 50th Anniversary Parade. The Parade featured representatives from all RDA activities and disciplines and from each of the 18 Regions in the UK. On day two there was great

Steve Guerdat Storms into the Lead in Longines FEI Jumping World Cup 2019 Final Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat scorched into the lead as the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup 2019 Final kicked off at the Scandinavium Arena, Gothenburg. Before Guerdat, and his ride Alamo, cantered into the ring, the leaderboard looked like a Belgian whitewash with Pieter Devos, Olivier Philippaerts and Francois Mathy Jr holding the top three places. Defending champions, America’s Beezie Madden and her 13-year-old stallion Breitling LS, had just dropped the very last fence, so with three seconds added to their super-fast time of 60.74 seconds would have

RDA Scotland Announced as Official Charity Partner for Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials have announced The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Scotland as the official charity partner for 2019. Running over four days (22 – 25 August), Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials is Scotland’s leading equestrian event, attracting over 45,000 visitors every year. The RDA enriches the lives of people with disabilities through horse riding and carriage driving. Every year via a network of 500 volunteer groups and 18,000 dedicated volunteers, RDA provides over 25,000 disabled adults and

New stables for Paralympic gold medallist’s RDA group New Stables for Sophie – Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Wells set up a new Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) group at her training base in Papplewick, Nottingham in 2014. Papplewick RDA received a recent boost thanks to Jon William Stables, who sponsored and built a set of 3 stables and a tack room. This will house some of the RDA horses and ponies, allowing the group to expand and take on more riders. Sophie commented, “Now we can give more people opportunities, freedom and inspiration through the expanding RDA centre. The