Worlds Largest Riding Lesson

THOUSANDS TAKE PART IN THE WORLD'S LARGEST RIDING LESSON.

The Riding for the Disabled Association launched the celebrations for its 40th Anniversary in style this week with a successful attempt at breaking the record for the World's Largest Riding Lesson. Approximately 5000 riders and volunteers at 200 riding centres across the UK united to demonstrate their support for the charity and this included almost 300 members from the Northern Ireland branch.
The events held around the country allowed both disabled and able bodied riders to come together to participate in the same lesson, with everybody completing the same movements. All the events took place between 10am and 8pm on the 30th September 2009 and riders who took part had to have registered prior to the event to ensure that the numbers were officially moderated for the Guinness Book of Records.
HRH Princess Anne opened the event at a group in England and praised the commitment, enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers in a heartfelt speech to everyone at RDA and across the globe. The Princess then flew by helicopter to Anglesey to visit the Ynys Mon (Anglesey) Group on the same day.
The day was a success for the charity, raising both the profile of the work that is carried out as well as necessary funds to allow the continuance of the important weekly activities throughout the UK. Chief Executive of RDA, Ed Bracher who visited and met with several riders and volunteers on the day commented "The groups I visited and spoke to were very enthusiastic and had a great time. We hope to repeat this success and get 10,000 people riding next year."

Please find below reports from your local groups on their involvement in this event:

Carryduff
"Carryduff RDA were very fortunate to persuade Yvette Truesdale, National Dressage Champion to come and teach ten good friends of our group. We had two sessions and all benefitted thoroughly from her advice. We would like to thank Yvette for giving so generously of her time and also Phillipa Auret for allowing the use of her indoor school. I would also like to thank my volunteers Karen, Gillian and Shelagh Clark for watching the oven whilst I was riding. After the rides we enjoyed refreshments and I’m glad to say our group is £150 richer!
Although our Big Lesson was not that big, I am pleased that our group was able to participate in such a large event while at the same time having fun and getting a rosette!"
Sue Harvey - Group Organiser.

Newtownards, Whinney Hill, Bangor and Craigantlet

Adam on Digby, Rosemary, Elizabeth & Gloria

"We all had a great morning and joined forces to ride together at Birr House Equestrian Centre. Newtownards group rode first with 5 riders led by Roma Oakes who is the 2009 National Dressage Champion and also won Senior Best turned out with 92% at Hartpury, riding Retina 184. Next up we had 5 volunteer helpers from the groups, followed by 8 more riders from Whinney Hill and Craigantlet. Eighteen riders took part and we had a great turn out of helpers from all of these groups to help with riders who have various disabilities. Diane Given from the Newtownards group provided us all with homemade scones complete with jam and cream, a selection of other goodies and non-stop tea and coffee. Rosi Gomes came along to present rosettes and certificates to the participants and we also had a group of parents, friends and carers. All of that, coupled with the sense of creating 'a little bit of history,' certainly made for an excellent party atmosphere."
Elizabeth Gibson - Newtowards Group.

Lurgan
"We arranged to hold an able-bodied group riding lesson at Jennifer Howes' riding school in Ballyknock, where we teach disabled children from Ceara School, Lurgan, on a Tuesday. Jennifer was very cooperative and helped to 'make it happen' and she allowed for the RDA to take over one of her regular Wednesday night lessons. There were 8 riders altogether including 3 of our helpers - Elaine Cardwell, Helen Healy and Sheelagh McAfee. Anne Cochrane, who is also an Instructor and our Treasurer came along to assist and the whole event went very well.
The Lurgan Group was glad to be able to participate in a nation wide event which will hopefully help to encourage more volunteers to come and join the Riding for the Disabled in their local area."
Sara McCorkell.

Banbridge and Moira

"Our lesson went very well with everyone in a party mood and ready to work hard. As we had to have a dressage lesson to count towards the overall final numbers everyone was really kept on their toes. Our riders are all able to ride a varying levels so we used this opportunity to demonstrate different aspects of our normal lessons as well once the obligatory lesson was complete. One of our riders, Eleanor, went on to show supporters of the RDA who were watching some more complicated riding movements.
We were pleased to involve the Banbridge and Moira group in a lesson which was taking place on a national basis and it made us really think about how important the work that we do every week is to our area."
Gail Martin.

Mid Antrim
"Mid-Antrim Riding for the Disabled Group arranged for volunteers and invited guests to gather at Galgorm Parks Riding School to watch as riders from Castle Tower School (Loughan Campus) participated in a specially designed riding lesson.
After the lesson had been completed, the Mayor, Councillor James Currie MBE, presented each rider with a rosette to mark the occasion. At an informal reception later in the day the Chairman of the group, Mrs Catherine Maybin, welcomed guests and explained what the aims and achievements of the group had been over many years. She thanked financial sponsors including local firms such as Michelin, Gallagher Ltd, NIE, and paid tribute to the hard work of Mrs Sarah Kyle who owns the horse-riding premises. She also thanked volunteers whose dedication and energy had ensured that RDA could provide a highlight of the week for many children and adults."
Juliet Frazer.

Coleraine

Peter Stanley, Leslie Cole, Sharon Smyth

"Coleraine RDA took part in the Biggest Riding Lesson in the World on the 30th September 2009 and held one of the largest lessons in Northern Ireland on that day. Between 10am and 8pm approximately 50 riders took part in the newly built, multi purpose arena which was only opened a month ago. This number included riders, helpers, parents and instructors all of whom generously gave their time to support the RDA on this important day. At the end of the day each rider was presented with a rosette for taking part in the event."
Albert Clyde.

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