News

NB Photos. Please submit photos as email attachments to me. If they are more than 1024 pixels on a side I may need to correct them.

Ruth McVicker passed away in early September. I attach the moving tribute to her which appeared in this autumn's Newsletter; click on Word format or PDF format.

The North-west and North Wales RDA Regional Conference held at Aintree Race course on Monday 3 November. Seven ladies from Northern Ireland set off on a cold, dark,crisp Monday morning to Liverpool.The flight was smooth and we arrived to tea and coffee at the impressive race course.Then proceeded four Power Point presentations on the following:
School support staff by Judith Stapelton and Alwena Topley.
A very enthuastic Jaspa Wynne Williams regaled us about her times as instructor in the Meirionnydd group.
Two physiotherapists then informed us of their hard work and progresses with their riders and horses.
Lastly we were honoured to meet Emme Sheerdown.(a paralympic rider). A courageous 23 yr old who was inspiring in telling us about her life in the fast lane of horses and Olympics!
After a short presentation of well-deserved awards, we had a buffet lunch (those who comsumed wine shall remain nameless!!!!).
After 2pm we all moved to a fantastic sand school where we were treated to a display of dressage to music by Nicola Tustain (world champion Paralympic gold medal winner).
A driving display by Wrexham Carriage Driving Group followed by Tellington TTouch Equine Awareness Method. Lastly an introduction to HORSE BALL, a very interesting game of football which can be fast or slow, according to your riders' skills and abilities.
Then our group had a quick tour around the atmospheric Aintree finishing at the life size ,stunning bronze statue of Red Rum. Back home that night exhausted but all had enjoyed the informative day. Great company,great day and heres to next year!

Text and photos above thanks to Jackie Flynn.

At the committee meeting on 8 September 2008 I tendered my resignation as RDANI Publicity Officer because of family commitments. This was accepted and may I take this opportunity of wishing my still-to-be-appointed successor every every success. I will still be maintaining this web site.

The annual summer holiday went off with a swing this year. There were nine children and nine adults each riding for half a week culminating in a Gymkhana. The riders came from all over Northern Ireland with one rider from Harpenden in England. There were RDANI Groups represented from Newtownards, Downpatrick, East Antrim, Newry, Coleraine, Enniskillen, Antrim, Minnowburn, Banbridge & Moira . Accommodation was in Hillyard House, Castlewellan where the hospitality and food was amazing.The riders rode in Castlewellan Forest Park on horses from Mt. Pleasant Trekking Centre and also indoors and outdoors on horses from Tulllymurry Equestrian Centre near Clough. The horses were very well prepared and turned out by the respective handlers and riders and a massive thanks is owed to the proprietors and staff of both riding centres. The weather was great, just a bit of rain on Friday but we were able to use the excellent indoor facilities at Tullymurry. Also a massive thanks to the parents, carers, Jill Lindsay, RDANI chairman, instructors and all the daily helpers who made this such a special week for the riders. Not forgetting Sue Milligan, holiday organizer and RDANI Secretary who wrote this report:.

We were blessed with gorgeous weather for the annual Dressage event at Danescroft. We were again indebted to George Stewart for the use of the facilities at Danescroft and also to Nicola Baird who organised the event, not forgetting all the RDA volunteers and groups without whom the event would not be possible and not least, the horses!
Nicola is 'retiring' this year after five years organising this event; she will certainly be a very hard act to follow. However we are certain that next year's event will carry on Nicola's very high standard.

Julie Jordan attended the RDA National County Chairmans' Meeting at Saddlers Hall on 29 May. This is her report on the proceedings; click on Word format or PDF format.

An interesting read: click on Saddle Magic. Mrs White returned from Kentucky recently with a cutting from the American Legion Magazine about the Horses for Heroes movement which is united with the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Horses for Heroes provides equine therapy for disabled combat veterans.

RDA had a publicity stand at Ballygraffan Horse Trials on 27th and 28th April 2008. Situated near Comber, the event attracted large crowds on both days. The Sunday,being cross-country day, was very busy especially as the weather was perfect and everyone wanted to see William Fox-Pitt, leading British three-day eventer, tackle the fabulous course. The RDA stand was set up very early on Saturday morning by the ever reliable Hannas, who returned again on Sunday evening to dismantle and transport all the equipment needed to publicise RDA. A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who kindly manned the stand and organised various children's games to raise some funds for the region. Marianne du Toit, born in South Africa but now living in Ireland, was there to promote her book " Crying with Cockroaches:Argentina to New York with Two Horses" and she generously donated 40% of the sales to RDA, Thank you. Hopefully we might have attracted some new volunteers, or at least made the public aware of the work we do to improve the lives of so many disabled people in N.Ireland. The picture of the stand features Caroline (who provided this article), Denise, Jill and Elizabeth, Denise's daughter, who rides with the Newtownards group.

Jack from the Craigantlet Group teams up with the horsebox.

Martin Mahood and Steven Yetman, members of the Newtownards Group, competed recently at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury, Gloucestershire. Regional Chairman Jill Lindsay and Group Instructor Caroline Twemlow accompanied the riders. Unable to bring their usual horses, we were kindly lent "The Woodman" from Chigwell RDA Group in Essex. Martin and Steven rode extremely good dressage tests scoring 73.3% and 71.1% respectively. They were placed 2nd and 3rd in a class of 28. The "Dance Memorial Trophy" is awarded to the rider,competing in the dressage for the first time, who scores the highest percentage that day. To everyone's delight Martin was first and Steven second. Both riders also achieved distinction rosettes in the Horse Care & Knowledge Class and were awarded 4th and 5th in the Turnout Class. What a memorable weekend!

@200811131709