Pre-Christmas Cross Country Event

A big thank you to the Aztec Group for sponsoring RDA's first cross country event held at La Carriere Stables. Riders were encouraged to negotiate their way around a numbered obstacle course demonstrating the riding skills they had learnt in their lessons - halting, weaving between cones, collecting and depositing objects, trotting and level 1 jumping techniques. Riders were presented with beautiful rosettes courtesy of Aztec, by their Managing Director Rob Jones We were delighted that our Patron, Lady Corder, was able to attend to make the event extra special

The Co-Op Helping Hands Initiative

RDA Guernsey recently received a donation from the Co-Op Helping Hands Initiative for which very many thanks. Watch this short video clip to see how RDA seeks to help our riders and how we have used the Co-Op's donation

Stop Press!!!

Brett came fifth out of 15 in the National RDA Countryside Challenge Championships at Hartpury - the only blind competitor in his class - so a fantastic achievement for him and all the team.

Huge thanks go to Janet Alderton and her team at Rude2Achieve and her horse Malteser loaned to Brett for the event, to Terry Lihou who accompanied Brett, law firm Appleby for their generous donations and to all TDA coaches and volunteers who have helped Brett to come so far. And yes he did get to ride the mechanical horse, experiencing what it is like to canter, gallop and jump!

A First for Guernsey RDA

For the first time a Guernsey RDA rider has competed off island. We are thrilled that Brett, one of our riders, has qualified for the National RDA Dressage Championships taking place at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire 12th to 14th July. He had only been riding with RDA for just over a year when he was able to compete at the South Region Qualifying Event that took place at Wellington, Hampshire in May, thanks to the Blue Islands 'my bi flight fund' which provided free UK flights. Coming first in one class and second in another ensured his place at the National Championships. Law firm Appleby has made generous donations to assist with transport to Hartpury and enable him to train on their mechanical horses whilst there - something that Brett is particularly excited about.

Brett has been blind since the age of 15 and during his year with RDA has demonstrated great empathy with his equine partners and impressive horsemanship skills. RDA instructors Heidi Ephgrave, Liz Froome and Terry Lihou have worked with him to develop his confidence and ability.

Brett manoeuvres his mount round the arena, negotiating obstacles by responding to commands called by his instructors - halting, walking, trotting and completing various tasks. His poise is impressive and his commitment and ambition are second to none. We at RDA are enormously proud of his achievements and thrilled to have been involved with his progress.

Special thanks to Blue Islands and Appleby for their very generous support on Brett's journey.

End of Year Gymkhanas

Our annual gymkhanas marking the end of riding for the school year took place on

gloriously hot days in early July. It was an opportunity for friends and family to come along and see just what our young riders had achieved over the year.

Riders were able to demonstrate their skills through a variety of games and there were rosettes for all.

Big thank yous to all our helpers and to the wonderful ponies for their gentle, careful behaviour.