Group member of RDA
Registered Charity No. 1141360 (Please note our charity used to be known as Abingdon Group RDA with charity number 1074161, this charity ceased to exist in 2014 when it was replaced with the current incorporated form of RDA Abingdon Ltd (with the charity number 1141360). (A Group Member of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, Registered Company No 5010395, Registered Charity No, 244108) 
Abingdon RDA twinned with Kenya RDA Join our Facebook group Join our Facebook group ********************************************************************************************************************************** How to ride a dressage test: In October 2017 I took up a job at Abingdon RDA where I am part of a team that looks after the day to day care of the ponies. I was first introduced to RDA when I was nearly 3 years old. In 1999 at the John Radcliffe Hospital I was born with an upper limb deficiency meaning that I am missing part of my left hand and lower forearm and I am therefore classified as a Grade V rider in para-dressage. As I progressed with RDA I began entering competitions. I qualified at the Southern Region and won my first RDA National Championships aged 8 in 2007 on Star. Over the years I was lucky enough to compete many of the RDA ponies including Star, Speckles and Charlie B. Through RDA competitions I was then invited to participate in a British Dressage Para-Equestrian Talent Development competition in 2012 which I won aged 12 and following this was selected onto the British Equestrian Federation Para-Equestrian Entry Programme. I went on to compete at a British Dressage Para-Equestrian Rider Development competition which I won riding my current horse Buzz. In 2015 I was selected onto the British Equestrian Federation Excel Talent Programme which seeks to identify, support and develop riders and horses that demonstrate talent and potential in the Paralympic discipline of Para-dressage. I have since represented England Central Region competing in my first Para Home International where I won the Grade V overall individual title. In future years my aims are to be selected onto World Class Podium Potential and to compete internationally for Great Britain. Having completed my first dressage test aged 7, and continuing to compete regularly in able bodied and para competitions since, I have put together some top tips for increasing your scores in dressage. I am always learning and by no means an expert but I hope that some of you may find them helpful. My top tips for increasing your scores in dressage: • Memorise your test – even if you are having your test called, knowing it well is crucial to riding a good test. This will allow you to focus your attention on riding your horse. Personally, to help with memorising tests I like to visualise my test in my head with my eyes shut or read the test aloud to my mum. Other options are to set up a mini arena at home in your living room and walk your test on foot or sketch it out on a whiteboard. • Centre lines – these open and finish each dressage test you ride and are therefore very important as they are the first and last impression the judge has of you. The two centre line movements are both worth 10 marks and should therefore not be overlooked as they are easy marks to earn but also easy marks to lose. • Enter on your preferred rein, look up, smile at the judge and remember to keep straight after the halt all the way to C. • Don’t cut the corners – corners are a valuable opportunity to give you a few extra seconds to prepare and set up for the next movement. It is easy to fly through the corners when you are focusing on the next movement so riding your corners must become a habit. Instead, take advantage of the corner perhaps to do a small half halt so you come out of the corner as prepared as you can be for the next movement. • Accuracy – this is so important because it is almost totally in your control. Simple things like riding your transitions on the marker and making your circles round and the right size can help to improve scores. Be sure to look up, not down at your horse, this will help you be more accurate and prepare for your transitions whilst also helping with your riding position. • Enjoy it – remember that things don’t always go to plan with horses! If one movement doesn’t go as well as you had hoped, don’t worry, it is only one movement out of the test and it won’t have a huge impact on your overall score. Ride each movement the best you can regardless of the last one. Judges love to see a happy partnership so remember to enjoy yourself! Molly Bowen-Morris
This page is all about education. From time to time, we will add new resources.  We welcome input from instructors, riders, or anyone else. Questions: Can you fill in the blanks: Poisonous plants - questions Poisonous plants - answers Thank you to the Blue Cross for providing the worksheets below: Feet & Bridle - questions Feet & Bridle - answers Happy Horse - what makes a horse happy.  Download a picture to illustrate.  Colouring - use the download above of pick a horse picture from here.   See if you can colour the markings of your favourite RDA horse. Here are links to pictures of some our horses to help you with their markings: Bryn   Candy  Mr Brown  Prin  Malcolm  Rosie   Maple  Speckles  Ernie  You will notice that Bryn is stabled as a precaution. Do you know why?  The answer is here. Horse hazards - identify Horse hazards - answers RDA HQ resources Grade 1 - Riding and Horse Care Worksheet Answers Grade 2 - Riding and Horse Care Worksheet Answers Grade 3 - Riding and Horse Care Worksheet Answers https://www.countrysidegreetings.co.uk/pages/crosswords-free-to-do-download-print https://www.horsesinsideout.com/shop - This link is good for volunteers, coaches and the older riders
Registered Charity No. 1141360 (A Group Member of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, Registered Company No 5010395, Registered Charity No, 244108)
© Abingdon RDA 2024
Please donate and leave a message Join our Facebook group Join our Facebook group How to ride a dressage test: In October 2017 I took up a job at Abingdon RDA where I am part of a team that looks after the day to day care of the ponies. I was first introduced to RDA when I was nearly 3 years old. In 1999 at the John Radcliffe Hospital I was born with an upper limb deficiency meaning that I am missing part of my left hand and lower forearm and I am therefore classified as a Grade V rider in para-dressage. As I progressed with RDA I began entering competitions. I qualified at the Southern Region and won my first RDA National Championships aged 8 in 2007 on Star. Over the years I was lucky enough to compete many of the RDA ponies including Star, Speckles and Charlie B. Through RDA competitions I was then invited to participate in a British Dressage Para-Equestrian Talent Development competition in 2012 which I won aged 12 and following this was selected onto the British Equestrian Federation Para-Equestrian Entry Programme. I went on to compete at a British Dressage Para-Equestrian Rider Development competition which I won riding my current horse Buzz. In 2015 I was selected onto the British Equestrian Federation Excel Talent Programme which seeks to identify, support and develop riders and horses that demonstrate talent and potential in the Paralympic discipline of Para-dressage. I have since represented England Central Region competing in my first Para Home International where I won the Grade V overall individual title. In future years my aims are to be selected onto World Class Podium Potential and to compete internationally for Great Britain. Having completed my first dressage test aged 7, and continuing to compete regularly in able bodied and para competitions since, I have put together some top tips for increasing your scores in dressage. I am always learning and by no means an expert but I hope that some of you may find them helpful. My top tips for increasing your scores in dressage: • Memorise your test – even if you are having your test called, knowing it well is crucial to riding a good test. This will allow you to focus your attention on riding your horse. Personally, to help with memorising tests I like to visualise my test in my head with my eyes shut or read the test aloud to my mum. Other options are to set up a mini arena at home in your living room and walk your test on foot or sketch it out on a whiteboard. • Centre lines – these open and finish each dressage test you ride and are therefore very important as they are the first and last impression the judge has of you. The two centre line movements are both worth 10 marks and should therefore not be overlooked as they are easy marks to earn but also easy marks to lose. • Enter on your preferred rein, look up, smile at the judge and remember to keep straight after the halt all the way to C. • Don’t cut the corners – corners are a valuable opportunity to give you a few extra seconds to prepare and set up for the next movement. It is easy to fly through the corners when you are focusing on the next movement so riding your corners must become a habit. Instead, take advantage of the corner perhaps to do a small half halt so you come out of the corner as prepared as you can be for the next movement. • Accuracy – this is so important because it is almost totally in your control. Simple things like riding your transitions on the marker and making your circles round and the right size can help to improve scores. Be sure to look up, not down at your horse, this will help you be more accurate and prepare for your transitions whilst also helping with your riding position. • Enjoy it – remember that things don’t always go to plan with horses! If one movement doesn’t go as well as you had hoped, don’t worry, it is only one movement out of the test and it won’t have a huge impact on your overall score. Ride each movement the best you can regardless of the last one. Judges love to see a happy partnership so remember to enjoy yourself! Molly Bowen-Morris
This page is all about education. From time to time, we will add new resources.  We welcome input from instructors, riders, or anyone else. Questions: Can you fill in the blanks: Poisonous plants - questions Poisonous plants - answers Thank you to the Blue Cross for providing the worksheets below: Feet & Bridle - questions Feet & Bridle - answers Happy Horse - what makes a horse happy.  Download a picture to illustrate.  Colouring - use the download above of pick a horse picture from here.   See if you can colour the markings of your favourite RDA horse. Here are links to pictures of our horses to help you with their markings: Here are links to pictures of some our horses to help you with their markings: Bryn   Candy  Mr Brown  Prin  Malcolm  Rosie   Maple  Speckles  Ernie  Jasper  You will notice that Marley has a rug on.  Does anyone know why?  The answer is here. You will notice that Bryn is stabled as a precaution. Do you know why?  The answer is here. Horse hazards - identify Horse hazards - answers RDA HQ resources Grade 1 - Riding and Horse Care Worksheet Answers Grade 2 - Riding and Horse Care Worksheet Answers Grade 3 - Riding and Horse Care Worksheet Answers *************************************************** https://www.countrysidegreetings.co.uk/pages/crosswords-free-to-do-download-print https://www.horsesinsideout.com/shop - This link is good for volunteers, coaches and the older rider ***************************************************