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Abingdon RDA - News
Saturday 22nd Nov 08. Instructor Training at the RDA Many thanks to all who gave demonstrations and talks To all those who arranged it and also to those who worked behind the scenes. We had a very informative and interesting day with a large turnout. This was the program (links lead to Power Point presentations): 10.00
“Is My Horse in Pain? How can I Tell?” Sue Devereux BA BVSC
MRCVS Lloyds Bank give us a make-over. Many thanks to Lloyds Bank who have done a wonderful job on our driveway. We have also had our school painted which makes it so much light. RM The
great team from RM, led by Chris Wilson, who spent a Friday painting
our tack room and the gallery window.
Thank you RM team! In
2008 50th The Game Fair was held at When we agreed to do it months before, it sounded easy! There was, in the end, of course, a huge amount of planning. We were to be in a 15 meter square arena, so decided that two children at a time would be enough. Speckles and Charlie were the chosen, best behaved, never do anything wrong, ponies! In all 14 children demonstrated over the 3 days, and all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of performing in front of a crowd of strangers, with all sorts of things going on all around them – we even had the hunt in the next door arena. It was very very hot, and the ponies found their stabling very small and not what they were used to. Charlie took 2 of our helpers on an unexpected dash for freedom – how I wish I had had a camera. He also thought the hunt very interesting, but once he was in the arena he was as good as gold. Terry
who runs the South Region Caravan was a tower of strength to us in
several hours of need. Milla sadly twisted her ankle and
required the attention of the paramedics, thus leaving us with out a
leader – Terry gallantly came to the rescue. Gwen instructed
all 7 sessions and did a brilliant job, and I think that everyone
thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The crowds were immense and
the organisers of the Fair must be very proud of themselves for
producing such an immaculate event.
More pictures in right-hand margin Catherine Duff has just completed an epic 86 miles in under 24 hours. She ran and walked from Ivinghoe Beacon near Aylesbury to Avebury in Wiltshire - all along the Ridgeway. She is hoping to raise a huge sum of money for the Clwyd Special Riding Centre and Abingdon RDA. It's not too late to donate! You can pledge money by email or leave a cheque at the stables. Please be sure to fill in the form for Gift Aid (you'll find some at the stables). Well done Catherine - you are an amazing star! Support Catherine here - send us an email
Waiting on the Ridgeway for Catherine.
Catherine and team on the Ridgeway. The Manor Preparatory School in Abingdon have raised a magnificent amount for the purchase of Red Rooster of the Manor and George of the Manor. Thanks to all the children, parents staff and sponsors.
Abingdon RDA twins with Kenya RDA Visit to Kenya RDA March 08As most of you know, Ann and I havea close connection with Kenya; Ann having lived there in the past, and I still spend most of every winter there. So we were thrilled when our dream of twinning with Kenya RDA became a reality last year. Sue Anderson, who is their senior riding instructor and very much a driving force, has become a personal friend and of course was equally delighted that our twinning idea got the official go-ahead from National HQ. It was a great thought to get some green baseball caps with the twinning logo on them as Christmas presents for the Kenya RDA riders and our thanks go to all of you who so generously financed them. In January I took these caps out to Kenya intending to present them to the riders as soon as we arrived. But the December elections in Kenya sparked off a very troubled period, and the Rift Valley area in particular became very unstable with widespread ethnic cleansing, resulting in large refugee camps. A very sad sight which I never thought I would experience, let alone become involved in. A number of the Kenya RDA riders come from the Dagoretti Children’s’ Home which is based in a typically overcrowded dormitory area near Nairobi. While the political troubles were at their height these children were unable to have their weekly riding lessons so Sue decided that the caps should be presented at the end of term, when matters would hopefully be quieter. Fortunately our return flight to UK was delayed by one day which enabled Hamish and me to spend our last afternoon with the Group and do the honours.
The premises from which the Group operates is very close to Sue’s home although sadly the land has now been sold. This means the Group will have to move to a temporary place until such time as they can find and finance a permanent centre. We arrived early to set up the equipment and to get the hats and shoes sorted for Sue’s 2 rides, while the syces (grooms) with the ponies, which are lent by local people, saddled up with special tack as necessary. The children arrived in a smart new minibus looking happy and excited at the prospect of their weekly ride. They all knew the routine of sitting in the shade shelter where hats and safari boots were fitted before each was mounted on their assigned pony under the guidance of Jane, the Group’s physio. The outside school of sand was dusty and very hot. But the kids and helpers all took it in their stride and there was a game of ball catching while waiting for the class to assemble. Sue had decided that the children would take part in the RDA National Musical Ride Video competition later this year, so we spent time practicing the routine which incorporated arm and hand movements depicting giraffes, crocodiles, lions, etc. It will be performed to Africa drum music. It was great to see the obvious enjoyment on the children’s faces and the tremendous encouragement and enthusiasm given by the side-helpers and syces. All the ponies behaved so well coping with such disabled riders. Needless to say I really enjoyed playing my part as a side-helper, looking after 2 absolutely delightful children. I was extremely impressed by the afternoon’s proceedings, including the lovely and caring staff who accompanied the children in the minibus. They even produced drawing paper and coloured pencils to amuse the kids who were able and wanted to use them. Once the children were seated back in the shade I presented each of them with a cap- a big smile on their faces said it all I know Sue Anderson and her team would warmly welcome any of you who wanted to visit them, and you could always combine such a visit with a super holiday in such a beautiful country. Instructors' Training DayOn the 17th November 2007 an Instructors' Training Day was held at the Abingdon Centre. Mrs. Ro Pudden, the National Equine Welfare Officer, ran the day in conjunction with Mrs. Waveney Luke, Oxfordshire County Chairman, and Mrs. Moo Nowell-Smith, Oxfordshire County Instructor.Ro opened the day with a very interesting and down to earth talk on pony use - matching ponies to riders, length of time a rider rides, potential problems caused to our ponies by unbalanced riders, etc., and how we can attempt to make sure our ponies do not suffer unnecessary stress through over use. Ro's talk was followed by a fascinating demonstration by Isla Millar, an Equine Sports Massage Therapist. She had spent the first half of the morning with a paint brush and Clipper in the stalls, where on Clipper's near side she painted in white his skeleton, and on his offside she painted in colours his muscles and tendons, Isla then put Clipper on the lunge and showed us what happens when a horse moves, and how we can avoid unnecessary stresses and strains to our ponies. It was a most interesting morning and we are grateful to both our speakers and to Waveney and Moo for organising such a worth while training day.
Click on image for to enlarge
Click on image for to enlarge Kenya RDAThe children from the Dagoretti Children’s Centre waiting for the arrival of Father Christmas at RDA.
4th November 2007 Dressage Day On November 4th we held an "in-house" dressage day for those riders who were not able to compete at the Southern Region show. Although the weather was not great, around 16 riders turned out to ride. Very many thanks to all those who prepared the horses on the morning, Rebecca and Louise our judge and writer, and also to Francis and Anthony who spent the morning adding up the scores. The horses also have to be mentioned since Sunday is usually their day off! The overall standard of riding was extremely high - a credit to all those who work with the riders. I hope the morning was fun and a unique experience for all concerned. I look forward to possibly holding another day next Autumn. 14th Sept 2007 Sponsored Ride We were extremely disappointed to have to cancel our sponsored ride at Blenheim Palace. Understandably, due to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth, DEFRA would not give permission for us to go ahead. Blenheim Palace keep sheep on the land, so it would have put them at risk. Apologies to all those who were looking forward to a fun day out. July 2007 Abingdon RDA twins with Kenya RDA It was decided at the last meeting of the Abingdon Group Trustees
that we should embark on a 'twinning' arrangement with Kenya.
Some of us have very strong connections with Kenya, and know Sue
Anderson, who runs the Kenya RDA. They feel out on a limb
stuck away in the middle of Africa, and we feel that not only
could we give them some useful input, but that we could learn
a lot from them. I hope that some of our children might enjoy Ann Barlow.
(A Group Member of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, Registered Company No.5010395, Registered Charity No. 244108)
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