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Abingdon GroupRiders' & Instructors' StoriesWhy is RDA so special? I have been a
member of Abingdon Riding for the Disabled for 33 years as I have
Spina Bifida.
In 1975 at 7 years old after a chance meeting between my mother and Ann Barlow (Chairman of the Group) I joined the group as a rider at a local riding school where the newly formed RDA group had recently been started. This was the
beginning of my love affair with “The Horse” My family were not
horse lovers and I was given the choice of RDA or Brownies – I chose
riding! My whole family
sacrificed so much of their time for me to do RDA since although my
brother was away for much of the time my sister was not old enough
to be left alone.
For many years I
looked forward to my weekly riding lesson riding a variety of horses
and ponies. I can remember when it was held on a Friday evening I
was allowed golden syrup sandwiches before we went – what a
treat! Along the way
there were many experiences which were to play a huge part in my
life….. Some not so
good: falling off – I
think you have to do that 7 times before you become a proper
rider! Reaching the final
selection trails but not being picked for the team for the first
International dressage competition to be held in Some fantastic ones: Riding
holidays During that time I
learnt so much and developed a love and passion for dressage which I
was able to pursue until 2003 when my first daughter was born. At the age of 17 I
reached a milestone – I passed my driving test and was able to drive
myself to the stables.
I was not tied to 1 hour a week – I could go when I wanted to
help out. There were
many classes I could get involved with and I could also carry on
riding Eight years ago I
became a Group Instructor which gave me yet more opportunities to
give back some of what I had learnt over the preceding years. In 2001 I got married and my
husband became a helper in the lessons I was teaching. He also
became part of the Carriage driving team who met weekly. With two young children
Anthony and I cannot give so much time but I still am able to go up
to the stables at weekends when Anthony can babysit! Why am I still
part of the RDA now that I have a family of my own? I am still part
of Abingdon RDA because it is they who have shaped me into the
person who I am and I have made lifelong friends in people and
horses. It is a
tremendous privilege to have met so many Instructors, helpers and
riders, not to mention the horses and ponies who have served and
continue to serve religiously without complaint. I cannot imagine
life without it Anna
Hummerston
HOLIDAYS ON THE RIDGEWAY - ABINGDON GROUP To spend a week in the summer riding the Ridgeway along paths filled with clouds of different coloured butterflies feeding on wild buddleia and a mass of other flowers, can only be summed up as a very special privilege.
In 1993 the Group decided that they really should make the most of having the Berkshire Downs on their doorstep. The Court Hill Youth Hostel, a beautifully converted barn complex just off the A338, with magnificent views down to Letcombe Regis and far beyond, seemed to be the ideal place to base ourselves for the week. It not only had excellent accommodation for both our helpers and disabled riders, but also a feed room and stabling for 4 ponies. Very conveniently the farm below the Hostel was owned by some good friends and they were more than happy for us to use a field and stable facilities for the rest of our ponies.
We decided that the best way to run our riding week was to bring our ponies up to the Ridgeway on the Sunday, and to have our helpers ride in the afternoon to settle the ponies into their new environment at the pace that would be the norm for the whole week. This has proved an invaluable exercise as an area such as the Ridgeway with a seemingly endless horizon and tempting stretches of gallops, might encourage even the best RDA pony to become extremely headstrong. Throughout the years we have normally taken between 8 and 10 horses, with at least 3 of the smallest ponies being stabled at the Youth Hostel. On Sunday evening the first disabled riders arrive at the Hostel in time to help clean tack, have supper and finally make sure the ponies are fed and watered last thing at night. Usually there are 2 helpers in charge of up to 4 riders and of course the evening is full of fun, playing a variety of card and board games. If it is a fine evening there is enough space outside to play football or just walk through the Beech woods to look down on the farm where the rest of the ponies are making the most of a wonderful large field. Each cabin has 4 bunk beds - needless to say there is always a rush to choose the best bed! The helpers sleep in the next door cabin. Unfortunately the walls are rather thin so they cannot help but listen to the inevitable high jinks, discussions on the best and worst ponies, and as deep secrets start to unfold, it is certainly time to bang on the wall to bid them a final good night!
At around 7 a.m. the next morning the riders are woken and the helpers, wondering if they have had any sleep at all, supervise the feeding of the ponies before mucking out. It comes as quite a shock to some of the children how many wheelbarrows of wet straw and manure come out of each stable! Everybody is more than ready for a hearty breakfast of fried eggs and bacon. Then it is time to groom and tack up the ponies. Meanwhile more helpers have arrived and have set off down to the farm below to catch, groom and tack up those ponies. By 10 ish the ponies from Court Hill are ridden down the steep hill to the farm to meet up with the other riders, helpers, walkers and sometimes cyclists. As one can imagine it always takes much longer than one thinks to get everyone organised, but we are usually ready to set off by 10.45 a.m. The rides along the Ridgeway and connecting bridleways are carefully planned to suit the particular riders for that day- and possibly the fitness of our walkers too! Ideally we have one helper rider in charge of one disabled rider with 2 or 3 walkers who are side walkers or general backups, adding enouragement when necessary. On occasions we have had mountain bike enthusiasts with us who have not only been indespensible, biking on to make sure we are taking the correct path, but having fun themselves - we certainly never have to wait for them! Depending on our riders we will ride anything from 1 - 2 hours before our designated lunch stop and then another 1 - 2 hours afterwards. Lunch is often at a very well situated barn at a 4 way junction in the heart of the downs. The ponies have become very adept at pinching the odd sandwich or apple out of an unsuspecting hand, and some have even perfected the art of tackling a box drink from a straw! Last year we improvised a hitching line for most of the ponies to be tied to, so that the hungry riders could eat their lunch in peace. Remounting riders after lunch without mounting blocks has proved that with improvisation anything is possible! Stiles, gates, banks and even a fork lift tractor with a pallette in front have all been used to great effect and much laughter.
The range of riders who come out for the days experience on the Ridgeway is huge - from a three year old little boy who was determined to make it all the way, despite his mothers anxiety, to blind adults, who are quite willing to put their trust in their ponies and helpers. Some of the more able riders are happy to do a 14 mile ride with the odd canter , which is a tremendous achievement and even the helper riders are more than thankful to sink into a deep bath after such a long time in the saddle! But even the most disabled enjoy riding up to 5 miles in such a breath taking landscape of ever changing shades and colours. On one occasion a very nervous teenager started off slightly reticent at doing anything more than a walk. After a lengthy but quiet trot on the lead he suddenly said he wanted to trot by himself - after that there was no stopping him. He was totally relaxed and his big grin said it all! This is what the week on the Ridgeway is all about, giving our riders the time and encouragement they need to achieve a particular goal. And so back to the stables after a day of fun and laughter, and in time to welcome the next group of riders and helpers for that night, and the following day. In a nutshell our weeks riding holiday on the Ridgeway brings the best ingredients of RDA together - fun, excitement, camaraderie, team work and achievement. Milla Harvey. Sue's story........ What is a Doo Doo?? So the holiday begins ...
(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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