National Championship qualification for disabled riders from the North Midlands

May and June saw a series of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Regional Qualifiers held at Scropton Horse Centre in Derbyshire. Participants from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire competed in Dressage, Show Jumping, the Countryside Challenge and Carriage Driving to win coveted places at the RDA National Championships.

The RDA National Championships is a unique and prestigious event, providing opportunities for riders with a range of additional needs from across the UK to compete for national titles. It’s an amazing event that really demonstrates RDA’s motto ‘It’s what you can do that counts’. The event takes place at Hartpury University & College in Gloucestershire from 14th-16th July 2023.

Cleethorpes & Grimsby riders proudly showing their achievements at National Championships 2022!

The regional qualifying competitions showed off the really high standards of riding and driving in the North Midlands RDA region. Particular congratulations go to Grace Cuddington of Belvoir Vale Riding for the Disabled who achieved the highest junior score in both Dressage and the Countryside Challenge. We’re excited to see how she and all our other riders get on at the Championships; we’re sure there’s going to be plenty of red rosettes won!

Grace Cuddington  - highest scoring junior rider!

Grace Cuddington of Belvoir Vale Riding for the Disabled who achieved the highest junior score in both Dressage and the Countryside Challenge.

Big thanks go to all of the volunteers who helped run the regional qualifiers including the judges, writers, scorers, stewards, first aid & safeguards, horsecare challenge testers and those serving refreshments. One volunteer in particular will be rewarded for his work within our RDA region; Matthew Dalley our Regional Publicity Officer has been chosen as the RDA UK Volunteer of the Year.

“I love volunteering for RDA and couldn’t be more proud to have my work recognised. I was previously a winner of the RDA Young Volunteer award so am delighted to have been selected again for an award. I can’t wait to go to the national Championships to have the award presented!”

Matthew Dalley, RDA UK Volunteer of the Year winner

Twenty-three Dressage riders, twelve Countryside Challenge riders, three show jumpers and four carriage drivers will be flying the flag for the North Midlands at the Riding for the Disabled Association’s National Championships in next two weeks time, alongside six equestrian themed arts and crafts qualifying entries. They’ll be supported at the event by RDA volunteers, families and carers, and of course our amazing RDA horses & ponies who are key to everything we do in RDA.