News & event reports

The Presentation evening for the Summer Dressage League was well attended although not all of our winners were there! Photographs and results see "Dressage Presentation 09" link.

An EGM was held at the beginning of the meeting in line with the Riding Clubs Consitution to change the date of the AGM and Financial year end. The AGM then followed on with the following officials being re-elected:

Chair - Michelle Dowson

Treasurer - Vikkie Wilkinson

Secretary - Pam Jameson

Committee Members - Tina Lambert, Sharon Carman, Denise Armstrong, Katrina Love, Pam Lowery, Anna Pennell.

Burghley Horse Trials - A full coach travelled down to Burghley to watch the action (thanks to Patricia for organising it all) Everyone enjoyed themselves and got to watch the professionals in action! Thanks to Michael Holmes for the photo.

Natural Horsemanship Demonstration by Lorraine Wilson, August 09

Thank you to Lorraine and her family for a very warm welcome at Leasingthorne Farm, wehere 22 members and friends watched a fascinating demonstration of the bond between Lorraine and her horses. We watched everything from a Shetland on a see-saw to a pony who (after some showing off for the audience!) trotted and cantered on command. Members of the audience also got the opportunity to have a try ...

Fantastic Result for our Charity Dressage Competition - 30 May 09

Forty four people, including 14 disabled riders, took part in our second annual charity competition, raising a fantastic £1,000 for Wear Valley Riding for the Disabled Group.  On a hot sunny day, everyone had a great time at Hillrise Flats, Brancepeth, which Sharon Carman kindly providedfree of charge. Prizes were donated by local businesses, and there were also rosettes for the best turned-out horses and ponies.  It was an almost unique opportunity for RDA members to join in a competition with other riders, and gave everyone an insight into what this charity can achieve. We'd like to thank all our judges, sponsors and prize donors, who made the event so successful.

Christine Barratt-Atkin, who runs Wear Valley RDA Group in Escomb, plans to use the money towards harness for their new Dales pony, Mac, who will be introducing carriage-driving for RDA Group members.  Click here to see Christine's feedback and more photos of the event

Charity Dressage Competition, 31 May   No fewer than 61 people took part in our first-ever charity competition on a warm sunny day at Low Fold Farm EC. 77 tests were ridden in total, and we raised £737.46 for the Chemotherapy Unit of the University Hospital of Durham. Entries ranged from excited riding school pupils in their first competition to more serious competitors from as far afield as Richmond. We had six mother-and-daugher (or son) combinations, and riding school pupils competing agains their instructor. Feedback has been fantastic, with everyone wanting to do the same again soon! Thanks again to Katie and Nev at Low Fold, who provided their facilities and horses free of charge, and worked tirelessly to make the whole event possible.