Gatcombe Park on 30 September 2017

What a treat to be in the beautiful surroundings of Gatcombe Park for this Big Ride. With a 2 and 5 km route passing through Gatcombe Woods and a longer 14 km route starting at Highgrove and finishing at Gatcombe, there were plenty of options for RDA riders, volunteers and supporters to enjoy this stunning countryside – there was something for everyone.

Lyncombe Lodge Group set off as a group to clock up 10 km with two of their coaches riding with their 3 accomplished RDA riders. Wellow RDA Group brought 8 ponies for their riders. They described how much they had enjoyed riding out in the countryside, particularly going through the woods with quite a number experiencing this for the first time. Several of their 17 volunteers explained that they could not have organised the day without their ‘linch pin volunteer Anne Allen who puts hours and hours into their group’. Julia a blind rider from Dauntsey Group was last to go on the shorter routes. With her own horse lame, luckily Julia was able to borrow a horse that had just finished the longer ride. Full marks to Caroline from Dauntsey Group who having ridden the 14 km route then walked and ran next to Julia on her horse.

Lots of volunteers organised by County Chairman Rachel Vaughan-Johns helped out as stewards and made sure the day went smoothly. Two Groups Summerhouse and Clavenham & Winford who could not bring riders had volunteers stewarding and Sarah Hadley came from RDA National Office. Three young volunteers from Wellow Group walked 6km as part of their YELA and to add funds to the Big Ride for the National Training Centre Project.

Volunteers stewarding at Gatcombe were pleased to have a chance to talk to the Princess Royal when she came past them on a morning ride, before the Princess returned later in the day to present rosettes and certificates to happy riders. We were delighted that multi medal winning para rider Anne Dunham came to chat to riders at the finish.

Lucy an RDA rider from Wellow Group was pleased to complete the longer 14 km route on her young horse, which settled beautifully as she took the lead alongside regional chairman Lizzie Blair. This group of 14 had a couple of experienced Beaufort Hunt members along to help keep us on the right tracks including Pammy Jane Farquhar and Jane Tuckwell who helps run Badminton Horse Trials. Talland RDA organiser Caroline Longsdon was on a lovely dun horse bought to hunt with grandchildren. Sam and deputy chairman Sheila Saner were lucky enough to be on horses leant by past RDA Chairman Jane Holderness Roddam, who later came to the finish to catch up with RDA friends. Volunteers from Hauserley Hollow Group and Saxon Group talked about how much they enjoy RDA and it was good to get a chance to congratulate Kady, coach of Darren RDA Rider of the Year.

A lot of planning went into organizing this successful Big Ride and we were very grateful to our President the Princess Royal and the teams at Gatcombe and Highgrove for making it possible.

Greater London Region at Bushy Park on Sunday 24 September

Wow what an amazing event emerged from Horse Rangers and Park Lane RDA Groups joining forces! Over 100 riders on 30 lovely ponies rode in well organised groups round a beautiful 3 km course through Bushy Park in London. This was all made possible by lots of wonderful volunteers led by Nicky Wyss from Horse Rangers and Natalie O’Rourke from Park Lane, who organised registration, ponies, mounting, course stewarding, rosettes, cakes and more.

30 ponies gathered in the indoor school before the first ride set off entering Bushy Park in front of White Lodge led by two mounted police from the City Police Force, going up wide and grassy Lime Avenue heading towards Diana’s Fountain. There was lots of wildlife to be spotted including red deer.

Another 20 groups of riders followed throughout the afternoon and most were supported by volunteers and parents on foot. There was a great atmosphere and the enjoyment of riders many of whom were riding out in the park for the first time was evident. The parents of one young rider who had raised over £500 were keen to provide feedback on just how much riding with RDA had helped their son’s mobility. 35 RDA riders completed the beautiful course accompanied by coaches and non disabled riders with the volunteers and staff who had worked so hard all afternoon getting their turn later on. Fantastic weather added to the special feeling for this event and there was talk of these groups doing another Big Ride next year!

Sponsor Sam at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/samorde

North Midlands Region at Beacon Hill Country Park

Friday 22 September

Beacon Hill Country Park was an excellent location for a Big Ride with tracks for a 1km and a 5 km circuit in beautiful countryside, a big car park allowing an area to be sectioned off for mounting and mown grass area with plenty of space for refreshment gazebos and end of ride celebrations. It is also close to Dawn Kirby-Whitmore’s Meadows School of Riding, home of Ashmount and Wenlo RDA Groups and Dawn kindly provided ponies for these riders. Riders from Scropton RDA and Kimberley House RDA also joined brining in their own ponies.

The Big Ride started with a series of groups of led riders from Ashmount, Wenlo and Scropton RDA Groups completing the 1 km circuit, each coming back to line up for rosettes and certificates. We were delighted to have these presented by Nicky Morgan MP, Councillor David Snark and by Ashmount School Head Teacher and Chairman of Governors. All were attending the Big Ride to help Ashmount RDA celebrate 35 years, which was done in fine style with at least 3 cakes with candles!

Later the longer 5 km route was tackled by a medium speed and then faster group of mixed RDA riders and volunteers. We were delighted that participant representative Matt Dalley was able to ride on a borrowed RDA pony after being ‘gutted’ when discovering that his own horse had lost a shoe that morning.

Sponsor Sam at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/samorde

RDA Scottish Festival of Endurance, Highland RDA Group on Saturday 9 September

It was a great experience for the Big Ride to be part of an RDA Endurance Competition at Highland RDA Group’s wonderful venue overlooking the Moray Firth. We were welcomed by owner Christine Anderson, who was carrying a home baked cake to sustain riders across her yard which stables 100 horses.

10 RDA riders and 6 RDA coaches were soon getting kit ready for the competition: maps, bibs, water bottles, ponies. We were supported throughout the day by crew from Scottish Endurance Riding Club, who were brilliant and I learnt a lot about endurance from them. Farrier and vet checks were completed before we set out on a beautiful route organised by RDA Endurance Committee member, Brenda Burnett. Brenda had a busy day not only running the competition, but also competing herself taking two RDA riders along at a cracking pace.

At their allocated times riders set out in pairs with a coach to ride 15km, 11km or 8km through woodland and along grassy tracks on the beautiful Rosehaugh Estate. We were met at check points by crew who helped refresh the horses with a wash off and drink of sugar beet water. I was able to ride with regional coach Lorna Clark and use these points to change the group of RDA riders we accompanied, so that we got to ride with everyone.

There was a really positive vibe and during the ride and afterwards over cake riders explained why they enjoy RDA endurance so much:
Jill who has also been an RDA trustee for 14 years said: ‘It is all about enablement. I can’t walk without sticks & splints, but I can go out on a horse and enjoy the countryside.’
Mary who had rheumatoid arthritis at 17 said ‘I wouldn’t have had the recovery I had without riding. Why wouldn’t you enjoy riding in the countryside!’
Lisa talked about the ‘sense of freedom’. As well as being an RDA rider Lisa is the group’s volunteer coordinator and a big cheer went up at the prize giving when Lisa was presented with a trophy and certificate for achieving 160 km total for endurance rides. The celebrations did not stop there as a delighted Stuart received his certificate for 200km!

Tuesday 29 August in Cumbria
In this large region the Big Ride was to be undertaken in two parts. First in Cumbria a beautiful carriage drive and ride with two fantastic ponies: Monty a skewbald driving pony owned by Westmorland RDA whip Jenny Harris and Jack a Clydesdale cross riding pony owned by RDA driver and volunteer Faith Billington. These two are used to working together so there were no problems mixing carriage driving with riding.
Four people, two ponies, one carriage and one bike set off on a 10 km route. It was a bit like musical chairs as we got a turn in at least one saddle/seat! I was in the carriage for half and then riding lovely Jack. Where we could Jack went along off road alternatives before meeting up again with the carriage. This included an old railway line ‘The Hincaster Trail’, going past the Lancaster canal and Kent River and following a magical woodland path with fairy trees and decorations!

Thursday 31 August in Northumberland
After all the work that others are putting into organising Big Rides, it was about time that I helped out. It was a pleasure to welcome Morpeth Hunt Pony Club to a rally at my Ritton Farm and to combine this with a Big Ride. Close ties between pony club and RDA are helped by Michelle Macaulay, who is both District Commissioner and an RDA trustee/treasurer/coach.
Morpeth RDA Group and Newcastle & District Group each brought two riders and ponies as well as plenty of supporters. The morning saw the 4 young RDA riders set off leaving the rally field for a 3km route around the farm, accompanied by Sam, 7 young pony club riders and 14 on foot either leading or side walking. As we topped the hill we could see the North Sea, heather clad hills and views of 30 miles stretching away to the south. This was the first time that the RDA riders had been away from their usual venues to ride out in the countryside, although they were all quite experienced riders.
The two Newcastle RDA riders had recently returned from an RDA holiday week in Yorkshire, where they had learnt to canter and were delighted to pass their bronze RDA riding tests. Their coach Avril Lomas explained how helpful they had found one session on a mechanical horse for improving their canter. Avril has now found one that they can use in Northumberland for when it is raining as this group rides in an outdoor school.
Everyone joined together for a large and jolly pooled picnic lunch, before Sam headed out to add further kilometres to the Big Ride total with 4 Pony Club teenagers. The families at the pony club rally and others too donated funds split between the RDA Groups and RDA’s National Training Centre, in addition to riders getting themselves sponsored. There was mutual agreement that this partnership approach had been successful for all and enjoyable.

Sponsor Sam at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/samorde