here - Gareloch RDA

Argyll CD
Arran
Avondale
Auchterader
Blairgowrie
Breadalbane
Carrick
Clydesdale
Forth Valley
Gareloch
Glasgow
Glenfarg
Monklands
Oban & Lorne
Strathearn
Winton
Woodside
Jane Isaac
Rona Fulton
Ian Fraser
Emma Cameron
Christine Humble
Susan Duncan-Millar
Brian Cuthbert
Yvonne Walkinshaw
Liz Patton
Kate Bennet
Michelle Fleming
Pat Scotland
George McMath
Lorna Carmichael
Anne Stevenson
Mandy Sinclair
Maureen Spy
Chairman
Group Instructor
Chairman
Group Organiser
Secretary
Organiser
Chairman
Group Organiser Chairman
Chairman
Manager
Group Organiser
Chairman
Chairman
Group Organiser
Group Organiser
Group Organiser
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[email protected]
[email protected].
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REGIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
REGIONAL CHAIRMAN Mrs Kate Bennet 152 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh G84 7AX
e.mail: [email protected]
REGIONAL SECRETARY
Ms Mary Dunlop
Larne House; 31 Buchanan Street, Balfron G63 0TS
e.mail: [email protected]
REGIONAL TREASURER
Mrs Margaret McCrossan62 Glasgow Rd; Blanefield G63 9HX
e.mail: [email protected]
REGIONAL INSTRUCTOR
TBC
REGIONAL CARRIAGE
DRIVING REPRESENTATIVE Mrs Patsy Muir-Simpson Redmarley, Kippen, Stirling, FK8 3HS
e.mail: [email protected]
01436 679 095
mobile 07721 515 190
01360 449 511
mobile 07711 558 535
mobile 07969 546 831
Mrs Christine Burton
Burndale, 72 Hall Road, Nemphlar, Lanark, ML11 9JE
e.mail: [email protected]
Mrs Isabelle Thomson
North Blochairn, Craigmaddie, Milngavie, G62 6HE
e.mail: [email protected]
Helen Kallow
e.mail: [email protected]
It’s what you can do that counts
West and Central Scotland Region
REGIONAL DRESSAGE QUALIFYING
COMPETITION AND COUNTRYSIDE CHALLENGE
Over 30 competitors took part, representing 6 groups within the
Region. The groups represented were Bannockburn; Carrick;
Gareloch; Winton; Clydesdale and Glasgow.
The tack and turnout section was run differently this year and
again was very hard to judge!
For the first time in a long while we had a totally blind competitor.
She rode beautifully, though it was a little scary for her callers in
the indoor school as she cantered towards them! She and her
partially sighted team mate also put on a mesmerising display of
pairs dressage, guided by callers at each of the arena markers.
Thanks must go to the Glasgow Group for the use of their
facilities. Thanks also to the judges, who did a splendid job, and
to our photographer, Bill Mclean, Acer Photography.
The Cup Winners were:
THE GARDNER TROPHY
Dressage Non-Qualifying Classes - Lauren Dempsey, Glasgow.
BANK OF SCOTLAND TROPHY
RDA Countryside Challenge - Intermediate - Erin Lee, Glasgow
PUNCHBOWL TROPHY
RDA Countryside Challenge - Novice - Alan Singleton, Winton.
STRATHCLYDE POLICE CUP
Tack and Turnout - Alan Singleton / Jack Andrew, Winton.
01786 870 351
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01560 484 055
mobile 07799 083 990
01631 720 655
mobile 07990 612 781
01360 440 573
mobile 07971 021 815
01577 840 437
mobile 07768 181 338
COUNTY INSTRUCTORS
Riding for the Disabled Association
Incorporating Carriage Driving
LINDSAY TROPHY
Dressage Qualifying Classes - Erin Lee, Glasgow.
COUNTY CHAIRMEN
AYR
Mrs Penny Buchanan
29 The Fieldings, Newmill Road, Dunlop, Ayrshire, KA3 4AU
e.mail: [email protected]
ARGYLL
Mrs Jane Isaac
Baravulin Beag, Ledaig, by Oban, PA37 1QS
e.mail: [email protected] CENTRAL
Mrs June Grainger
Mid Balfunning, Balfron Station, Balfron, Glasgow, G63 0NF
e.mail: [email protected]
PERTH
Mrs Dorothy Wilson
Druimannan, Rumbling Bridge, Kinross, KY13 0PT
e.mail: [email protected]
News 2014
October
RDA West & Central Scotland Region Group Contacts
01555 660 611
0141 956 3960
mobile 07771 622 115
01324 555 498
mobile 07941 808 043
JEAN MASSON TROPHY
Combined Competition - Alan Singleton, Winton.
GLASGOW
Glasgow RDA has given riding
opportunities to 360 riders in the
last year. We could not have
achieved this without our team
of dedicated staff and volunteers.
New classes have been arranged
and individual riders slotted in to
existing classes.
RDA
Glasgow
Group
was
delighted to host the West and
Central
Scotland
Regional
Dressage
Competition.
The
Glasgow Group was pleased
to enter more riders than in the
last few years as it was on home
ground; all the riders seemed to
enjoy the whole experience of
the competition. The results they
achieved were fantastic!
Congratulations are due to all
our riders, but particularly to
Erin Lee on Tara who won the
Lindsay Trophy for the highest
marks in the qualifying class
of the dressage competition
and the Bank of Scotland
Trophy for the highest marks in
the Intermediate Countryside
Challenge. Congratulations go
too, to Lauren Dempsey who won
the Gardner Trophy for the Non
– qualifying Dressage Test. The
Scottish Dressage Competition
also took place at Sandyflat and
we are hoping to be able to host
the Regional Competition again
next year.
We have leased a new towing
vehicle after raising some of
the initial costs from Trusts and
other donations.
Fundraising
continues to play an important
part in ensuring that we can
continue to offer the RDA
experience to the maximum
number of disabled people.
REGIONAL PUBLICITY ORGANISER
Kilewnan Cottage, Fintry, By Glasgow, G63 0YH
Mrs Gillie Drapper
e.mail: [email protected]
01360 860 243
mobile 07748 183 239
DISABLED PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTATIVE
Anne Johnston
Lilybank, Old School Road, Garelochhead, G84 0AT e.mail: [email protected]
01436 810 425 mobile 07795 388 165
Photographs courtesy of: Audrey Peebles / Acer Photography / Andy Campbell & Michael Martin Photography
Printers: Printed by JJR PRINT LTD Publicity Officer: Gillie Drapper, RDA West & Central Scotland, Tel: 01360 860 243 Email: [email protected]
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Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving, Norfolk House, 1a Tournament Court, Edgehill Drive, Warwick, CV34 6LG
A UK Company Limited by Guarantee No: 5010395 • A Charity Registered in Scotland (No: SC039473) and England & Wales (No: 244108)
President: HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO QSO
ARRAN
It’s been a very busy year for Arran RDA
with us leaving our ‘home’ at Oakbank and
moving to another riding school nearer
the centre of the village of Lamlash. The
ponies have settled well in their new 12
acres of grazing, sheds and equipment
has all been moved and the new surface
for the riding school is arriving next month.
Throughout this year there have also been
a few notable occasions.
Back in March I was contacted by Arran
High School who wanted to research
Arran RDA as part of a project which
would give them the opportunity to win a
grant for their charity.
Arran RDA was chosen by two teams for
their presentations, and the photo shows
our winning team! Thanks to Jasmine,
Trefor, Ryan and Gemma for all their hard
work. The cheque for £3000 will be spent
well! What a great idea to raise awareness
of all the local charities.
The winning team with Tabitha and Dan,
our RDA ponies who went along on the
day to give support.
In August, one of our RDA riders Charlie
McAllister made her debut at The Arran
Show – and won 2 red rosettes with Dan
our RDA pony (who was also a star). We
couldn’t have done it without volunteer
Hazel Ramage’s help in the run up to the
show and also on the day!
Chairman’s Letter
CARRICK
Thank you to all the groups that have made me
so welcome this past year, including Arran to
see their new site, Blairgowrie to meet their new
pony, Breadalbane at their spectacular hilltop
facility, Clydesdale for their AGM and opening
of their new outdoor arena, Forth Valley to meet
their delightful riders, volunteers and ponies,
Strathearn for their anniversary celebrations,
the AGM and Regional Dressage at Glasgow
and the anniversary celebrations at Winton. I am
looking forward to visiting the Woodside Group
very shortly and hope to visit Monklands before
too long.
Unfortunately I have not managed to get up
to Argyll recently but was delighted to be at
Hopetoun House for the RDA Carriage Driving
competition. Despite the damp weather, all
the drivers put in excellent, determined efforts.
Alison as you will have read elsewhere in this
newsletter won the competition and then went
on to win at the National Championships at
Hartpury. Very well done everyone. I receive
regular enquiries from participants wanting to
take part in carriage driving but there are now so
few venues in Scotland. I hope that if it is at all
possible more groups will look into the potential
for carriage driving. I am sure that Jane Isaacs
and Patsy Muir Simpson will be happy to give
practical advice.
The tragic loss of Bannockburn Group has of
course been upper most in our minds. It seems
clear that the group’s landlord left the trustees
with little option but to close down. There will
undoubtedly be widespread repercussions
for all those connected with the centre but our
hopes are that as many as possible will be able
to continue with riding activities in some form
or other. Our thoughts are with all the staff,
volunteers and participants who worked so hard
to create this exceptional centre.
Following the long and hard months at
Bannockburn, Sara has decided that she would
like to take a step back from RDA. On all our
behalves I send our very best wishes and thanks
for her invaluable and inspirational contribution
to our groups, region and RDA nationally. She is
not going far and I hope that we will continue to
see her from time to time. For the time being the
role of Regional Instructor is vacant. The County
instructors, Isabelle, Christine and Helen will
continue to be available with log books, reviews,
instructing queries, etc. They are greatly
In August Carrick RDA ran a very successful training day with 30
volunteers attending, County Instructor, Isabelle Thompson introduced
volunteers to the challenges of looking after blind riders.
GARELOCH GROUP
Bannockburn Centre was the home
of the Mechanical Horse given to the
Region by Horsescotland. We are
pleased that he has now relocated to
the Gareloch Group in Helensburgh.
As soon as he has a new kitted out
‘stable’ we hope that groups from
throughout the region will take the
opportunity to use him.
Members of the Gareloch group
recently enjoyed a wonderful day
out on the mechanical horses at
Ingliston under the supervision
of Gilean Docherty, the Regional
Physio. It was not only great fun but
extremely useful for the riders and
instructors. Gilean has said that she
would be more than happy to run
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similar events for groups or riders in
Helensburgh. More information will
follow.
.
experienced and between them I am sure will
be able to answer any questions. If any RDA
instructor would like to be considered for the
role of Regional Instructor please contact me
([email protected]) or any other Regional
Committee Member.
Fraser has also decided to take a step back
from RDA. He has taken up bowling and is doing
extremely well, having already just become the
current Scottish Champion. He has his sights
set on the World Championships and wishes to
concentrate on the training that he will require
to succeed. Our congratulations, many thanks
and best wishes go to him. Fraser has ensured
that we have a new Participants Representative,
Mrs. Anne Johnston. We welcome her to the
committee and I am sure that you will all be
hearing from her very soon.
Finally Mrs. Fiona Harrington, our Treasurer, is
stepping down after five years in the post. Her
job has taken her down to London and with its
increasing demands it has become more difficult
to manage our regional finances remotely. At
the Regional Committee Meeting in September
we welcomed Mrs. Margaret McCrossan who
will take over as our new treasurer. Margaret
has a great deal of experience in finance with
Pony Club and she currently works in the
Financial Department at Renfrewshire Council.
Once again our many thanks to Fiona and a very
warm welcome to Margaret.
Kate Bennet
Galston Community Council’s
150th Anniversary Celebrations.
In 1864 Robert the Bruce’s heart was carried on horseback through
the Ayrshire town of Galston, on a journey to its final resting place at
Melrose Abbey. To recognise the 150th anniversary of significant event
the Community Council organised a number of celebrations in the town,
including a ride on horseback by warriors in correct period dress, around
the surrounding countryside. The ride was held in aid of Carrick Group,
RDA, who set up a small tent at the end of the ride, and group members
mingled among the spectators to “rattle cans” in aid of the cause.
RDA Family Fun Walk & Quiz
Bathing At Bargower
Bargower Carrick Group RDA held a family fun walk with Nature Quiz at
Auchinleck House, Ayrshire.
There’s nothing a horse likes more that a good wash but this time the
equine was dark plastic only with dust rather than dirt! A great opportunity
for Park School pupils attending their morning Carrick RDA class to show
what interesting opportunities are presented when waiting for their turn
to mount and much more fun than being taught to clean tack!
We had made up a nature trail with laminated picture answers to our quiz
and also 5 pictures of horses to be counted as all walked around the trail.
At the start we had a table set up with RDA magazines and a guess the
birthday of the Meercat and donation cans.
All who came were very enthusiastic and joined in in the quiz with gusto
from Grans and their grandchildren , mums with pushchairs and friends
and their dogs.
Everyone enjoyed the morning and the quiz was taken in good part. We
were pleased with the total considering the variable weather– donations
totalling £270.83.
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BREADALBANE GROUP
Ross has been riding for two years
and passed Grade 3 Riding and
Horse Management and added
the Show Jumping this summer
after the Group were accredited
for Show Jumping.
Ross also volunteered to help
with the Dressage at the Blair
International Horse Trials.
The
RDA helpers work with the
Dressage Steward and handle all
the Dressage Scores. Ross did
two days of hard labour through
all weathers. We do hope he will
come back and help again.
Ross is now sixteen and is off to
college and we wish him luck.
RDA VOLUNTEERS
HONOURED TO CARRY
THE COMMONWEALTH
GAMES BATON
Volunteers from Bannockburn
and Arran were delighted
to be chosen to carry the
Commonwealth Baton.
Bannockburn volunteers Penny
Goddard was nominated for
her commitment to fundraising
for the charity and Ellie
Simpson, new Head Girl for
Stirling High School, was
nominated for her commitment
to volunteering with RDA and
for her commitment to out of
school sports activities. Ellie
said “Carrying the baton was
an incredible experience and I
feel so privileged to have had
the chance to take part in this
once in a lifetime opportunity”
BANNOCKBURN CARRIAGE DRIVERS
Scottish Driving Holiday
Oban and Argyll RDA was the setting for
the 2014 RDA Scottish holiday. The week
consisted of fun carriage driving; learning
about various aspects of harness and horse
care plus ceilidh which was the highlight of the
week’s entertainment.
Shona Campbell won The Mark Headon Cup
for enjoying the holiday in the spirit of Mark and
putting others first.
All appreciated the effort made on their behalf to
ensure they had a terrific holiday, including the
trustees and management of Oban and Argyll
RDA by allowing them to be at Benderloch.
A special thanks must go to Patsy Muir-
Simpson and Jane Isaac for the huge amount
of work they put in to making sure that the
holiday went ahead when it became clear that
it could not be held at Bannockburn.
Picnic at Annandale and Eskdale
Bannockburn Drivers headed south to Gretna
and had a great day’s driving with borrowed
ponies and enjoyed meeting friends from other
groups. An enjoyable day was had by all, fed
like royalty with a splendid BBQ due to the
generosity of Catriona and our many friends
within carriage driving. Special thanks must go
to Barbara Patterson who, once again, hosted
the event on her farm.
Instructor
Elizabeth
Scott
Dempster with Ross Steel from
Pitlochry receiving his Show
Jumping (Grade 1).
SCOTTISH DRESSAGE COMPETITION
21st September 2014 @ RDA Glasgow, Sandyflat
On the most beautiful sunny
day riders from the Highlands,
the Borders, Ayrshire, Glasgow
and Argyll & Bute arrived at the
beautiful Glasgow RDA Centre
to take part in the Scottish
Dressage Competition.
The
judges Mrs. Brown, and Mrs.
Grainger presided over 25
classes. There was something for
everyone. Kate Bennet, Regional
Chairman, was delighted to hand
out very well earned rosettes and
awards to all the riders that had
worked so hard. Families and
friends revelled in their success
too. Organiser, Christine Burton,
said” A great thank you to all
the competitors, Instructors and
helpers for taking part and I hope
you enjoyed your day! Thanks
also due to all the sponsors,
judges,
stewards,
writers,
scoreres, hostesses, first aiders
and general ”Dog’s Bodies”
without whom the event would
not happen and the biggest
thanks to the Board of RDA
Sandyflat together with Lynne
and her staff for hosting the
Championships”
Arran’s RDA Instructor, Rona Fulton, was chosen to carry the
Queens Baton after being nominated for her work with Arran RDA
by a work colleague.
Congratulations to our Champions:
Best Senior Rider – Jane Currie
Best Junior Rider – Gwyny Hume
Alison Colvin Intermediate Champion
ALISON’S JOURNEY TO THE
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Despite the problems facing the Bannockburn
Group which has been served with a ‘Notice
to Quit’ the driving section is still maintaining a
very positive attitude.
Through the generous support of Argyll RDA
and the stewardship of our own leader, PatsyMuir Simpson, Alison Colvin travelled south to
compete in the National RDA Championships in
July. Having qualified last year Alison entered
the Scottish Championship in May this year
(both from Equibuddy)
which was held at Hopetoun House. Despite
having had only one practice, and using a
borrowed pony (lent by the Oban Group)
Alison completed a very creditable dressage
test followed by an equally impressive round
negotiating a combined cones and obstacle
course. Indeed she won the event and, in
doing so, confirmed herself as being the most
accomplished RDA carriage driver in Scotland.
Alison then made a massive trip from Stirling to
Oban via Kippen to Hartpury, Gloucestershire
to compete in the Intermediate Carriage Driving
Championship which, much to her delight and
surprise, she won!!
Alison said “What a week, and what a swan
song! I am so grateful to everyone who made
it possible for me to attend the National
Championships. What a way to finish my 10
years of driving with the Bannockburn Group.”
Alison has written a full dairy of her trip to the
Championships. Unfortunately there isn’t room
to print Alison’s dairy here but if you would like
a copy please email [email protected]
Rona with her husband Grant, and on the right Barbara Tinto who
founded Arran RDA.
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CLYDESDALE RDA
We finished off 2013 by being able to open our
newly built outdoor school in December.
Kate Bennet came along to cut the ribbon.
Our first official fundraiser was at our local Point
to Point course at Overtoun Farm Crossford in
March where we held a successful Tombola.
In May Gary Stewart from Glasgow ran a
half Marathon in Edinburgh to raise funds,
We also had a visit from Santa Claus who
brought small gifts and all riders present were
presented with Endeavour Awards.Tuesday
Gary’s friends son rides with our group on a
Wednesday evening. (Daniel Quinn our riders’
grandfather also did a sponsored walk, thank
you Gordon Luke.)
FUNDRAISING
FUN AT BLAIR
This August I volunteered for the first time on
our RDA region’s stall at Blair International
Horse Trials, expecting an uneventful time
selling charity merchandise. Nothing could be
further from the truth!
A huge amount of organisation had been done
and the stall was really professional, in a great
location by the main arena. As well as selling
cards and gifts we had a children’s and adults’
tombola, promotional leaflets and even RDA
videos playing. There were rotas of volunteers
from all round the country and we had RDA
helpers and riders dropping in for a chat, plus
lots of spectators doing some early Christmas
shopping or looking for information on their
nearest group. Many of the Bannockburn group
also popped in as they were providing gate
stewards for several arenas.
Our time passed quickly serving customers,
restocking merchandise, rushing to move
displays inside when it got wet or windy,
hurrying out to promote RDA brollies when
it rained, fetching water for the kettle and,
of course, enjoying the delicious food and
homebaking that everyone had brought.
Highlight of the week was hearing that our stall
had been seen on the BBC news coverage of
the event. Hope you all saw us!
In the end, thanks to all the volunteers’ hard
work, it was a great success both in raising
funds and publicising the RDA. So would I do it
again next year? You bet!
ARGYLL
The Argyll Group currently coaches 15 disabled
drivers and they hope to attract more.
Jane Isaac from Argyll RDA Driving Group,
said: “Our group is very active and keen that
our drivers travel to any competitions that they
are able to take part in. Our horse trailer was
beginning to show its age so a very generous
A successful day at Hopetoun RDA Driving Competition for Lorraine and Juliet
donation was used to buy a new horse trailer. and co-ordination. Seeing the delight on our
The sessions also act as an informal support drivers’ faces when they turn up to their session
network for not only our drivers but also their is fantastic in itself. One driver who recently
carers and family members, together with attended for the first time said: ‘It gives me real
our volunteers. We provide an opportunity freedom and allows me to take part in a sport.”
for therapy, achievement and enjoyment,
providing confidence, and benefiting mobility
WINTON
Earlier on this year a member of the Winton
Group was approached by two mums who
wanted their children, who are both blind, to
learn to ride. After due consideration the Group
agreed to offer coaching for a trial period. The
trial has been a great success, so much so that
we are intending to increase our support in the
future.
Our grateful thanks go to the Santander
Foundation for the most generous grant of
£5,000.
All the money will be used to benefit our local
disabled riders and especially help with our
plans to provide additional riding tuition for
visually impaired children.
Presentation cheque made by Lesley Smith,
Santander Bank, Branch Manager.
Leslie
is a passionate about RDA and a long term
supporter of the Winton Group.
Margaret McCrossan
June is always time for Lanimers at Lanark and
Jackie Mann and Yvonne Walkinshaw rode in
the Equestrian Procession on Lanimer day on
RDA mounts.
This year the group was represented at the
The Winton Group had the most successful
Championships ever this year. We took four
children to Glasgow RDA at Sandyflats and won
three trophies and twelve rosettes.
Queens Royal Garden Party in Edinburgh by
Rider/volunteer Anna Gentle and her Mum,
Carol. Looking good in their photo I think you
will agree!
Amy and Connor enjoying their riding lesson
WOODSIDE GROUP
From Maureen Spy, Group
Organiser - Our summer term
came to a close with a little
gymkhana in glorious sunshine,
attended by parents and family.
The children had a most exciting
time and were delighted to
receive their hard earned rosettes
from Sheena Fisher, our guest
judge. Our group started again
on Tuesday after the summer
break, where 2 of our primary
children have moved up to the
Grammar school. We now have 4
Grammar children in the morning
plus our more mature lady. We
have 10 primary children in the
4
afternoon, 3 of which are new,
plus hopefully another couple
to fit in next session. We are
concentrating on posture, hand
& eye co-ordination, plus guiding,
using cones and toys in the net
and most of all making it fun for
the riders. We were extremely
lucky during the year to have
some donations which allowed
us to purchase some new games
equipment and safety stirrups, so
we have no immediate plans to do
fundraising.
We are hoping to continue until
November but it will be weather
dependent.
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