NI RDA hosts first Show Jumping event

On 9 April, the Northern Ireland Region of the Riding for the Disabled Association held its first Regional Show Jumping qualifier.

Over 20 riders took part in what promises to be a growing sport in the RDA. The competition at all three levels was fantastic and all of the riders can be very pleased with their performances in this new RDA activity.

Judges Vina Buller and Hilary Jones were very impressed by the high standards of jumping and also the efforts that the riders had gone to with their turnout.

Several of the riders have now qualified for the RDA national Show Jumping finals in Hartpury in July.

Many thanks to Christopher Bogel and Claire Walker who organised proceedings.

physiotherapist training

In March, the RDA NI Region was delighted to welcome Lynne Munro, one of RDA’s most respected physiotherapists to the Province.

Lynne gave advice on pre riding assessments, necessary to ascertain the individual needs of each rider who wants to join an RDA group.

She also discussed contra indications, situations when riding would not be suitable.

RDA NI would be very interested to hear from any physiotherapists who may be interested in assisting RDA or if anyone would be interested in the Hippotherapy training provided by ACPTR.

instructor/judge training

John Robinson, a distinguished dressage judge, travelled from England last weekend to train RDA Volunteers and Judges.

RDA Instructors learnt more about competitive dressage riding and the requirements that the judges look for.

Most had the Regional dressage qualifiers on April 30 at the forefront of their minds, at which NI riders will be competing to ride at Hartpury this summer.

The Judges watched a variety of RDA riders with widely differing disabilities and compared and discussed their scores.

Riding for the Disabled (RDA) seeks to help those who will benefit most from the therapy achieved through horse riding while encouraging riders to reach their full potential and compete at the top level.

They are keen to recruit new volunteers who would be able to give up some time to help, or horse owners who would be willing to loan their horse/pony for these riding lessons.

They would also like to hear from anyone who may be interested in becoming a dressage judge.

Please contact Regional Chairman Julie Jordan at [email protected]