Below you can find news about the region as well as any important dates.
CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION 2019
RDA Creative Writing Competition is back for 2019!
As in previous years, RDA will still be offering classes for poetry, short stories and letter-writing, but as 2019 marks RDA’s 50th Anniversary, we thought we’d add the theme of celebration to each of the classes.
An entry form, which has full details of how to enter, closing dates and the types of entries that can be submitted is attached here: Creative Writing Competition Entry Form 2019
The competition is open to RDA participants only (although volunteers can enter if they are also an active RDA rider, carriage driver or vaulter) and as in previous years it will be completely FREE to enter. There are generous prizes on offer for the overall winners of each class – and ALL entrants will receive a smart, specially-designed rosette and letter of congratulations.
ARTS & CRAFTS COMPETITION 2019
Please find attached the entry form for the regional rounds of this year’s Arts and Crafts Competition. RDA are excited to announce two brand new classes for 2019, including a photography class and a special class to celebrate RDA’s 50th Anniversary! Arts & Crafts REGIONAL ROUND Entry Form 2019
I’d really appreciate it if you could circulate the forms amongst anyone in your group, county or region whom you feel might like to take part. The regional entry form can also be downloaded from the Education page on the RDA website: https://www.rda.org.uk/assets/Arts-Crafts-REGIONAL-ROUND-Entry-Form-2019-1.pdf
There’s plenty of time to start to create artwork and to have fun, and it’s an ideal opportunity to engage with families, friends, schools, colleges and care centres, as entrants are welcome to produce their artwork when and where they like – and share their enjoyment of RDA with those around them.
More often than not, schools and colleges will completely run with the competition, too – and the feedback that I receive from them is that they really do value the chance to extend the RDA experience to the classroom, and support their curriculum activities at the same time.
The Arts & Crafts Competition also means that all participants have the chance to take part in national RDA competition in some way, and to be recognised, without having to travel to qualifiers or the championships, which can of course be prohibitive for some.
Regional judging
As always, entries will be judged locally first – this will usually be at your region’s qualifiers in the spring. All regional winners (one per class) are then put forward to the finals at Hartpury in July.
Congratulations to Felicity Smettem who has ben Awarded with Volunteer of the Year 2018 for the South Region. Very well deserved Felicity. Thank you very much for everything you do for the Region.
RDA COMPETITION RULES
For a copy of the Rule Book, follow this link – http://www.rda.org.uk/assets/RDA-Rules-2016-Final-18-Dec-2015.pdf
DRESSAGE
Please follow this link to find copies of all the current RDA Dressage Testshttp://www.rda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/dressage/dressage-tests/
For details of the 2016 dressage rules please refer to the RDA Competition Rule Book section 5.
CARRIAGE DRIVING
For details of the carriage driving rules please refer to the RDA Competition Rule Book Section 3.
COUNTRYSIDE CHALLENGE
For details of the countryside challenge course and rules please refer to the RDA Competition Rule Book Section 4.
VOLUNTEER WORKSHOPS
Please follow this link for information on workshops http://www.rda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/volunteer-training/volunteer-workshops/
RDA UK have developed an e-learning website which provides a new way for RDA volunteers to gain access to training and development opportunities by taking part in short, interactive, online courses.
The first courses to be released in this format are governance and safeguarding. Both of these courses should be helpful and relevant to trustees, particularly if you missed the Governance Training sessions. If you are a new trustee this is a great way to learn a bit more about the role or to refresh your memory if you have been doing the role for a while.
To get started just visit www.rda-learning.org.ukand click “Sign Up”