My RDA story
My name is Mia and I’m 22 years old. I have been involved in RDA for almost 19 years. I first heard about RDA through my old physio, and she said it would really help my hyper mobility, so we got in contact with the RDA. After a bit of a wait, I had my first ever lesson on a sweet grey pony called star I had a leader and 2 side walkers, they kept having to remind me to breathe. Ever since that first lesson I got the bug majorly.
In 2021 I was lucky enough to be involved with the online virtus world championship competition it was so fun to do, and I ended up coming 1st in one class and 2nd in the other. I felt so proud of me and the horse I was riding.
In 2021 I got diagnosed with autism and that’s helped me understand myself more and helped me do more things out of my comfort zone like staying over at nationals without my mum and being able to get a job in a cafe.
My favourite things about are … the lifelong friends I have made in RDA which I will treasure forever as making friends when u have autism is difficult to say the least. Another favourite thing is learning new things like jumping, which my group has just been signed off for, and nailing the canter off all the different horses I ride.
This year I moved to AIM RDA (ability, Independence, Motivation) which is the newest group since 2021. AIM is based in to locations one at Shrivenham defence academy and the other Lambourn RDA I feel so lucky that both locations have let us in and borrow there horse. I ride at the Shrivenham base, the horses are amazing and I feel so comfortable and confident on all of the horses. I volunteer at the Lambourn base on a Saturday I love it as I feel free and independent.
My goals for next year and the future are
– to learn to jump as it looks so fun.
– Get stronger in the canter and to improve my seat.
Fun facts about me. I was on the kings speech last year doing some cooking. I was one of the first riders at AIM. I have made over £800 in fundraising selling bracelets for RDA. I am very good at making brownies.