Articles by Katy

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Mia’s RDA Story – AIM RDA

December 13, 2024 Katy 0

My RDA story 

Mia has brown hair tied back and is wearing glasses. they are wearing a navy show jacket with white shirt and beige jods. they are holding a blue leadrope of a grey horse and have ther=ir arm around it. the horse and mia and wearing black, pink and green ribbons as they have won
Mia is wearing beige jods, black show jacket, white show shirt, black riding boots and black helmet. They are riding a grey horse who is looking into the distance. Mia is halted and posing for a photo with Alice who is stood to their left wearing purple leggings, black trainers, a pink long sleeve top and navy gillet. Alice has chest length wavy brown/blond hair

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.

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KING’S AWARD WINNERS!

December 2, 2024 Katy 0

Equivalent to an MBE, this Award is given by the King on his birthday to local voluntary groups that are ‘truly outstanding and making a big difference to their local community’.  

A Quote below from Newbury RDA 

We were nominated for the KAVS by Jill Owen of the Good Exchange at the Greenham Trust who has been a huge supporter to Newbury RDA over the years, especially in helping us raise funds for our outdoor school, with our 5k for £5k challenge – our 5k sponsored walk to raise £5,000 in one day, which the Greenham Trust match funded with an amazing £25,000 as part of their 25th Anniversary celebrations.  

We were shortlisted regionally this Summer and realised at that point that the competition from other voluntary organisations was incredibly tough. His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Andrew Try will be presenting our Award to us in February.

This Award is in recognition by the King for the work that all our volunteers do looking after our ponies and the children who ride with us every week. Whether it be coaching, leading or side walking, helping to look after the yard and our grounds, or with our admin, accounts and fundraising, this Award is for all our volunteers. And it goes without saying that we also owe a huge debt of gratitude to our stable manager, Danielle Branton, who works tirelessly all year around looking after our yard and nine ponies.

 A huge well done and thank you to everyone.

As a Region, we are incredibly proud of Newbury RDA for this incredible achievement! 

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National Championships 2025

November 29, 2024 Katy 0

The dates are here!

Mark your calendars for: 
Friday, July 11th, Saturday, July 12th, and Sunday, July 13th, 2025. 

More information will be found here closer to the time!