Sunday 17 May 2026
RDA South Region Qualifier for the National Championshipsat Berkshire College of Agriculture, Hall Place, Burchetts Green, Maidenhead SL6 6QR
Entries close: Wednesday 6 May
Schedule to follow!
RDA National Championships – 10th – 12th July at Hartpury University
We are holding a training session for volunteers (coaches also welcome)
at:
The Abingdon Group, Southmoor, OX13 5HW
Sunday 8 th February 2026
Karen Stubbs – Regional Coach
Frances Lochrane – Berkshire County Coach
Felicity Smetten – Buckinghamshire County Coach
Nona Dane – Regional Physiotherapist
The training session will cover:
Warming up the equine
Checking tack before mounting
Mounting and dismounting
Working with the unbalanced rider to lessen the impact on the
horse
Looking at the symmetry of the rider
Leading and sidewalking
We will meet for coffee and registration at 9.30am. The training session
will take place from 10.00am until 12.00pm.
Please bring a chair with you and wrap up warm.
Please reply to Karen Stubbs by Friday 23 rd January 2026 via email:
[email protected]
When: 21st April 2026
Where: Warbrook House Heritage Hotel, The Street, Eversley, Hampshire, RG27 0PL
Who: All RDA volunteers, employees, participant’s, parents and carers from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire
Objective: The South Region RDA Conference is a dedicated event aimed at bringing together volunteers, coaches, employees, participants, parents and carers across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire. This was last done in 2017 to great success. The conference will serve as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, learning and strategic discussions. It will:
9.30am Registration
Introduction – Diane Lee – South Region Chair
RDA the Future – RDA CEO – Michael Bishop.
Equine Welfare/Social License – Roly Owers Chief Executive World Horse Welfare
Coffee break
Autism Awareness and Neuro divergence and its impact on physical abilities – Nona Dane. Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and post graduate from Association of Chartered Physiotherapy in Therapeutic Riding
Artificial Intelligence – Friend or Foe – Christian Noll.
Lunch
Panel Interview hosted by Michael Bishop – Olympic Medallists Mari Durward-Akhurst, Erin Orford (TBC) and Debbie Daniels.
‘It’s what you can do’ – Lorna Marsh
What does RDA mean for you – Kate Nellist and Bryony Moss and many others from the RDA community
Reflection
Tea break
4pm depart.
On arrival – Tea, coffee and bacon/egg rolls
Morning break – tea, coffee, fruit smoothies and pastries
Lunch – 2 courses
Afternoon break – Tea, coffee and mini muffins
Numbers are limited but open to all volunteers, employees, participants, parents, and carers.
Ticket price is £25
Please register using the link below.
As part of this fantastic partnership with Makaton, do not forget to sign up to the online Makaton Taster Sessions exclusively for RDA groups – these three are the final training sessions for 2025. About the Taster Sessions:
Date: Tuesday 09/09/25 & Thursday 18/09/25
Content: Learn up to thirty everyday Makaton signs and symbols, plus twelve tailored to equine settings.
Sign up here: Events – Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)
These sessions are a fantastic opportunity for RDA volunteers and coaches to develop skills that will enhance confidence, communication, inclusivity, and participant experience across our groups.
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