Events

 As announced in May, the RDA UK Board has commissioned a governance review and is committed to involving our members, volunteers, and participants in this process. We need your valuable input to ensure that RDA UK operates effectively in supporting all our Groups throughout the UK and that our governance continues to evolve and be updated in line with good practice so that we all meet the expectations of the Charity Commission, OSCR The Scottish Charity Regulator, and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. 

We would like to see as many of you as possible at one of seven roadshow events we are hosting in September and October.

It will be an opportunity for all of us (members, participants, volunteers) throughout the RDA to meet our new Chief Executive, Michael Bishop, and Trustees of RDA UK.  There will also be opportunities at these events for you to have your say on the future of RDA.

We are hosting five face-to-face events, and two online events, as follows:

• Wednesday 25th September – Parade Ring Marquee, Hamilton Park Racecourse, Scotland ML3 0DW – 5.30-7.30pm
• Monday 7th October – Castleview Room, The Pavillion, Stormont, Stormont Estate, Upper Newtonards Road, BT4 3TA – 5.30-7.30pm
• Wednesday 9th October – Online (links to follow) – 6.00-8.00pm
• Thursday 10th October – The Celtic Manor Resort, Chepstow Road, Newport, NP18 1HQ – 5.30-7.30pm
• Tuesday 22nd October – Valentines Room, Aintree Racecourse, Ormskirk Road, Formby, L9 5AS  – 5.30-7.30pm
• Saturday 26th October – Online (links to follow) – 6.00-8.00pm
• Monday 28th October – Porter Room, The Wesley Conference Hotel, London NW1 2EZ – 5.30-7.30pm

All roadshow events are now available to book online here – Our Governance: How We Work Together Tickets | Eventbrite. If you need technical support in using the online booking system, please contact [email protected]

We hope to see a wide representation of participants, coaches, volunteers and local Trustees, from groups all over the country, as well as national, regional and county officers. Please share this widely within your Groups.

Representatives from the Centre for Charity Effectiveness (CCE) who have been listening in recent months to our volunteers about RDA and the work our volunteers do within the federation, will be at these roadshows.   In preparation for the roadshows and to further gather your views on how we work together, we will publish a consultation document in August.  This has been prepared by CCE, reflecting what they have learned about RDA through their engagement with us and reviewing some of our documentation. We encourage all our members to respond to this document which will be circulated widely, with the roadshow events providing a chance to discuss its content.

The “Our Governance – How We Work Together” roadshows will provide an opportunity to share your thoughts and feedback.  We hope to see you there.

For queries and further information please contact [email protected]

In a few short weeks will be the kick off of the Paris 2024 Paralympic games, with the opening ceremony taking place on Wednesday the 28th of August.  

We’re super excited to watch and marvel at the para-equestrian athletes, especially those with a connection to RDA. We can’t wait to cheer on Mari Durward-Akhurst, Natasha Baker, Georgia Wilson and Sophie Wells from Team GB, and also to cheer on Austen Burns from Team Canada, who rides with Omagh RDA in Northern Ireland. 

Click here to read all about the athletes and horses of Team GB, and click here to read all about Team Canada. 

Here are the key dates for your diary, to catch all the action. 

• 28 August – Opening Ceremony 
• 3–4 September – Individual tests and medal ceremonies  
• 6 September –Team tests and medal ceremony  
• 7 September – Freestyle tests and medal ceremonies 
• 8 September – Closing Ceremony 

For more information on the Paralympics, visit the British Equestrian Paris Hub here, for detail on the tests and the competition format. 

The RDA are the official Charity Partner of London International Horse Show running from the 18th – 22nd of December 2024

With more details to come, RDA UK are excitied to offer an exclusive discount to the RDA family with 25% off tickets for performances in the main International Arena

Use code LIHSRDA22 for discounts for the following performances:

• Weds 18th Morning (FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix)
• Weds 18th Afternoon (Pony Club mini-major & 5* Jumping)
• Thurs 19th Afternoon (5* Jumping)
• Thurs 19th Evening (FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle)*
• Fri 20th Afternoon (FEI Driving World Cup, 5* Jumping)
• Fri 20th Evening (Jockeys Jumping & London Grand Prix 5* Jumping)*
• Sat 21st Evening (FEI Driving world cup, 5* Jumping)*

* Discount excludes Top Price Tickets for these performances. NB, please note this code will not apply to Phoenix Club tickets, tickets already discounted for concession or any tickets on Weds 18 Evening (Puissance), Saturday 21 Afternoon (Six Bar & 5* Jumping) or Sunday 22 (128cm & Longines FEI Jumping World Cup) in the International Arena. Code does not apply to the London Arena unless specified.

Hartpury 12th – 14th July 2024

Championships briefing, online Webinar 3rd July 7:30-8:30pm

National Championships are coming up click here for more information including the schedule, entry deadlines and details including stabling and accomodation.

Extra events at Championships- What on?

Friday 12th

• My Everest (12A) film screening and Q&A, Legends Bar 8.00 pm
  • This is the story of RDA rider Max Stainton-Parfitt and his support crew as he attempts to treck to Everest Basecamp on horseback
  • Q&A with Director Carl Woods and Disability Consultant Sam Oldknow
  • Limited free tickets, booking required

Saturday 13th from 10.00 am

• My Everest Exhibition- meet crew who trecked to Everest Basecamp and record your own epic story
• Get crafty in the childrens workshop
• RDA Arts and Crafts on display
• Polyjumps clear round course… for people!
• Vaulting on the ‘barrel horse’
• Test your horse care knowlege and skills
• Enter the Agria fun dogshow class
• Ice cremas, Coffee, food & drink
• Disabled parking & drop off points
• Accessible toilet and changing place with hoist

RDA National Championships Clothing and Merchendise

Wainrights will be providing branded clothing for the National Championships. New designs for our 55th Anniversary are now available!

Merchendise is ONLY available online and is not able to be purchased at Hartpury. Shop the range here.

Filming at the National Championships

If you are planning on bringing a film crew along please get in touch with Lisa Davies, Head of Communications on [email protected]

My friend Martina and I organised the 1st Charity Quiz Night in aid of Bank Farm RDA.

The event was attended by over 30 people and raised £370.

The event was such a success that we have 3 future events planned!

• Wednesday 19th June 2024

• Wednesday 4th September 2024 

• Wednesday 27th November 2024

If you would like to support or bring a team of 6 and attend then please contact Emma MacDonald

Email [email protected]

Phone 07506 329862 

Many thanks 

Emma