Uncategorized

The opportunity to serve on RDA Advisory boards are now open!

Serving on an advisory board is a unique opportunity to contribute your expertise, provide strategic input, and help shape the future of our work. We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds who are passionate about making a meaningful impact.

The Advisory Boards will focus on:

• Member Group Quality and Standards – Supporting RDA UK to maintain strong controls on quality and standards across all Member Groups.
• Activity – Advising on the full range of riding, carriage driving, equine-assisted services, and competitions.
• Equine Welfare – Ensuring our horses receive the highest standards of care, treated with compassion and respect.

To find out more about the roles within Advisory Boards and to submit your application head to the RDA website or click here!

NOTE – Applications close on the 31st of July 2025

National Champs are fast approaching and important information can be found below!

The dates for the 2025 RDA National Championships are Friday the 11th July – Sunday 13th July at Hartpury College in Gloucester

The Schedule for the weekend – https://myrda.org.uk/assets/RDA-ChampsSchedule_2025-Final-DIGITAL.pdf

Times – https://horsemonkey.com/times/69287

Electric Scooter booking – https://www.eventmobility.org.uk/rda-national-championships

RDA Group and Competition Rulebook – https://myrda.org.uk/assets/RDA-Group-and-Competition-Rulebook-2025.pdf

Tack check document (new for 2025) – https://myrda.org.uk/assets/Tack-Check-doc.-2025-4.pdf

Below you will find the riders times and important infomation!

We are looking forward to welcoming you all to our South Region Qualifier on Sunday 18 May at Berkshire College of Agriculture.  Access to BCA is via A404.  Please do not use Burchetts Green Road as this is not suitable for horseboxes or trailers.

Competitor Times
Please see attached for competitor numbers, times and arenas.

Arrival Time
No access or entry to the show site or horsebox/lorry park prior to 8.30 (except for organisers, stewards and volunteers)

Dressage Arena Walks
The dressage arena walks are from 9.15 to 9.45 in both the indoor and outdoor arenas.

Countryside Challenge
Competitor Countryside Challenge Course Walk is from 9.00 to 9.20 and again at 11.00 to 11.15

Horse/pony unmounted Countryside Challenge Arena Walk is from 9.20 to 9.40

The Countryside Challenge competition takes place from 9.45 to 12.45.  There are no individual times, so please present to the steward when ready.

Prize Giving 1.40pm
We are very lucky to have Mari Durward-Akhurst, bronze medalist at the 2024 Paralympics, to present the rosettes.
Prize Giving will take place for all classes, dressage, countryside challenge, show jumping, arts and crafts and presentation of the Rachel Plumbe Trophy in the Indoor Arena at 13.40

Passport Check
Passports will be checked by our regional vet prior to entry to the horsebox/trailer parking area. Please have them ready upon your arrival.

Hats
All hats to be checked and tagged, if not already tagged, at the hat checking point near the show office (see map)
Please be advised that it is compulsory for all leaders to wear a hat and gloves.

Numbers
Numbers to be collected by a representative from each group from the number collection point near the show office (see map)

Substitute Equines
If you have to substitute any equine, please advise the show secretary asap. 
If a substitute is made on the day, please report to the secretary’s office (see map) to advise.
All vaccinations must be correct and up to date.

Vet
Our Regional Vet Ryan McCarthy will be in attendance.

Caterers
Roasted’n’toasted will be in the horsebox/lorry park

Ice Cream
Mr Sher’s Ice Cream van will be near the indoor arena from 11.30 to 1.30

Photographers
We have two lovely photographers joining us agin this year

• Karen from Wright Stride Equestrian will be photographing in the outdoor arenas https://shop.wrightstride.com/
• Emily from Corten In the Moment Photography will be photographing in the indoor arena and prize giving https://corteninthemomentphotography.co.uk/

Site Map
See attached links below

Any queries, contact Cassilda on 07740 706050 or by email [email protected]

We are looking forward to seeing you and wishing all your competitors and their families the very best day!

We have a unique opportunity to raise awareness amongst our South Region RDA community about Neurodiversity.  Hayley Brackley, of ‘Great Minds Don’t’ has agreed to deliver a 2-hour Zoom session to ALL volunteers within the South Region.

Here is a link to her website if you would like to read about her. Great Minds Don’t | Neurodiversity Coaching

It will be a relaxed and practical online session for anyone involved in RDA, whether you’re a coach, Coach in Training, or volunteer.

We’ll be talking about neurodiversity, common neurodivergent conditions, and how small changes can make a big difference when supporting neurodivergent participants. 

The session will be interactive, with plenty of time for discussion and sharing ideas.

•  Date: Thursday 24th April

•  Time: 6:00–8:00 PM (UK Time)

•  Location: Online via Zoom

Sign up here: https://calendly.com/hayleygmd/rda

Sunday 23rd March 2025 – Coaching the mixed ability ride & horse assessment

• For coaches and coaches in training
• location – South Bucks RDA
• Start time 12:30 pm

Berkshire Training day

• June – Details to come

Oxfordshire Training day

• Autumn – Details to come