Hants and Surrey Borders RDA Incorporating Carriage Driving

It's what you CAN do that counts

 

Recent news

 

Farewell to one of our Coaches

Nicky

We recently said farewell to Nicky, one of our Tuesday group Coaches and a Hants and Surrey Borders RDA Trustee, who has moved to pastures new in Gloucestershire.

 

Nicky has been a volunteer with RDA since 2003. At a recent gathering of Tuesday group (to which Nicky was invited on the pretext of being required to train some new volunteers!), Wendy gave a lovely speech, paying tribute to Nicky and her many attributes as a person, RDA volunteer and Coach. Nicky was presented with a voucher for Badminton Horse Trials, some beautiful plants and a card signed by everyone.

 

She will be much missed by HSB RDA, particularly by Tuesday group volunteers and coaches, but has promised to stay in touch.

 

Thank you Nicky for all you have done for Hants and Surrey Borders RDA and very best wishes for the future from us all.

 

 

 

 

South Region Show

On Sunday 19th May two boys who are regular Tuesday riders took part in both the Countryside Challenge and dressage tests at the Southern Region Qualifier held at Wellington Riding in Heckfield. We borrowed two ponies from Wellington and Dummer RDA. Toffee and Rocky were lovely, kind, steady ponies, and knew their job was to look after their riders. The ponies looked a picture after some expert shampooing and grooming by experienced helper Jo. Our riders looked smart too in matching gilets embroidered with our HSBRDA logo thanks to Mandi’s excellent sewing skills.

The Team
The whole team after a successful day at Wellington Riding

 

The first task for the boys was to complete the Countryside Challenge when they had to carry out a variety of tasks and negotiate obstacles that you might encounter on a country ride out.

 

Our riders managed steady and competent rounds, steering their ponies confidently, and both were awarded highly commended rosettes for their achievements. Most importantly, they remembered to thank the organiser as they finished.

 

After leaving the ponies to rest with hay and water, and lunch for the riders and helpers, it was soon time for our riders to warm up for their dressage tests. These were held in the attractive new outdoor arena, with a judge and writer watching keenly. Both boys acquitted themselves well and rode their tests with minimal help from their leaders. At the prizegiving Sebbie was awarded 3rd place and Louie 5th place in their class (which included walk and trot) - an excellent achievement.

 

It was a very good day enjoyed by the supporting families as well as the riders and helpers. There was a big turnout and it was fun to be part of the bigger ‘family’ that is RDA. Thank you to the leaders and helpers for being such a great team. I am sure we will be back next year.

 

This year’s winner of the Rachel Plumbe Cup for Outstanding Achievement, given in memory of Rachel and awarded to the rider with the highest percentage score of the day over all competitions, was a young lady from South Bucks RDA. She was presented with the cup at the end of the day prizegiving by Rachel’s husband Graham.

 

Smokey

It is with much sadness that we report the loss earlier this year of Smokey after a short but serious illness. He was settling in well to his new home with a young family, alongside his friend and stablemate Pablo.

 

Smokey was an RDA pony for 15 years. He was well looked after by Pat and came out of retirement when we needed another reliable pony for our riding sessions at Four Seasons Hotel. He never forgot his job, and though he could be cheeky sometimes, he always looked after his rider and was a favourite with many. Smokey’s years of service to RDA was marked with a posthumous long service award at our recent AGM.

 

 

Fleet Carnival 2017

What a brilliant weekend Hants and Surrey Borders RDA had at Fleet Carnival.

 

All our planning came together and even the weather was just what we’d hoped for.

 

Our tombola and raffle stall did very well, supported by carnival goers having a great time in the sunshine.

 

We were delighted with our finished float. We are very grateful to Henry Tyndale and Badshot Lea Schools whose staff really entered into the spirit of the event and, with the children, made us lots of fantastic artwork using the carnival theme of ‘Under the Sea’.

 

Octopuses a-plenty, colourful fish, starfish, whales and a shark; we used them all to complement the centrepiece of our display, a large sea horse complete with rag doll rider wearing snorkel and flippers!