Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

We are very sad to let you know that Peter Felgate of the Bradbourne Group has passed away. Peter was an early pioneer of riding and carriage driving for people with disabilities. He started Bradbourne RDA 60 years ago and coached for decades, inspiring many during his time, and was an Honorary Life Vice President. Peter was also involved with RDA both regionally and nationally, travelling throughout the UK and the world supporting coaches and participants and promoting RDA.

If you knew him and would like to send a note or card to his family, please get in touch with Brigitta Falcini at the RDA National Office on bfalcini@rda.org.uk for their address. If you know any others who should be made aware of his death, please contact them. The family would like everyone to know.

 

General News and Information

Annual Return 2022

Just a reminder that groups need to complete their 2022 Annual Return by Thursday 20th October. Every group is required to complete their return, even if they are currently not open, as there are still some relevant questions. We would greatly appreciate your support in helping us get all groups to complete their return by the deadline.

The Annual Return link and all information and guidance can be found on the dedicated MyRDA page here: https://www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/annual-return-2022/

Job Vacancies at RDA UK

We are currently hiring for several vacancies at RDA UK in areas such as fundraising and safeguarding, as well as regional and voluntary positions. Full details on the roles available and how to apply can be found on our website here: https://www.rda.org.uk/join-the-rda-uk-team/

New National Vaulting Lead

We are delighted to announce that Lizzie Bennett has been selected as our new National Vaulting Lead. Lizzie has been involved in RDA for many years, and she is a strong advocate for vaulting both inside and outside of RDA. She has had her own competition success at RDA National Championships as well as British Equestrian Vaulting (BEV). In addition to her own competition success, Lizzie has supported others through her coaching, enabling them to also have competition success. Lizzie is a BEV Level 2 Coach as well as an RDA Vaulting coach. I’m sure you will join us in congratulating Lizzie on her new appointment at RDA.

Princess Royal Coach Academy Successful First Year

On Tuesday 13th September we held the final training day for the Princess Royal Coach Academy 2022. Over the last 7 months RDA coaches from across the country have taken part in the pilot year of this programme and have grown and developed themselves as well as their coaching. The final day rounded up with an inspirational (and at times emotional) review from each coach, where they shared their experience of the Academy Programme. One coach commented “I have come away from every one of these days feeling inspired and motivated to put my learning in to practise and cannot wait to continue to share my new knowledge and skills with those that I coach and mentor in the future, thank you!”

The application window for next year’s Coach Academy will be open very soon so make sure you keep an eye out and don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to grow and develop yourself as well as your coaching under the guidance of professionals and mentors specifically selected for this programme.

Enter our Raffle to win a Cheval Liberté trailer!

RDA UK are currently selling raffle tickets for someone to win a beautiful Cheval Liberté Country Touring Trailer. Tickets are £5 each and the draw will take place on the 1st November 2022. If you are able to help RDA sell more tickets, you can request a raffle book from us by contacting Georgia Tolley on gtolley@rda.org.uk or 01926 962982.

Find out more about the trailer and how to purchase your ticket here: https://www.rda.org.uk/win-a-cheval-liberte-trailer/

RDA Christmas Cards

A reminder that the RDA Christmas cards are available to purchase now. This year for the first time we are outsourcing Christmas card sales to specialist charity cards company ‘Care Cards’. They offer a wide selection of designs and RDA will receive 25% of all sales of cards and other items. RDA groups can purchase cards with a 10% discount using the code RDA Christmas at the online check out. The code will work twice per person. Please spread the word with your groups.   

To purchase cards, please visit: https://www.care-cards.co.uk/rda/

 

Training Opportunities

Dressage Training Day at Penniwells RDA – Wednesday 26 October, 10am – 2:30pm

Penniwells RDA are hosting a Dressage Training Day on the 26 October. The training will be focusing on:

·        Test reading and keeping your riders on track

·        Calling and rules for VI riders

·        How to survive the warm up

·        General rules and presentation

·        Pointers from the judges

·        General Q & A Discussion time

Please bring a packed lunch. Additional costs include £10 for tea/coffee. If you’d like to attend or want more information, please contact Sarah Healing on s.healing@hotmail.com.

Para Entry Programme Training Day – Sunday 27 November.

Abingdon RDA are hosting a BEF Para Entry Programme Day and there are still places available. If you know of any riders that may want to attend, please ask them to contact Georgie at the BEF on georgie.wheeler@bef.co.uk.

For more information on the Entry Programme and how to get involved, please see here: https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk/competitors/para-equestrian/para-equestrian-entry-programme

 

Funding Opportunities

Together Fund

Through the Together Fund, Sport England is providing RDA with funding to run two grant funds for groups and large centres in England.  The focus is on getting participants back and getting participant numbers back to pre-pandemic levels, or higher. There are two grant pots available:

1.      Group recovery and increasing participant numbers back to pre-pandemic level (Hardship fund)

2.      Developing new activities and opportunities for growth (New Ways to Engage Fund)

This is an open-ended grant pot - there is no application deadline, but all projects need to be completed by 31 March 2023. Applications will be processed and signed off by RDA and Sport England as they come in until the funds are fully used. Information on this fund will be sent out to groups in tomorrow’s newsletter to Group Chairs and Group Contacts, however additional support in sharing this Fund is welcomed.

A guidance document for the Fund, how to apply and the link to the online application form can be found on the MyRDA page here: https://www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/together-fund-2022-2/. If you have further questions after reading though the guidance, please contact Lucy Wake on GroupGrants@rda.org.uk or 01926 476307.

Dance Fund

We still have our Dance Fund available which allows groups and regions to apply for up to £200 to help towards the organisation of Dressage training days. If you are thinking of organising something with the help of the Fund for your region or group, please contact Emma Bayliss on ebayliss@rda.org.uk or 01926 405972, who will help you with the Dance Fund application process.

 

Best wishes,

Brigitta Falcini

Communications Coordinator

Riding for the Disabled Association