Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

Happy New Year to you all! I wish you all the best for 2023.

Kicking off the New Year, we are delighted to announce that two RDA members have been honoured in the 2023 New Year Honours List. Congratulations to Evelyn Pattinson, founder of Eden RDA, on being awarded the MBE for charitable services, and congratulations to Susan Anderson, Founder Member of Barton RDA, on being awarded the BEM for services to people with disabilities and to the community in Linton, Cambridgeshire.

Read the full story here.

 

General News and Information

Regional Chairs Committee

Frances Lochrane (Chair of Regional Chairs), and Jude Palmer (Director of Operations), are looking forward to hosting 2023's first Regional Chair Committee meeting next week. These quarterly meetings are important points in the RDA UK year, where Regional Chairs and National Office come together to share views and ideas that help shape future plans.

 

RDA announced as the Charity of the Year for the National Equine Show – Get your tickets now!

RDA are the Charity of the Year for the National Equine Show and will be exhibiting at the show on the 4th to 5th March at the NEC, Birmingham. This a brand-new show in the equestrian calendar and has many different exciting features including guest speakers like Piggy March, Charlotte Dujardin and Sir Lee Pearson CBE; shopping and interactive activities including our very own mechanical horse, Charley!

You can purchase tickets via this link: Tickets - National Equine Show.

 

Extended deadline for nominations in the RDA Awards 2023

Do you know a fantastic National, Regional or County volunteer that you think should be recognised for their work? Or maybe you know of a participant who has had huge successes in 2022? Nominate them for an RDA Award!

The RDA Awards recognise our amazing participants, volunteers, and horses. If you would like to nominate someone for an award, please follow this link.

Closing date is Monday 23rd January 2023. If you have any queries, please contact Faye McKenning on 01926 405966 or fmckenning@rda.org.uk.

 

RDA UK team updates

Farewell to Georgia Tolley

We are sad to say farewell to Georgia Tolley this week. Many of you will know Georgia from the Fundraising and National Training Centre teams. She has certainly made a big impression in a short amount of time, not least her herculean effort and great success at Badminton 2022.

Please join me in wishing Georgia all the best in life’s next adventure.

 

Best wishes,

 

Brigitta Falcini

Communications Coordinator

Riding for the Disabled Association

01926 405964