Behalf of Riding for the Disabled Association UK. Here is the official stories of our Region Riders, Drivers from North Midlands RDA. Created by Matthew Dalley, RDA UK Participation Committee Member & North Midlands RDA Participant Representative.

1. Our RDA Region
We are a part of the RDA North Midlands region
This is one of 18 RDA regions in the UK
RDA North Midlands covers Derbyshire,
Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and
Northamptonshire

2. Mark
Scropton RDA
My name is Mark and I started riding when I was very
little. I attended a special school where riding was on
the curriculum. I have been riding ever since.
I now come with the Whitemore Group to Scropton RDA
and really enjoy it. I have all my own equipment:
jodhpurs, hat, boots, sweatshirt and gloves.
I ride in competitions for the Scropton Group in the
Countryside Challenge. I have qualified 9 times for the
National Championships. The highest position I have
achieved is 4th place. I used to ride Bess who I really
liked. We got on well together and she helped me
qualify many times. I now ride Pie or Disney and always
ask when the next competition is coming up.
When people come and see me ride they often
comment that I can ride really well and they can’t ride at
all. I like this as it makes me feel very proud that I can
do something difficult that other people can’t do.

3. Wenlo RDA
We#are#based#at#Meadow#School#of#Riding#on#the#outskirts#of#
Loughborough,#near#a#village#called#Woodhouse#Eaves#on#the#edge#
of#the#beautiful#Beacon#Hill#Country#Park,#Leicestershire.###
Wenlo#is#an#RDA#Centre#offering;#horse#riding#sessions,#horse#care#&#
stable#management#experience#&#qualiJications#and#regional/
national/inLhouse#competition#opportunities#including#endurance#
riding#as#an#RDA#recognised#Endurance#Centre.###
Wenlo#run#6#days#a#week,#52#weeks#of#the#year,#(the#ponies#have#a#
well#earned#rest#day#on#Mondays.)##We#have#over#100#riders,#of#all#
ages,#over#approximately#80#hours#per#month#of#riding#sessions#and#
a#bank#of#approximately#75#volunteers#aged#12+#to#put#the#smiles#
on#the#faces#of#our#riders.
WENLO
Riding for the Disabled Group

4. Ben
Dovecote RDA
This is Ben riding Sapphire. Ben loves
to trot and thinks his lessons are
‘wonderful’

5. Emily
Kesteven RDA
!
My name is Emily, I was born with a condition called Achondroplasia which is a
type of dwarfism. I started riding when I was 11 years old at Kesteven RDA.
Riding has helped me with my fitness and my core stability and it enables me to
compete in a sport which I enjoy. I ride weekly at Kesteven RDA on Del who is an
absolute star. I compete at grade 3 dressage regional competitions and I have
qualified in previous years to compete at the RDA nationals at Hartpury in
Gloucestershire, which I really enjoy taking part in and watching others compete.

6. Our RDA Region
Within the region we have 29 groups who give over 9,000 rides to more than
800 riders/drivers each year. They come to us each week to enjoy the
experience of riding or carriage driving - with opportunities to join us in
learning a new skill as well as entering competitions or even taking a holiday.
All this combines to bring a new dimension to necessarily restricted lives,
encourages independence and does much to improve a wide range of
medical conditions.
All this is made possible thanks to the commitment of more than 500
volunteers who regularly and cheerfully give up their free time - and energy -
to ensure that RDA continues to give not only pleasure but a sense of
achievement to disabled individuals of all ages.

7. Catherine
Scropton RDA
My story began when I was 2 years old. I was diagnosed with idiopathic
polarticular arthritis. This is the childhood form of rheumatoid arthritis,
affecting my mobility and range of movement in all the joints in my body.
When I was 10 years old I started able bodied riding lessons and did this
for many years, competing in multiple disciplines such as eventing,
showjumping, mounted games and my favourite food be of them all,
dressage! Then I found out about paradressage through meeting Matt
Dalley at Vale View in 2012. I figured it was worth getting graded to see if
I was eligible to compete.
This was when I started riding lessons at Scropton RDA with Katy
Gillibrand on a very special horse called Billy! In January I was classified
as a grade III.
I then competed in my first ever RDA Regional, winning the junior section and qualifying for my first ever National
Championships, in which I came 4th! Then in 2014 I went to the regionals again and came 1st in the junior section (again) and
qualified for the RDA Championships. This year I competed in the Grade III Championship test, in which I came 2nd, and the
Grade III Freestyle to music which I won! Going into the International Arena on Billy and hearing our test music was the most
sensational feeling I've ever experienced!
Billy is truly amazing and is my horse of a lifetime!
I have then competed my horse William under the Team Scropton colours and name which I have thoroughly enjoyed and can't
wait to do more this year!
The RDA has changed my life for the better, setting me on a new path to higher level dressage and allowing me to feel confident. I
now feel proud of who I am and what I have become!

8. Woodside RDA
Woodside Farm Stables RDA
is based in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire.
The group started in 1971 at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Jack and
Anita Parker, who had long been involved in promoting riding
for disabled children. The stables has an indoor school, a
paddock for outdoor lessons in good weather, and access to
Forestry Commission woodland. The stables also has a
unique hydraulic mounting lift, essential for mounting the more
physically disabled riders without limiting their independence,
but used by ambulant disabled as well.
We focus on the therapeutic benefits of horse riding. We have
5 volunteer RDA-qualified Group Instructors assisted by a
team of more than 70 volunteers which includes the parents/
carers of the riders. Woodside owns 5 horses/ponies and
has 3 more on permanent loan.

9. Austin
Dovecote RDA
This is Austin riding Fliss
Austin says “My pony is very good
and listens to everything”

10. Sue
Scropton RDA
Since moving back to the Midlands I’ve been very fortunate to have brilliant treatment from the Rheumatology
Department at Derby Hospital and regained some of my mobility. And then, my husband, Richard, bought
tickets for the equestrian Olympics – a move I’m sure he now regrets! We were really lucky to have tickets for
the X-C day, which was phenomenal but it was the dressage and especially the Para-Dressage which sparked
my interest.
It stayed that way for a year or so until Richard came into an inheritance and very (foolishly) asked me what I
would do with £xxx amount of money; to which I replied ‘Buy a horse, of course!’ Being very aware of my own
limitations as a rider, I’ve always wanted to be an ‘owner’. So enter a lovely warm-blood mare, who lives and
works with a professional rider. However, I did have ambitions to at least ride her around the school and
decided I needed lessons so that I didn’t look too much like a sack of potatoes.
Scropton RDA was the obvious choice, as I felt my limitations (and increasing age) would be taken into
account. So it was that I met Kay and Pie; who between them have given me confidence and turned me from
a ‘hang on in there’ hunting rider to someone with a modicum of technique! Scoring a respectable 60% in a
recent dressage competition was the icing on the cake and I now have the para-dressage bug!
I also volunteer when I can. Having helped at other RDA & Driving groups, I’ve seen the pleasure that riding a
horse or pony can bring to a person, and especially a child, with limitations. I appreciate it even more now,
having ‘changed sides’ as it were.
Oh, and the warm blood mare? Absolutely superb but now far too fit and feisty for me. Sorry Pie; you’re stuck
with me for a while yet!
Where to start? The Olympics are a good a place as any…
After years of owning, hunting, competing (very low level), breeding and some driving with
horses and ponies, I gave in to my arthritis (Ankylosing Spongylitis) and decided enough was
enough. I hung up my boots, sold my ‘last’ horse and all my tack.

11. Sue
Scropton RDA

12. Getting more involved
There’s opportunities to get more involved in
RDA as a volunteer.
Many of our riders and drivers help their groups
in a variety of ways : helping with horse & ponies,
volunteering in lessons, fund raising, admin…..
there’s always something you can do.
Why not ask your group how you can get more
involved?

13. Kami
Scropton RDA
I come riding at Scropton RDA every Tuesday with
the Whitemoor Group. I’ve been riding for 17 years. I
smile, squeal and giggle throughout my session: my
smile is the stuff of legends!
I have an amazing sitting trot which only once let me
down, resulting in a broken wrist. But like every great
rider I was back in the saddle as soon as allowed.
I support my friend Mark when he goes to riding
competitions and have been all over the midlands to
lots of different riding schools to cheer on Scropton
RDA riders.
I will continue to ride and support Scropton, hopefully
at the National Championships at Hartpury, even if
the rain is torrential and the thunder ear splittingly
loud as it has been in the past!
I love riding. Thank you Scropton RDA

14. Dovecote Farm RDA
We are based at Dovecote Farm Equestrian Centre, Orston
( near Bingham), Nottinghamshire.
Dovecote Farm Group offers riding on Wednesday mornings to 2
schools from Grantham and can also accommodate private riders. The
group has access to 2 outdoor arenas, an indoor school, fields and an
assortment of fluffy ponies!

15. Emma
Cleethorpes and Grimsby RDA
A"friend"from"Pony"Club"persuaded"me"to"try"the"RDA"and"I"have"been"a"rider"with"C"&"G"RDA"since"2008."""I"have"been"lucky"enough"to"go"down"the"lines"of"
Regional"Qualifiers"and"compeFng"at"Hartpury"every"year."My"highlight"was"winning"the"Grade"1A"in"2013"and"having"my"name"on"the"same"piece"of"
silverware"as"Sophie"ChrisFansen.""That"year"Samwise"and"I"were"also"the"BriFsh"Dressage"NaFonal"Winter"Restricted"Champions."
At"our"AGM"in"2012"it"was"proposed"that,"as"I"was"going"to"Groups"speaking"on"behalf"of"the"RDA"and"applying"for"Grants"to"raise"funds"for"a"mechanical"
horse,"I"should"become"a"Trustee."A"ViceRChair"was"needed"and"I"don’t"think"I’ve"ever"seen"a"posiFon"be"proposed,"seconded"and"filled"so"quickly"unFl"I"was"
then"made"Chair"last"June.""So"that"was"it"I"had"moved"from"the"realms"of"being"a"rider"to"becoming"an"RDA"Officer."This"was"the"start"of"life"as"a"rider"and"
RDA"Officer."
All"of"a"sudden"my"RDA"was"very"different,"I"became"involved"in"the"general"running"of"the"Group.""Because"I"have"had"years"of"experience"with"Pony"Club"
running"their"Camp"I"was"used"to"dealing"with"not"only"Parents"and"Carers"but"also"the"younger"riders"too."
I"worked"for"the"NFU"Mutual"so"had"insurance"experience"and"so"brought"from"that"insight"into"what"a"Group"always"needs"to"be"mindful"of"regarding"Health"
&"Safety."As"a"School"Governor"I"had"done"a"lot"of"training"around"Safeguarding"so"that"also"helped"me."My"role"as"Vice"Chair"was"obviously"to"support"the"
Chair.""I"was"responsible"alongside"another"Trustee"for"the"Grant"applicaFon"that"we"subsequently"won"so"then"it"was"the"acquisiFon"of"our"Mechanical"
Horse"Simulator."We"purchased"a"lorry"shipping"container"to"keep"it"in"and"approached"a"local"firm"Howarth"Timber"supplied"the"wood"and"organised"other"
local"firms"for"the"sealants,"wood"stain,"everything"that"was"needed"to"get"the"Fmber"off"the"pallet"and"onto"the"container."
I"was"made"Chair"in"June"2014,"I"am"very"lucky"because"we"have"great"Trustees,"Volunteers,"Instructors,"Riders,"Parents"and"Carers"and"so"have"huge"support.""
Last"September"I"went"to"the"Burghley"Horse"Trials"and"helped"on"the"RDA"stand"for"a"morning,"what"fun"we"had,"it"was"great"to"meet"all"of"the"wonderful"
staff"from"the"office"who"I"generally"don’t"see"but"now"can"put"names"to"faces,"and"the"fact"that"the"RDA"stand"was"never"empty"all"morning"was"great.""I"love"
talking"to"anybody"that"about"what"we"do."
"I"am"also"lucky"in"that"I"compete"with"BriFsh"Dressage"Para’s"using"one"of"our"RDA"horses,"my"RDA"Instructors"come"with"me"and"wherever"we"are"we"fly"the"
RDA"flag.""My"highlights"have"been""winning"the"Grade"1A"at"RDA"NaFonal"Championships"at"Hartpury"in"2013"and"having"my"name"on"the"same"piece"of"
silverware"as"Sophie"ChrisFansen.""That"year"Samwise"and"I"were"also"the"BriFsh"Dressage"Para"NaFonal"Winter"Restricted"Champions.""Nobody"won"it"in"
2014"so"Sam"and"I"retained"our"Ftle"in"2015."
All"those"years"ago"when"I"was"diagnosed"with"a"muscle"wasFng"condiFon"it"was"hard"but"without"it"I"would"never"have"become"involved"with"the"RDA"and"I"
have"made"some"of"the"best"friends"that"I’ve"got.""And"one"thing"that"you"can"be"sure"of"is"that"when"we"do"something"with"RDA"there"will"be"fun"and"
laughter"involved.""I"can’t"thank"enough"Nick,"my"husband"–"lorry"driver,"groom"etc…."and"all"of"my"Instructors"and"RDA"friends"who"come"out"with"me"to"
help"at"compeFFons"–"without"them"I"couldn’t"do"what"I"do."
I"was"born"able"bodied"and"started"to"ride"when"I"was"about"8,"we"had"a"variety"of"ponies"loaned,"borrowed"etc."I"rode"unFl"my"late"
teens."I"was"diagnosed"in"1993"with"Limb"Girdle"Muscular"Dystrophy"and"am"now"a"Grade"1A"rider.

16. Emma
Cleethorpes and Grimsby RDA

17. Getting together
as a Region
Wouldn’t it be great to get riders, drivers,
volunteers, instructors and supporters together to
share ideas and find out more about all the
different things RDA is involved in?
North Midlands RDA is looking to organise an
event like this.
Please fill in our questionnaire to help us
organise an event that would suit you.

18. Phoebe
Scropton RDA
I go to RDA Scropton. I enjoy it because it is really fun and helps people a
lot. So far I have ridden horses called Zeus, Jasmine,Haggis, Jeago,
Sebastian, Lottie and Spice.
I ride here every Thursday and every fortnight on Saturdays. My Mum rides
here every fortnight on Thursdays. My instructors on Thursdays are June,
Sue and sometimes Kay.
On Saturdays my instructor is Abbie. On Saturdays and sometimes
Thursdays girls from college and school come to help with leading and
side-walking. On Thursdays students come from college and university to
learn to do this.
I have done lots of competitions and riding tests. My latest are RDA Grade
3 , which sadly I did not pass, and also Countryside Challenge and
Dressage. I got a rosette for Countryside Challenge and fourth place in
Dressage. We had to practise,practise, practise! For my riding tests Chris
is my examiner. I used to do stable management with Hannah. You can do
tests for that as well!
There is a nice café there that I go to on Saturdays as it is not open on
Thursday except on special days. My friend bakes cakes for them they are
lovely. I love it here and everybody helps in their own way. I hope to come
here until I am extremely old and weak.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH SCROPTON FROM PHOEBE AND HER
FAMILY AND HER LEGS (HA HA). THEY CAN DO SO MANY NEW
THINGS! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!

19. Kesteven RDA
Situated in the picturesque village of Hough on the Hill, Lincs, Kesteven RiDeAbility is a friendly,
welcoming group offering disabled adults and children the opportunity to experience equestrian disciplines
such as Dressage, Showjumping and Endurance.
The group offers a proven pathway of success from grass roots therapeutic riding to competing at
Paralympic level. Activities include weekly riding sessions, riding holidays in Wales and competing at
regional and national level.
Our horses and ponies are perfect for riders up to about 12.5st in weight. We offer riding in the arena and
walks around the farm – a chance to explore the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside.
We welcome riders with a wide range of disabilities and have a simulator with a hoist if mounting is
difficult. Horse riding provides an inclusive, exciting and adventurous outdoor activity for children and
adults. Whether you want to ride for therapy, fun or for a new challenge, why not see if we can help?
We are run entirely by volunteers, and we’re always looking for new helpers for a wide range of
operational and managerial tasks. Volunteers are needed to help our members benefit from this interactive
and progressive therapy - the magical bond between horse and rider.
We look forward to welcoming you into our friendly team
The group is managed by an enthusiastic committee who meet every six weeks to plan activities and fund-
raising events. Riding sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and there are four
instructors registered with the group.

20. Emma
Scropton RDA
As I’ve been riding a long time, it’s been a hobby for me. Horses are amazing animals and
they are so clever at everything and also very understanding too. Everybody I have met at
RDA has been very friendly and given lots of in information.
I would recommend Scropton RDA to anyone whatever age or ability. Give it a try!

21. Jack
Dovecote RDA
This is Jack riding Jack!
Jack ( the rider!) says
“I like walking outside in
the sunshine”

22. Join RDA North Midlands
on Social Media:
www.northmidlandsrda.org.uk
@North_Mids_RDA
https://www.facebook.com/
NorthMidlandsRDA

23. Annie
Scropton RDA
I started riding at Scropton RDA in 2002,
coming with the Whitemoor Group. I rode
Bess and Speedy, but had to stop riding for
several years. I started riding again in 2014
after finishing chemotherapy, which I had
been looking forward to. I rode Bisto but
sadly he passed away which upset me. I
now ride Chester and LouLou.
I love coming, the staff are very friendly and
helpful. I enjoy the food in the coffee bar!

24. Mid-Derbyshire RDA
Name of Group?
Mid-Derbyshire RDA
Where are you based?
We’re based in the village of Tansley, on the outskirts of Matlock, in central Derbyshire
What does your RDA Group do?
We are a small RDA Centre, open during school term time and offer 11 riding sessions on 4 days of the
week. We offer pony riding only; to children from the age of 5 and adults.
Around 70 disabled people from all areas in Mid-Derbyshire use our centre.
We have 3 ponies to provide our riding sessions.
Some photographs of our Group facilities and activities We are based in the village of Tansley, on
the outskirts of Matlock in central
Derbyshire.
We are a small RDA Centre, open during
the school term time and offer 11 riding
sessions on 4 days of the week. We offer
pony riding only to children from the age
of 5 and adults.
Around 70 disabled people from all areas
in Mid-Derbyshire use our centre.
We have 3 ponies to provide our riding
sessions.

25. Sarah
Kesteven RDA
I started riding at the age of 12 at a riding school called Abbey Livery in Langworth. This is where I went every
Sunday for a hack and to basically help with the horses e.g mucking out/feeding, but finished at the age of 17
due to closure of the stables. I took a few years out and during this time, out of nowhere, I suffered a
massive stroke at the age of 23 and was left paralysed down my right hand side. After my stroke I was looking
for an activity that I could do and enjoy, and now ride at The Paddocks, Hough on the Hill (Kesteven Rideability
RDA) and really enjoy it. Karen, Nicky and Sarah have worked hard with me to get me riding again. Riding has
been the best form of physio I have had and given me a fantastic group of friends.
I have competed at the Nationals
Championships twice now. My highest score
was 3rd
in the freestyle on Emily. This was at
my first ever National Competition in 2013,
walk only with one hand no stirrups. Emily has
sadly now retired and was my favourite. My
second National competition was in July 2014
on Spider and came 11th
in a walk and trot
test. I was very proud of Spider and myself as
I had only been riding with two hands on the
reins for 10 weeks prior to the Nationals and
he really did look after me. My advice to
anybody with a disability is not to give up, find
an activity, good instructors and enjoy what
you are doing.
The Paddocks Riding Stables provide a huge
amount of support for all their riders and work
very hard fundraising to support the activities.

26. Gabriel
Scropton RDA
Gabriel is 11 years old and has been riding at Scropton RDA since he was about 8. He is
disabled, being double jointed all over and also severely autistic with no speech at all and very
limited communication.
Gabriel enjoys his weekly riding lesson – in the last couple of years he has learnt to pat his chest
to sign “I want” (to ride) to clap with delight and to shout “on” (to indicate walk on). Gabriel knows
the horses and staff well and enjoys the caring community at Scropton RDA. He finds the
movement of the horse soothing as he needs sensory stimulation constantly. Gabriel is always
calmer and happier after his riding lesson and sleeps well on Saturday nights! Gabriels’s
favourite horses are Jeago and Jasmine, he kisses their noses to say goodbye.

27. Our RDA Region
We are a part of the RDA North Midlands region
This is one of 18 RDA regions in the UK
RDA North Midlands covers Derbyshire,
Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and
Northamptonshire

28. Eli
Scropton RDA
I love to go to Scropton RDA and ride. I started coming with Outlook, but only
watched. Then I went to Whitemoor and started to ride myself. At first I rode a little
pony called Charlie who Mary used to tack up for me. One day Mary tacked up a
pony who looked like Charlie but behaved somewhat differently!! We all had a good
laugh, especially Mary and Katy.
I sometimes feel unwell, but always want to ride. I like gymkhana games, but
throwing balls and eggs is the highlight of the session for me! I don’t always hit the
mark but sidewalkers could do with a hard hat!

29. Cleethorpes &Grimsby RDA
We"are"based"at"Weelsby"Park"Riding"School"at"Weelsby,"Grimsby"by"kind"
permission"of"the"Woodhead"Family"
We"have"three"sessions"on"Wednesday"and"Thursday"mornings"and"Saturday"
acernoon"which"include"25"riders"from"4"years"upwards"with"a"range"of"physical"
and"mental"disabiliFes."Our"fabulous"three"Instructors"and"18"volunteers"ably"
look"acer"everybody."
We"have"got"6"riders"going"to"the"North"Midlands"Dressage"Qualifier."
This"year,"our"long"worked"on"project"of"buying"a"Mechanical"Horse"Simulator"
came"about"and"we"are"now"in"a"posiFon"to"really"start"making"use"of"George"
which"will"benefit"many"exisFng"and"future"RDA"riders."

30. Aila
Lincolnshire Wolds RDA
Last"June"I"went"with"my"Mum"on"the"RDA"holiday"to"
Wales"at"the"Clywd"Special"Riding"Centre"–"it"was"
amazing."I"rode"a"pony"called"Chester"who"is"a"
gymkhana"champion."
I"did"lots"of"riding"and"won"five"roseges"which"I"am"
very"proud"of."I"even"tried"vaulFng,"which"is"riding"
backwards"with"no"saddle."It"made"my"Mum"cry"when"
she"saw"me"doing"this"because"she"was"so"proud"of"me"
–"I"thought"it"was"lots"of"fun!"
Jeanege"and"the"helpers"at"the"RDA"are"always"happy"
to"see"me"and"they"are"all"my"friends"–"they"take"good"
care"of"me"and"I"look"forward"to"seeing"them"every"
week."Thankyou!
My"name"is"Aila,"I"am"7"years"old"and"have"Down’s"Syndrome."I"started"riding"at"4"years"old"
when"I"was"fortunate"enough"to"get"a"place"at"the"Lincolnshire"Wolds"RDA"group."Riding"is"
one"of"the"favourite"things"that"I"do!"
I"go"riding"once"a"week"–"in"the"winter"I"ride"at"the"Kenwick"Park"centre"in"Louth"which"is"
really"nice"and"in"the"summer"I"ride"at"Ulceby"Grange."The"pony"I"ride"each"week"is"called"
KaFe"and"she"is"a"chestnut"colour"–"I"love"her"very"much"and"someFmes"take"her"carrots"
which"she"really"likes.

31. Our RDA Region
Within the region we have 29 groups who give over 9,000 rides to more than
800 riders/drivers each year. They come to us each week to enjoy the
experience of riding or carriage driving - with opportunities to join us in
learning a new skill as well as entering competitions or even taking a holiday.
All this combines to bring a new dimension to necessarily restricted lives,
encourages independence and does much to improve a wide range of
medical conditions.
All this is made possible thanks to the commitment of more than 500
volunteers who regularly and cheerfully give up their free time - and energy -
to ensure that RDA continues to give not only pleasure but a sense of
achievement to disabled individuals of all ages.

32. John
Scropton RDA
I’ve been riding at Scropton RDA on Tuesdays for about
10 years. I love to come and ride and am always first off
the bus and changed into my jodhpurs before the staff
are even off their marks! I do need assistance with my
boots as often I put them on the wrong feet. This always
makes Katy my instructor laugh. I am very keen to tell
my family how well I’ve done and always ask my leader
to tell Phil, my brother-in-law!
I ride very well and once qualified to go to the
championships at Hartpury.
I ride lots of different ponies or horses, from Jeago to
Disney – I’m unfazed by size.
I also cheer on Mark my friend and fellow rider when he
goes to competitions, through fair or foul weather. I do a
great sitting trot which everyone is very envious of ( you
couldn’t get a cigarette paper between me and the
saddle!)

33. Scropton RDA
Scropton#RDA#is#based#in#the#village#of#Scropton##
in#the#south#of#Derbyshire.#
We#are#a#full#time#RDA#Centre,#open#7#days#a#week,#52#weeks#a#year.#
We#offer#riding#and#carriage#driving#to#children#from#the#age#of#5#
and#adults.#Around#200#local#disabled#people#use#our#centre.#
We#have#27#horses#and#ponies#to#provide#our#riding#and#driving#
sessions.#As#well#as#these#activities#we#also#run#some#horse#care#
lessons,#competitions,#own#a#pony#days#and#more.

34. Ruby
Dovecote RDA
This is Ruby riding Scampie,
but she usually rides Rodney.
Ruby says “ I like Rodney! We
post letters and drop toys”

35. Getting more involved
There’s opportunities to get more involved in
RDA as a volunteer.
Many of our riders and drivers help their groups
in a variety of ways : helping with horse & ponies,
volunteering in lessons, fund raising, admin…..
there’s always something you can do.
Why not ask your group how you can get more
involved?

36. Erin
Scropton RDA
I wrote this story to show how I feel about riding:
Once upon a time there was a little girl called Sophie. One
day Sophie’s mum woke her up and told her that she was
booked in to go horse riding at Scropton RDA Centre.
Sophie was so happy she ran around her bedroom
screaming with excitement. The riding centre was just
around the corner from Sophie’s house. When Sophie got
to the riding centre she was greeted by Kay “Hello you
must be Sophie. My name is Kay. Let’s get your horse”
Kay led Sophie to the stables and she saw a white ( well
not so white because he had been rolling in the mud) pony
all tacked up ready for her to ride. And the horse’s name
was Guinness!
The End!

37. Ruddington RDA
In 1998 the Group was formed by a few friends in order to help children with severe
learning difficulties from Nethergate School. To date, we still have about eight
children who ride with us from that school. Their abilities vary, riding has definitely
given them more confidence, physical improvement and helps with their
communication skills. Each session is designed so that the children work towards
the RDA proficiency tests at their own level. It is a joy to see each child progress,
and their obvious enjoyment. Riding is the highlight of their week according to the
teachers.
We have won regional competitions, and gone on to compete at national level. On
2010 we created our own Achievement Award in memory of a little girl, Gold
Gallagher, who once rode with us. Sadly in 2003 she died suddenly, aged only 11
years. We thought it would be fitting to present the first Award when Gold would have
been 18 years old. This is presented each year in June.
We have several theme days throughout the year, one of the favourites being the
Teddy Bears Picnic which is held on the last day of the summer term. Of course we
all end up eating cake!
We ride each Tuesday afternoon during term time from about 1.30 to 3.15pm at
Bunny Hill Riding Centre, Bunny Hill Top, Costock, Nottingham

38. India
Kesteven RDA
My name is India and I ride at Kesteven Rideability . Karen Thompson is my
teacher on a Tuesday afternoon, Riding with Kesteven has made me more
confident in myself because i can be myself .
I started riding with Kesteven just over a year ago. I
did my first competition with the RDA last year and
come first at the regionals and then i went to the
nationals champions last year and came 9th in the
walk ,trot id dressage test out of 35 other riders it
gave me lots of confidence in myself because I
know I can do what i love doing…. riding horses .
I have autism and specific learning disabilities so i
find it really hard talking to people, but when i am
with horses or riding i feel like it doesn’t matter that i
have autism and specific learning disabilities i feel
like a whole person ….”normal” .
My future goal is to compete in dressage at the
Olympics!

39. Getting together
as a Region
Wouldn’t it be great to get riders, drivers,
volunteers, instructors and supporters together to
share ideas and find out more about all the
different things RDA is involved in?
North Midlands RDA is looking to organise an
event like this.
Please fill in our questionnaire to help us
organise an event that would suit you.

40. Julie
Scropton RDA
I started at Scropton RDA in 1998 with the Whitemoor Group.
I use a wheelchair most of the time so riding a horse, either Jasmine or Jeago, is lots
of fun and it makes me laugh. I tell my carers I want to ride by practicing rising trot in
my wheelchair when they ask me if I want to go to Scropton RDA.
I love to attend the Open Days and especially like the cake stall.
I like meeting all the staff who all know my name. Every week I ride we do something
new or different.
Riding makes me very happy and I laugh and smile throughout my session

41. Ethan
Dovecote RDA
This is Ethan riding Jeff. Jeff is a
star and Ethan always gives him
a big hug at the end of every
lesson. Ethan says “ I enjoy
brushing my pony and trotting
around the barn”

42. Eric
Lincolnshire Wolds RDA
My"name"is"Eric,"I"am"45"years"old"and"totally"blind"with"only"minimal"hearing,"which"is"due"to"Rubella."
I"have"been"part"of"the"Lincolnshire"Wolds"RDA"group"now"for"11"years."In"this"Fme"I"have"grown"in"confidence"and"my"
riding"skills"have"greatly"improved,"reaching"my"Grade"2,"which"I"am"very"proud"of."
I"look"forward"to"my"weekly"riding"lesson,"not"only"for"the"riding,"but"to"spend"Fme"with"the"group"whom"I"class"as"my"
close"friends,"not"only"seeing"them"at"RDA"but"meeFng"them"for"birthday"and"Christmas"parFes."
Most"years"I"am"able"to"agend"the"RDA"holiday"at"the"Special"Riding"Centre"ay"Clwyd,"where"I"get"the"chance"to"learn"
new"skills,"last"year"gaining"my"Grade"1"in"vaulFng,"I"have"also"had"the"experience"of"carriage"driving"there."I"enjoy"the"
holiday","lots"of"riding"and"spending"Fme"with"my"friends,"helping"out"with"food"preparaFon"and"and"also"having"the"
odd"beer."
In"2013,"I"entered"the"Countryside"Challenge"and"was"placed"in"3rd"place,"if"I"had"been"placed"2nd,"I"would"have"got"into"
the"naFonals."

43. Join RDA North Midlands
on Social Media:
www.northmidlandsrda.org.uk
@North_Mids_RDA
https://www.facebook.com/
NorthMidlandsRDA

44. Gemma
Scropton RDA
The RDA is a place I love to go to because
it’s where I enjoy doing my hobby
horseriding. I started to ride when I was 10
years old. My friend inspired me to ride. She
rides and I found it interesting. The RDA at
Scropton is a great place to go because
there are wonderful horses to ride and the
staff are great, They make you feel safe and
make sure we have fun. I love horseriding!

45. Jarrod
Wenlo RDA
My name is Jarrod and I am 13 years old.
My first riding lesson was with my class mates
from Ashmount School and the first horse I rode
on was Bramble. This was a long time ago.
Now in 2015 I ride mostly on Clancy and also
Charlie.
I took part in the Special Olympics Nationals at
Hartpury, Gloucester 2 years ago. It was a big
competition and I did very well. I won 2 medals -
one gold, one bronze and also got a fourth place.
I feel great when I am riding and I am pleased to
be riding on my own now, off lead rein.
My favourite event is the working trails because it
is interesting. But I also enjoy dressage as I get to
wear a jacket and tie which looks really smart.

46. Matt
Scropton RDA
My name is Matt and I have been riding at Scropton RDA for 15 years since I was 6! I started with a leader
and sidewalks but was determined to ride independently, and learnt to trot and canter, then later to jump. I’m
lucky enough to have my own horse now and I do some Grade lll Para Dressage and Grade ll Para
Showjumping. Riding is my favourite thing and it is all because of RDA that I have achieved these successes.
I have a physical disability, but also have autism and learning difficulties and so have also competed with
Special Olympics, winning two gold medals at the last National Championships.
My current horse is called Garry and he is a 16.1hh 9 year old Irish Sports Horse. I’ve only had him for a few
months so we’re still getting used to each other, but I am starting to take him to a few local competitions.
We’re planning to go to the North Midlands regional dressage and then start some para shows in the
summer.
I am the regional rider representative for RDA North Midlands. My aim is to help riders and drivers get the
most out of RDA. I do lots of support work through social media, and help at different events. I have
organised this display so that everyone can learn a bit more about North Midlands RDA and what we do.
I am also on the RDA national participants committee, supporting riders & drivers throughout RDA to get
more involved. In 2014 I was a speaker at the RDA National AGM and met Princess Anne.
I really enjoy all my involvement with RDA, both riding and as a volunteer.
@RDAMattDalley
https://www.facebook.com/TheParaRiderMD
www.matthewdalley.co.uk

47. Matt
Scropton RDA