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RDA News MIDLANDS REGION

Derbyshire

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

On a visit to Moulton College Equestrian unit with her husband, Mrs Mary Laing, wife of Mr. David Laing, Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, was presented with a specially created bouquet of flowers produced by Moulton floristry student Anne McLelland. Jack, one of the Wilby group’s regular riders, took great delight in making the presentation......

Also in this issue: Queen’s Awards News from the Groups 40 years driving Hartpury successes Focus on new Notts Group Gillian Higgins’ advice (2) All things hippo and more......

Spring/Summer RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION is a Charity registered in England and Wales (244108) and Scotland 2015 (SC039473) Registered Company No. 5010395 Issue No. 13 President: HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL, KG, KT, GCVO, DSO

CONGRATULATIONS Anita Parker, proprietor of Woodside Farm Stables in Rainworth, Notts has been awarded the British Empire Anita Parker on Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to disabled people. Anita set up her own RDA group at being awarded the Woodside Farm in 1971, inspired by her involvement with BEM in the Queen’s Riding for the Disabled in a variety of voluntary roles. The original riding school there financed the ponies so that Birthday Honours list Anita could follow her RDA dream. She is still a volunteer Group Instructor at Woodside. Sandi Betts on receiving the

President’s Award

Angela’s day at the

Palace

Mrs Parker being wired for sound, ready for ITV News coverage of her award

Sandi Betts’ contribution to Riding for the Disabled was recognised when she received the President’s Award, presented by HRH The Princess Royal on the occasion of the National Championships held at Hartpury in July. Sandi filled the role of RDA North Midlands Regional Chairman for many years, and was founder of the former Jetna House Farm (Swinderby) RDA Group in Lincolnshire.

Angela Doughty, who was reported in the last issue as having been awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List, has since made the trip to Buckingham Palace to be presented with her award. Angela says “My day at Buckingham Palace was quite demanding, but made especially wonderful when I learned that our President, HRH The Princess Royal was officiating. As I was waiting in the queue of candidates, I could see that she had a short chat with each recipient then extended her hand to shake as a signal that it was their moment to leave. But when my turn came she held out her LEFT hand – a truly humbling moment. She asked me how I find changes over the years, ‘In volume mostly’ I replied ‘So many more riders and the paperwork to go with them’. She agreed, saying it was good to see me again, and off I went. This was indeed a privilege and Honour to represent my group and all the work of the Riding for the Disabled Association.” Angela, Mrs Doughty MBE

SISTER ACT - KESTEVEN RIDEABILITY NEWS from the Karen Thompson reports: GROUPS

Two pairs of sisters have qualified for the Riding for the Disabled National Championships held at Hartpury College, Gloucester July 17th to 19th 2015.

Hayley, Kayleigh, Sisters Laura & Hayley Ensor from Caythorpe Jodie and Laura and Jodie & Kayleigh Hughes from Waddington competed at the Regional Countryside Challenge Qualifiers, Scropton, Derbyshire on Monday, 11th May.

The competition consisted of a course of obstacles including opening a gate and riding under arches, the riders being marked on their riding ability and accuracy. At the Nationals the sisters will also have the opportunity to compete in an Introduction to Dressage class.

The girls were over the moon at having qualified in 2 very strong classes. Hayley and Laura came 1st and 2nd in the Senior section and Kayleigh and Jodie took 1st and 2nd place in the Juniors.

Jodie also won the award for best junior of the day with a huge score of 90%. Her sister Kayleigh commented “I found the course challenging but extremely well laid out and inviting to ride. The horse I rode, Sox, was wonderful and really helped me complete the round.”

Thanks to the Rosemarie Anne Foundation for providing the funding needed to take riders to Jodie wins the award for these events. Best Junior

R WANTED 13.2 pony for Cottesbrook RDA - gelding ideal

We need a 13.2 pony for Cottesbrooke RDA in Northamptonshire Sadly Snoopy, aged 20 plus, after 15 years of wonderful service with RDA, and Pony Club before that, has to be retired. A gelding to replace him would be ideal - aged, and up to a bit of weight etc. We start again on the 7th September. Hoping the ideal pony is out there. Tess Le Sueur Tel: 01604 686266 M 07811368292

Pride of Charnwood Awards Winner – Francesca Massarella – from WENLO RDA Report by Susan Tomkins

The Pride of Charnwood Awards has taken place for the fifth year running and this year proved to be particularly impressive, with record numbers of nominations. The awards are organized by Charnwood Youth Council, all aged between 11-19 years old, with the support of Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire County Youth Service, on behalf of Charnwood Community Safety Partnership. The objective of the awards is to give recognition to volunteers aged 11-19 who give their time effort and energy to improve the quality of life in Charnwood. This year’s awards, in February, saw Francesca Massarella win the ‘Helping the Community Award’ for dedicated support to the local community. Francesca was unanimously voted the winner by the Youth Council for her dedication to Wenlo and RDA, which is based at Meadow School of Riding, Loughborough.

In 1975 RDA amended its Constitution to include carriage driving.

Popularity grew. RDA now has 66 driving groups and 1026 drivers

SPRINGBRIDGE joined in the 40 year celebrations The horses proudly modelled their rosettes and members their badges. Jack, 36 years young and still sprightly, showed his paces on the Centre’s new outdoor school sand surface.

Mount Group Medley of Results at Hartpury Pat Bishop writes:

We had a very successful weekend at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July 2015. Julie Clark and Hearnsbrook Mizen started the weekend on Friday in the PVI (partially visionally sighted) class with a First place and was overall Champion with 76.2% winning a super Glass Horse Trophy, presented here by Jane Holderness-Roddam. Julie was also the highest marked PVI/TVI rider, which gained her another trophy

On Saturday, Vicky Nurcombe (below left) and Fabrication (Harry ) won both their Grade II classes with overall champion and highest dressage marks of the day, two very nice silver trophies.

Joseph Platt, (right) ex soldier and his horse Spirit, won his Intro- dressage. In the level 3 show jumping he came 5th and won the senior combine training. A wonderful start to what he hopes will be his new career.

Christine (right) with Erin Orford the PARA rider who presented

the prizes.

On Sunday, Christine Durrance who rode Spirit did the ID Freestyle to music: 69% beaten to second place by only one mark! (there was a problem with the start of her music) In her Championship class she got 77.4% on Spirit, who has yet to learn medium trot, and again

second place by less than a mark. He is a super star!

SNIPPETS: The phrase “a walk-over” meaning an easy win or task originated from British horse racing. At one time there was no guaranteed prize money for horses finishing second or third in a race, and therefore no incentive to enter a horse in a race unless it could be sure to win. Under Jockey Club rules, where there was only one horse entered in a race it had to at least “walk over” the course before being declared the winner. In the eighteenth century the champion racehorse Eclipse was so dominant that he was allowed to walk over on nine occasions. The 1828 Epsom Derby winner Cadland walked over in at least six “races”. On Sunday, 17th May Ruddington Group once again attended a fundraising event organised by the local Masonic Lodge and the Heritage Centre at Ruddington Country Park. This year’s joint charity was Faith in Families, an adoption agency which has its offices in West Bridgford, Nottingham. The event was officially opened by ice skating champion Jayne Torvill who became patron of the charity last year. Chairman of the group, Christine Whiteside is also a volunteer with Faith in Families, and was able to arrange for us to meet Jayne and to have photographs taken. We had a very enjoyable day and raised a few funds with our tombola stall.

June saw the sixth annual presentation of our Gold Gallagher Award for achievement. This was set up in memory of one of our riders who died suddenly aged only 11 years.

This year we decided to present it to Tobias Ratcliffe. Tobias started riding with us in January, 2015. We started as we always do, by introducing him slowly to the pony he would be riding, and gradually he gained confidence. Tobias is autistic and has very high myopia, so is unable to see very well. He really enjoys himself and for him to be learning a new skill which also involves an animal is a joy to him. Horse riding has helped to strengthen his core muscles, and has improved his balance and posture tremendously. He has overcome the fact that he can’t see well, and when he is on his pony he is always very happy and full of life. Tobias improved consistently from week to week in his riding and horse management. He was always eager to learn and tried hard to answer questions and follow instructions, so to this end he was awarded RDA Proficiency Certificates for Grade 1 Riding and Grade 1 Horse Care and Management. In all the weeks he rode the ponies, he was always cheerful and polite to his helpers. It is obvious to us that Tobias is very happy to be riding on Tuesday afternoon.

We were lucky that Sue Scrini was coming to do a Group Review on Tuesday, 30th June, so she was able to present Tobias with his award, and his parents were able to come and see him too.

Ruddington Group is now in its 27th year. We continue to take children from Nethergate

School, as we have done since our very first session in 1988. Diana Haddon, Group Instructor

As the Summer term draws to a close with Awards Day on 9th July Nottingham Group can reflect on a successful and rewarding 2015.

We welcomed several new volunteers and gave lessons to riders in school groups from Fernwood, Ash Lea and Foxwood schools as well as to some independent riders in individual lessons or who joined the school group lessons. New this term, we introduced after school lessons for Ash Lea pupils.

Four of our riders Daisy, Ellie, Taiba and Joshua competed in the Regional Countryside Challenge in May and Daisy and Ellie who came respectively first and second in their class qualified for the National Championships. At the National Championships in Hartpury in July Daisy was second in the Countryside Challenge with 92.25% and first in the combined training. Ellie, who rides at Colston Bassett, was first in the dressage and second in the Countryside Challenge. (see Ellie’s photo with the Belvoir Vale report) Well done to both riders!

We have held some successful fund raising events: a Quiz Night at The Poppy and Pint in West Bridgford; a Fun Dog Show in Long Whatton in June and a Charity Fun Day held on Saturday 25th July, kindly hosted by The Goose at Gamston, which included live music, an auction and grand prize raffle in support of Nottingham Group. Fiona Mason, Publicity Officer

Snippets: Spotted and snapped, but not at an RDA stables. Thanks to Jane Payne of Dovecote Group for this amusing contribution

The Belvoir Vale Group is an exciting new FOCUS on the new venture which will be based in Colston Bassett BELVOIR VALE situated in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir RDA Group

In March 2013 Nottingham Group RDA, based at Lings Lane Stables, Keyworth, started offering riding sessions at weekends at Colston Bassett for a few of their riders who could no longer ride at their regular Thursday Sessions because of other school commitments.

Due to the small and friendly nature of the Colston Bassett Group it quickly grew in popularity. Demand exceeded expectations and now seven teaching sessions are available each week catering for both children and adult riders, with currently 13 riders regularly taking part in one or more session each week.

As a result of this success the Belvoir Vale RDA Group is being set up. An organisation which will be dedicated to supporting the very individual nature of the riding lessons which it offers. Sessions are run with a maximum of two riders who seem to relish the opportunity to develop that special relationship

between horse and rider.

The Group is backed by an enthusiastic team of Trustees from the local area. These include a parent, two instructors and a number of experienced professionals from the world of business. The Trustees are united in their desire to help people with disabilities to discover the endless possibilities of achievement and enjoyment through relationships with horses and ponies.

The home of the Belvoir Vale Group, Belle Vue Stables, is a separate business, owned and managed by Abi Walker who has been running her own riding school and livery yard in Colston Bassett for a number of years. Abi is ably supported by Tara Senuik who also coaches and assists with the yard. Belvoir Vale RDA Group is fortunate to have three RDA qualified instructors, Abi, Tara and Lesley Davies, current Chair of the North Midlands Region. The Group also benefits from having a great team of invaluable volunteers who help out at the weekends, many doing their Duke of Edinburgh or Young Equestrian Leaders Awards (YELA).

Operating with the support of the Nottingham Group, Belvoir Vale has already enjoyed considerable success.

One of their riders Ellie Wing qualified for the National Championships at Hartpury in July on one of the group’s ponies, Pumpkin. Here she won second prize in the Countryside Challenge Class and then went one better and won 1st prize in the Combined Training Class (Countryside Challenge plus Dressage) and was awarded her rosettes by Gold medal Olympian Jane Holderness-Roddam.

The day was made even more special for Ellie when HRH The Princess Royal, visiting the Championships on the Friday in her role as RDA Patron, stopped to talk to her.

When all the paperwork is complete and the Belvoir Vale Group is set up as an independent charity operating as a member group of the RDA UK, fundraising for the Group will begin in earnest. Future plans include a new clubhouse, to provide a welcome warm spot for parents and carers and a meeting place for riders to learn about Horse Care, and a second hand mechanical horse which will help develop the riders’ basic skills and allow them to progress even when the weather is prohibitive.

Belvoir Vale RDA is determined to make the most of the variety of activities available to RDA member groups so that they fulfil their objective of “providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride to benefit their health and well being.”

Jane Nuthall

News from Wilby RDA Angela Doughty reports:

We continue to grow in numbers, now riding on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with 116 riders, 53 of whom are new since September, 2014. We work with 4 schools on weekdays and 33 riders on Saturdays, some on a fortnightly basis according to their needs. Older SEN students come to study pony care for their ASDAN qualifications. Of our 50 plus volunteers, young ones are with us for their Duke of Edinburgh awards – Bronze, Silver and one Gold: they also work for the YELA badge. Some are staff at Nationwide, who come on a rota basis as part of their volunteering. /continued...... Since the announcement in the New Year we have received so many acknowledgments of praise, and just like all groups we welcome visitors to come to see what we do. Amongst others was our local MP, Mr Chris Heaton-Harris pictured left who joined us with a “Thumbs Up for Riding”

Another very special day for the Wilby Group was to welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Mr David Laing and his wife Mary.

Robbie Speirs, Commercial Manager at Moulton College writes: The visit was to view some of the incredible work that the group is involved in, which currently operates on four days of the week at the Moulton College equestrian unit.

Mr and Mrs Laing also were very pleased to be able to congratulate Wilby group founder, Mrs Angela Doughty, on recently being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New year’s honours list.

Angela Doughty of Walgrave, set up the Wilby Riding for the Disabled Trust in 1996 as a way of passing on her passion for the therapeutic qualities of animals, in particular horses. The trust, now based at Moulton College, uses ponies bred at Left to right: Mr Steve Davies, Principal at Moulton College; Angela her previous home in Wilby. Doughty; and Mr David Laing, HM Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire

Children with a wide range of profound learning and physical disabilities who attend schools in the Northampton and Kettering areas, including Kingsthorpe Grove, East Hunsbury and Fairfields use the trust’s facility, which operates during the week and on Saturdays.

Mrs Doughty said she felt the honour was recognition for her team of 50 volunteers and the therapeutic value gained by close contact with animals.

REMEMBER Gillian’s warning notes. See ISSUE 12 and never attempt to stretch cold muscles. For more information and details of Gillian’s books,

THANK YOU Gillian demonstrations and courses see More next issue www.HorsesInsideOut.com

Hippotherapy

(“hippo” from the Greek meaning horse) NOT

We all know that horse-riding is a therapy in itself. Each and every RDA session delivers a therapeutic input. We all work towards making that experience accessible to all who want it.

AND WE ALL DO A WONDERFUL JOB WHICH IS VALUED

Our volunteers ensure that exemplary health and safety standards prevail. The Charity model using volunteers ensures all is affordable. The same level of support in the commercial sector would render horse-riding and its valuable therapy available only to the affluent.

RDA generally has an emphasis on riding skills with the inclusion of therapeutic activities. We are familiar with games and exercises which involve stretching and reaching and co-ordination and social interaction. We can work with schools, and can incorporate elements of the national curriculum within sessions. We may (or may not) use a conventional saddle, specialist equipment, or blanket/pad + roller. We aim to facilitate individual participation. Remember the 1000 movements every 10 minutes on a walking horse – it has to be worth it.

But what about Hippotherapy? added value Hippotherapy emphasises physical benefits, utilising the trained Physiotherapist’s special handling skills and professional expertise. Hippotherapy may be offered to individuals who have greater physical disabilities, or those with other individual or specific physical challenges, which cannot be accommodated within a standard RDA session. The Hippotherapist will translate his/her specialist therapeutic skills, via the horse. She is able to focus on the most appropriate exercises to deliver treatment to match the individual needs of the client. She will also know whether the client is a suitable candidate who will actually benefit, and will also be aware of that client’s physical limitations.

Hippotherapy can help both congenital (born with) and acquired (gained during life) disabilities. The gait of the walking horse is three dimensional. When translated through the rider’s pelvis sitting on the horse, it resembles very closely the pattern of gait that humans have. The movements of the pelvis transfer upwards along the spine, including the head. Also stimulated are the rider’s hip joints and legs. This means that although a person may be unable to walk alone, their body is going through physical motions that are extremely close to those that happen when walking naturally – all because of the horse, which means it is fun as well.

This can be achieved by: Leading Back Riding (where the therapist sits on the horse behind the client) or long-reining all with appropriate side-walkers. In other words, by whatever means the Hippotherapist deems to be the most effective method of getting the horse moving forward with a straight and active gait.

The rider can be placed on the horse in whatever way the Hippotherapist considers most beneficial to achieve a specific therapeutic treatment aim.

The Hippotherapist may use a close-contact saddle, or perhaps a blanket or pad secured by a roller. The idea is to maximise the transfer of the horse’s movement and warmth. Warmth reduces pain and an active horse stimulates an otherwise passive rider. Your ACPTR Hippotherapist will have her own public liability insurance in place. She will first assess a new rider. Those with Cerebral Palsy will be assessed against the Gross Motor Function Classification System - Graded according to age bands and from I < V Additional terms may apply:

• Quadriplegic (4) • Hemiplegic (½) • Diplegic (2)

As she is a qualified professional involved in an RDA session, there is no need to have an RDA GI or Coach in charge. ACPTR students who are undertaking the final Case Study stage in their qualification are considered qualified since they have completed and passed all the taught modules.

Right: Nicola Jenkinson, completing her Case Study at Woodside Farm Stables RDA in Nottinghamshire, with rider Sharon who has progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Nicola is a full-time Chartered Paediatric Physiotherapist employed by the NHS and volunteers at Woodside on Saturdays

ACPTR - Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding A professional network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - a group of Physiotherapists interested in being involved with therapeutic riding or practising Hippotherapy. Occupational Therapists may join as associate members.

Provides support and development for members through: regular meetings training courses updates access to resources and advice On average 8 students encouraging research undertake the course each year. About the ACPTR Hippotherapy Course

The Hippotherapy course is one of a number of courses, workshops or study days organised by ACPTR for those therapists who wish to use the horse as part of a therapy programme.

• The course has been accredited with Robert Gordon University Aberdeen at Masters degree level and is now open to Occupational Therapists as well as Physiotherapists. • It consists of two sequential residential modules, each 4 days long, with a period of study and practical work following each module. • The first is the Equine Module, which covers horse behaviour and psychology, horse handling skills as well as conformation and movement. /continued... • The second module is Hippotherapy Practice. A student has to be assessed as competent in module 1 before proceeding to this second module.

A New Study Day – a Foundation for the ACPTR Hippotherapy Course Physiotherapists and OTs can develop the competence and confidence to practice their professional skills in an equestrian context by attending a new one-day study developed in partnership between RDA and ACPTR, and delivered by ACPTR, ‘An Introduction to Therapeutic Riding for Physios and OTs’. This provides basic information for therapists who are interested in assisting disabled riders and RDA Groups, and will provide a foundation for those who want to do the ACPTR Hippotherapy course. It is very affordable and counts towards the therapist’s CPD (Continuous Professional Development). ACPTR regard it as a stepping stone for those therapists interested in advanced training. Anyone interested should contact Elizabeth Beckerlegge, Chair of ACPTR, [email protected] or Denise Robertson, Head of Therapy at RDA, [email protected]

INSURANCE • Hippotherapy is covered by RDA insurance when carried out by a suitably qualified Physiotherapist (who has done the ACPTR post-grad course in Hippotherapy or the old Horse in Rehabilitation level 3). A student of that course who is undertaking her final case study is also covered as she has completed all the taught modules. • In Hippotherapy the Physiotherapist is in charge of the session. She does NOT have to have an RDA instructor/coach present though may choose to do so. • Hippotherapy is to be added to the list of RDA activities which will make the situation clearer. Vaulting is under the charge of a vaulting coach, showjumping under a showjumping coach, riding under a GI or coach, Hippotherapy under a physio. • RDA insurance says any RDA activity must have a suitably qualified person in charge (this means a Group Instructor or Coach or a person with professional qualifications) – in the case of Hippotherapy this is the Physiotherapist who has the Hippotherapy qualification.

Follow this link to a useful article on the RDA web-site: With thanks to Elizabeth Beckerlegge; Denise http://www.rda.org.uk/assets/Understanding- Robertson; and Nicola Jenkinson for their input to this Hippotherapy7.pdf article More information about ACPTR: http://acptr.csp.org.uk/

Your Letters pouring reviving pick-me-ups when we get home exhausted, baking, help with IT, changing A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR RDA’S shifts to suit RDA commitments, donating raffle

UNSUNG VOLUNTEERS prizes – the list is endless. They may not be "green-carded" or even We volunteers get a lot of rewards through be aware of their valuable input to RDA, and they rarely receive public seeing participants' smiles and progress, as well acknowledgment. as public recognition through RDA certificates and awards. So let us not forget the family, This hidden work-force of family, friends and friends and employers who support us. employers makes it possible for many of us to Jan Abrahams enjoy the whole RDA experience by taking Thank-you Jan – so many of us will recognise messages, driving us to events, mending things, these “volunteers” and join you in that applause I have long been fascinated by the origins are not what Editor’s Letter of words and how meanings have changed you brush on over the centuries. But it has still come a daily basis, but (don’t try this at home) as a surprise to me that so few people an ancient philtre, or love potion, obtained appear to know that Hippo originates from a mare or foal. Ancient maybe, but from the Greek for “horse”. This did you know that pregnant mares’ urine is enlightenment came from conversations still used in medicine production today – a about my own Woodside Farm Group’s controversial topic in the world of science Hippotherapy Project. I was recently at the moment. chuckling about the comment from a Enough digressing - I have been told yet member of the public who “thought we again recently that a local school might be only used horses” to be met with polite prepared to release one of its pupils who blank stares from people who obviously is disabled, and therefore cannot had no idea what I was talking about. participate in school sports, provided

That’s not an unusual experience for me, RDA can give evidence that horse riding is but it set me thinking, and prompted me classed as exercise! to dig out my dictionary to explore some So, thank-you, Denise Robertson for the further words which start with “hippo...” letter which I printed in last issue of and which involve either something to do NEWS. with horses, or refer to something which We obviously still have a lot to do to raise looks like a horse! awareness and to educate members of the The obvious are hippodrome: not just your public about the huge therapeutic local cinema but originally a circus or benefits of riding. arena for horse or chariot racing, and So rather than just celebrating what we hippopotamus: or water-horse, which must do, let’s promote what we achieve whilst have been named by someone who had doing it – that is the difference between never seen a horse before. “outputs” and “outcomes”. Funders these A hippogriff is not just an imaginary days want to have photos, but also want to creature created by J. K. Rowling and understand the results. Appreciating hippeatric relates to the treatment of what they need and providing it can mean horse diseases. The horse-chestnut the difference between an RDA group tree, supposedly so named for the horse- getting the money, or it being given to a shoe shaped scar left when twigs break neighbouring charity which explains its away, is of the hippocastanacea genus, and work better and thus seems more the hippocampus is not only a sea creature deserving. with horse like features, e.g. seahorse, THANK-YOU for all your contributions but also a part of the brain. this time – please keep them coming. A hippodame is a horse tamer (is the Winifred Pritchett “dame” part significant?) and hippomanes North Midlands Regional Publicity Officer

RIDING FOR THE DISABLED Diary Dates...more on regional web site: ASSOCIATION Incorporating Carriage rd Driving 3 to 6th September - Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford, Lincs NATIONAL OFFICE Sat. 26th September - Southwell Ploughing Match & Show 1A Tournament Court th Mon.28 September– Special Olympics, Scropton – Matthew Edgehill Drive Dalley is East Midlands Equestrian Athlete Rep for Special Olympics.

Warwick Wed. 30th September – Gala Awards, Lords Cricket Ground CV34 6LG Sat. 3rd October – Open Day Martin’s Farm, Dorket Head, Tel: 0845 658 1082 Notts th th www.rda.org.uk Sun/Mon 4 /5 October – Coaching Conference Moreton Morrell th www.northmidlandsrda.org.uk Fri. 6 November RDA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at Saddlers’ Hall, London

Tues.29th March, 2016 – Moulton College, Northants: North Midlands and East Region National Coaches’ Training Day. Open to Trainee, Assistant and Group Coaches. Application form circulated by Fiona Kendrick, RDA national office.

Registered Charity: 244108 nd Company Limited by Guarantee No. Next RDA Regional Meeting: 2 November, 2015 Please talk to your Regional and County Chairmen if you have any concerns, or 5010395 ideas, which you wish to be considered by RDA at regional or NORTH MIDLANDS REGIONAL national level. Regional Chairmen: PUBLICITY OFFICER: Lesley Davies: [email protected] Winifred Pritchett Clarissa Howkins: [email protected] 7 Robin Down Lane AND don’t forget your Rider and Driving representatives are there to voice your views: Mansfield, Notts. Driving : Sue Lynch: [email protected] NG18 4SP Rider: Matthew Dalley: [email protected]

01623 627974 [email protected] All contributions for next Newsletter to Winifred a.s.a.p. please, but by no later than 10th February, 2016. I can be flexible but not if everything comes in after the closing date. Full resolution photos attached to emails please (minimum size preferably 1 megabyte) but I can scan original photos if you are not into computers. Regional News celebrates individual Groups. Don’t wait to be asked - keep the news coming – and don’t forget comments for SNIPPETS or the feature articles about individual volunteers.