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Showing success for RDA superstars

RDA Search for a star

Excited competitors travelled from all over England to take part in the first Search for a Star Riding for the Disabled (RDA) championship since 2019

Pony and rider combinations demonstrated their finest showing skills at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, all hoping to bring home a championship rosette for their local RDA group. Winners also received a plaque and green and gold sashes along with helpful advice from the judges about how to take their showing to the next level.

The overall champion title went to Tara Redfern and My Last Bob, who’s owned by the Wenlo RDA group. Kirsty Mabin’s gorgeous skewbald, Doylan Bodacious Gift, from Erme Valley RDA was awarded best pony. Chris Bradley and MBF Harley Rebel took the best rider title for Cambridgeshire College RDA. Finally, Catriona McCartney and Axholme Thor took the championship prize for best combination for Avon RDA group.

Tara was delighted with how the afternoon went and said: “I’ve only been riding Bob for five or six weeks and I’ve never been to the RDA Championships before. It’s great to get this experience and it’s very kind of Dawn, Bob’s owner, to say we should have a go.” Tara has been a carriage driving volunteer at Wenlo RDA and Carriage Driving Group, she continued: “I enjoy going every Tuesday to do jobs around the yard and to help with the driving. I’m hopefully going to go to some driving competitions with the group in the future, too.”

We all know how incredible RDA ponies are so it must be really tough to pick a winner! Search for a Star judge, Katie Jerram-Hunnable, explains how it’s done, she said: “In this class, we look for a very mannerly horse or pony that’s straightforward for the rider. The horse or pony must enjoy the job, conformation of course comes into it, but the manners and suitability are crucial.” All the RDA events are calm to make sure that the competitors have a great experience.

To find out more about Search for a Star or get involved, head to www.seib.co.uk/competitions

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