This weekend’s RDA National Championships will see 327 competitors, and hundreds of horses from across the UK compete at Hartpury University and College, Gloucester.
The event (14-16 July) is a celebration of all that the charity stands for – demonstrating the positive benefits of the human-horse partnership, showcasing the achievements of disabled riders, carriage drivers and vaulters, and reuniting the RDA community over three days of competition.
Anne Coney, RDA National Championships Chair is delighted to be back at Hartpury.
“I am so grateful to Hartpury for the use of their world class facilities as well as to the 150 strong team of volunteers and National Office staff who have made the event possible,” she said. “It requires an enormous amount of organisation to coordinate the many events within each discipline as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of all our competitors and horses. It’s not just about the competitions though as there are many social activities across the three days, with the fancy dress disco on Saturday night being the highlight for many!”
Participants from 84 RDA Groups have qualified via regional qualifiers, and competing at the RDA National Championships represents the culmination of all their determination and hard work.
Julie Furber was a winner in last year’s dressage competition and enjoyed being a part of the occasion.
“The championships is a very important event,” she said. “|The participants get so much pleasure out of horses and riding and being able to take part in something. I feel privileged to take part in and be part of it.”
With a packed programme, the event includes ridden and non-ridden classes, including dressage, carriage driving, the Countryside Challenge, showjumping, vaulting and showing, plus an Arts and Crafts competition for those who cannot attend in person. The championships take place in the indoor and outdoor facilities at Hartpury, with the indoor arena live streamed throughout the event on Facebook, Youtube and Horse and Country TV.
“The National Championships are an opportunity to celebrate all that is great about RDA,” added Interim Chair of Trustees, Frances Lochrane. “The championships remind us all why we do what we do on a daily basis in our groups and regions. To be able to offer so much to our participants, many of whom might never have the opportunity to compete at an event like this without the support of their groups is heart warming and something that we should all be immensely proud of. My thanks go to everyone who has made this event happen.”
Watch live via @RDANational facebook.com , youtube.com/user/RDANational, or on horseandcountry.tv
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