Newsletter - Summer 2011
Fundraising Highlights
Edinburgh Marathon 2011
The Edinburgh marathon relay team was made up of Penny’s husband, Gavin Clarke and 3 of his children, Fiona, Gareth and Sarah. Penny said "I'm not sure what the total is just now but I think they've raised over £1200 so far."Garden Party
Penny Goddard held a tea party in her back garden on 14th May. They had a wonderfully sunny day and about 35 people came for a cuppa and a cake and bought lots of plants. Penny said "We made just over £350 and sold 75 raffle tickets."Corporate Sponsorship
If your company would like to help Bannockburn RDA improve the lives of others, please contact us on 01786 813338. Opportunities range from sponsoring a horse to helping towards the cost of one of our events. We are happy to provide publicity in return.Classic Car Club supports RDA
The annual Stirling and District Classic Car rally raised funds for RDA and handed over a cheque for £1000.Rob Roy Sponsored Walk raises £1300
The Rotary Club of Stirling and members of BRDA walked part of the Rob Roy way in May and have raised over £1300. Thanks to all those who participated—especially Donald Buchan who missed the football match in order to take part!Get involved!
Check out the noticeboards, website and email updates for fundraising events to come. Or think up your own idea and pop in for a sponsor form — we would love to hear from you.Para Weekend
We recently hosted a British Dressage Para training weekend, with 6 visiting horses and riders. Puzzle and Nelly were used and Fraser Mathieson also took part. It was an inspiring and educational weekend for all involved.
Dressage Qualifiers
RDA National dressage qualifiers were held here on 7th June, and we fielded 20 entries. Everyone rode brilliantly and the horses were turned out amazingly well. Huge thanks to all staff and volunteers who helped make this such a wonderful day for our riders.
Fraser Mathieson and Julie Ashby travelled south to Hartpury to compete in the Nationals, both returned with Highly Commendable scores—well done! Thanks are due to Carol Moran who provided the transport.
Special Olympics
Owen Keeble returned from Athens with 1 gold medal and 2 silvers to add to the trophy cabinet. A fantastic achievement, especially considering Owen competed on loaned horses. We are very proud to have a member of the British Equestrian Team here at Bannockburn RDA!
Regional Training
A Regional training day was held on May 26th for all groups to attend. Representatives from Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy focused on how we can communicate better with our clients, and gave us same excellent hints and tips.
Horseboy
We are currently working with Rupert Isaacson of Horseboy and leading the RDA national pilot of Horseboy techniques for working with children with autism. Look out for more updates about this exciting development over the coming months.
Equestrian vaulting
The vaulting team have given a number of displays over the last few months, most recently at the FitKids Day in Stirling, where they raised over £90 at the tombola and demonstrated the benefits of vaulting to an interested crowd. Thanks to the vaulting team and to all the helpers and parents who helped make this event a success.
RDA Showjumping
Once again BRDA is taking a lead in RDA development, and has been passed as a centre for RDA showjumping. Most of the work will be done over poles—not quite Puissance yet! - but its great to add another discipline to our range.
Watch for further details.
Carriage Driving
Its been a busy season for our carriage drivers : hosting the Carriage Driving Conference in April, competitions at Ayr and Hopetoun House, a week long driving holiday in July, not to mention weekly sessions for drivers old and new over the course of the season. Phheww!
Summer programme
It has been a busy summer, with riders new and old coming in for taster sessions, countryside rides, volunteer hacks, vaulting sessions, carriage driving, and private lessons.
YELA Awards
The Young Equestrian Leaders Award has also proved popular with our young volunteers, and 7 have signed up for the Bronze award so far.
Horse news
Over the last few weeks we have waved goodbye to Tino and Haggis, now retired from their RDA careers. Both will be missed by staff, volunters and riders. We have also welcomed new horses Ritchie and Pedro, who are proving to be well suited to their new roles and have made lots of new friends. already.
Volunteers
Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who help us improve the lives of our riders, drivers and vaulters. We couldn’t do it without you. To find out more about volunteering at Bannockburn RDA, please contact the centre on 01786 813338.
BHS Approved Riding Establishment 2012
A Pony Club Centre 2012
Bannockburn RDA
The Sauchieburn Centre
Sauchieburn Estate
Bannockburn
Stirling
FK7 9PZ
Telephone:
(01786) 813338
0845 241 1365 (Lo-call)
E-mail:
info@bannockburnrda.org.uk
Bannockburn Group of Riding for the Disabled (known as Bannockburn RDA) is a registered Scottish charity Number: SC004549 and Private Limited Company Number. SC339433
A Member Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving