ELEVEN QUALIFY FOR TEAM UNICORN

Eleven riders at the Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre at Hemlington near Middlesbrough are celebrating after qualifying to compete at the RDA National Championships this summer.

They’ll all be competing in showjumping, dressage or the Countryside Challenge at the RDA National Championships in Hartpury, Gloucestershire on 17-19 July.

Riders who qualified for the dressage finals are Cheryl Clark on Louistic de Sei (her first time competing in the competition), Emma Woods also on Louistic de Sei and Tamara Ullyart on Izzy.

Also qualifying in dressage were former Diploma student Jamie Gargett riding his employer’s horse and Anna Chadfield  and Megan Wilcox on their own ponies.  Our only showjumping qualifier was Callum Martin riding a borrowed pony Blue.

The Countryside Challenge qualifers are Lynn Harrison on Angus, Paul Conway, a past RDA Gala Award and Northern Echo Local Hero Award winner, on Louistic de Sei, Kate Telford on Murphy II who has been before to Hartpury and Kelly McKie on Noah, one of the Centre’s Diploma Students.  This year the challenging course was constructed by Teesside University’s External Relations Team

Diploma student Kelly McKie said, “I still can’t believe it, it’s like a dream. Noah performed perfectly and I hope we’ll be able to do as well at the Championships. I can’t wait to go!”

The Unicorn Centre is organising a huge team to accompany the riders and the three horses including coaches and staff as well as students and volunteers.  Even though the horse transport has been donated, the cost of accommodation, entry fees and equipment and clothing will cost at least another £1,000

Centre Manager Claire Pitt said, “This is the eleventh consecutive year that we’ve had riders qualify for the National Championships, and we’re so proud of their achievements.  It would be great if we could find some funding to help our young people in their desire to succeed.  They are training so hard and really want to go to the Championships.”

She continued, “The problem is, the Centre doesn’t get any financial support, so if we can’t find sponsors for the riders, we are facing the appalling possibility of our qualifiers not being able to attend this world status event.

Donations for the Unicorn Centre team can be made direct to the Unicorn Centre by calling 01642 576222 or by visiting their BTMyDonate page at https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/rdaunicorncentre