Having qualified at regional events earlier in the year, the riders, volunteers and horses were able to compete having received a travel grant thanks to a generous donation from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
“It was a fantastic experience for Team Unicorn,” said Yard Manager, Christie Beedle, who led the team. “The RDA National Championships brings riders and carriage drivers together from all over the UK and it was a really special weekend. We all found the heat very tiring, but everyone coped well and the horses didn’t put a foot wrong.
She continued, “We’re immensely proud of our riders’ achievements and the way they represented the Unicorn Centre at this national event. I’m so grateful for the support of their families, friends and the staff and volunteers from the Centre – they all did a brilliant job.”
Thirteen riders from Team Unicorn competed at the Championships in dressage, show jumping or in the Countryside Challenge on Centre ponies Lily, Thunder and Louie. They all performed beyond expectation achieving six first places, six third places and three fourth places. Two members of staff and five volunteers accompanied the riders, including competitor Callum Martin who achieved thirds in the Countryside Challenge and the Pairs Dressage.
Rachael Senguendo was the overall senior Countryside Challenge Champion riding Thunder. Rachel, aged 46 started riding with the Gt Ayton & District RDA Group in the eighties as a teenager, and after a twenty-year gap returned to riding at the Unicorn Centre with renewed enthusiasm. She said, “I’ve really missed riding, and never expected to qualify for the Championships so soon after starting again. And to become a Champion this year is just amazing”.
The National Championships, organised by the charity Riding for the Disabled Association is the biggest event of its kind in the world, bringing together hundreds of disabled competitors who have qualified to take part, with over 90 classes taking place over the three days. In the past, the event has provided a springboard for Paralympian’s including Sophie Christiansen, Natasha Baker and Lee Pearson – all of whom started their careers with the support of RDA.
Photo: Unicorn Centre Volunteer Callum Martin and Cheryl Clark respectively riding Lily and Louie coming 3rd in the Pairs dressage
RESULTS:
RDA Show-jumping Level 2 Senior:
Cheryl Clark on Lily Delight – 1ST
Lucy Akbudak on Louistic de Sie – 3RD
Countryside Challenge Junior:
Rhys Lidster on Louistic de Sie – 1ST (Led or 1 Side-Walker Class)
Adam Allinson on Louistic de Sie – 1ST (Independent Class)
Countryside Challenge Senior:
Rachael Senguendo on Thunder – 1ST (Overall Champion – Led with 1 Side-Walker class)
Anthony Sinderson on Thunder – 3RD (VI class)
Gavin Beaty on Thunder – 3RD (Led or 1 Side-Walker class)
Callum Martin on Lily Delight– 3RD (Independent Class)
Dressage Classes Junior:
Laura Curson on Louistic de Sie - Grade 1-6 (Walk & Trot) - 1st
Laura Curson on Louistic de Sie - Grade 1-6 Freestyle (Walk & Trot) – 1ST
Kiera Atkinson on Lily Delight – Walk & Trot (Led) – 4TH
Dressage Classes Senior:
Emily Kelly on Lily Delight –– Grade 1-6 (Walk & Trot) 8TH
Emily Kelly on Lily Delight - Grade 1-6 Freestyle (Walk & Trot) – 4TH
Lucy Akbudak on Thunder – ID Walk/Trot – 5TH
Lucy Akbudak on Thunder – Freestyle ID Walk/Trot – 3RD
Cass O’Brien on Thunder – Grade 1-6 –– 7TH
Katie Grey on her own Brackenthwaite Rio – Grade 1-6 (Canter) – 12TH
Katie Grey on her own Brackenthwaite Rio – Grade 1-6 Freestyle (Canter) – 5TH
Rachael Senguendo on Thunder – Costume Freestyle to Music - 5TH
Pairs Dressage:
Cheryl Clark on Lily Delight & Callum Martin on Louistic de Sie – 3RD
Laura Curson on Thunder & Adam Allinson on Lily Delight – 4TH
23.07.18
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