Having qualified at regional events earlier in the year, they were able to compete having received a travel grant thanks to donations from local people and the People’s Postcode Lottery.
“It was a fantastic experience for Team Unicorn,” said Deputy Yard Manager, Kim Horsley, 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. And the weather behaved beautifully too!
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. Our fantastic horses didn’t put a hoof wrong either!”
Eleven riders from Team Unicorn competed at the Championships in dressage or in the Countryside Challenge on Centre ponies Lily, Thunder and Louie. They all performed beyond expectation achieving two first places for Abbie Maddison on Louie and Ian Wilkinson on Thunder, three second places and two fourth places.
Mum Laura Forbes, and a former student and Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Centre came 4th in the Championship Canter class and fifth in the freestyle. She said, “It was a brilliant weekend, and I was so proud to represent the Centre. Lily was in great form and performed out of her socks!”
Nicole Calvert, who is a Supported Volunteer at the Centre, rode at the Championships for the first time. She came 11th on Thunder in the Countryside Challenge competition, after only starting riding a few months ago. “I loved riding Thunder at the Championships, and I wasn’t nervous at all.” she said. “I can’t believe I’ve come 11th in the whole wide world!”
It was a very special weekend too for one of the Trustees of the Unicorn Centre, Judy Preston, who was awarded the President’s Award by HRH The Princess Royal, for her dedication and commitment to RDA over the past 30 years. The award came as a complete surprise to her, but the Centre’s Chair of Trustees Jackie Rubin said, “It was a no-brainer to nominate Judy for this award. She puts her life and soul into supporting RDA – we think she has RDA running through her veins like a stick of rock!”
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.
For further information contact Claire Pitt, Centre Manager, on 01642 576222
Photos: Laura Forbes riding Lily Delight in the Championship Canter Class; Nicole Calvert (led) riding Thunder in the Countryside Challenge, Deputy Yard Manager Kim Horsley congratulating Thunder and Trustee Judy Preston receiving the President’s Award from HRH The Princess Royal.
RESULTS:
Ella Cosgrave on Lily Delight - Class 34 (Test 4): 11th
Rachel Sendengo onThunder - Countryside Challenge – Class 81: 2nd
Oliver Tierney on Louistic De Sie – Class 31 Grade 6 championship test: 4th (freestyle class 43: 2nd)
Nicole Calvert on Thunder – Countryside challenge class 48: 11th
Laura Forbes on Lily Delight – Class 32 Grade 6 championship canter: 4th & class 44 freestyle:5th
Felicity Heard on RSPCA Gromit (kindly loaned from Stokesley RDA) – Countryside Challenge Class 50: 9th
Kiera Atkinson on Louiestic De Sie – Class 73 (I/D walk trot): 11th
Ian Wilkinson on Thunder – Class 81 Countryside challenge: 1ST PLACE
Abbie Maddison on Louistic De Sie – Class 73 (I/D walk trot): 1ST PLACE & freestyle: 2nd
Cass Obrien on Thunder – Class 31 Grade 6 championship: 9th and freestyle: 5th
Adam Allinson on Countryside Challenge Independent Class: 6th
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