We are delighted to say we are back riding at the Mid Sussex RDA group.
We are continuing to ensure the appropriate precautions are in place to ensure a safe environment. For the time being we are operating at a slightly reduced capacity coaching independent riders. We will keep reviewing the situation and hope that it is not too long before all our riders are back in the saddle. Please use the contact form to get in touch. |
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Looking back at 2020 |
The year 2020 has been very a disappointing and frustrating one for the Mid Sussex RDA, as it has been for so many people. On 13th March we closed our group because of the threat of the Covid 19 virus. During lockdown it was considered important that we should keep all our volunteers and coaches aware of what was happening with our group, so regular Zoom meetings were held. These became times when our members could keep in touch and share news with each other. We also held our Plant Sale on line, which produced funds of over £900.
Later in the year RDA headquarters set out the rules and regulations regarding Covid and keeping safe. These were needed to be in place if we wanted to reopen our group. Several volunteers were vulnerable or were self isolating and felt unable to return, but many were keen to get back to work with the horses and riders. Intense training days were held at Chestnuts in order for us all to learn the new ways of working so that everybody, riders and volunteers, would be safe when we returned.
We received a lot helpful information and encouragement from RDA Headquarters and on 4th August were able to reopen when we welcomed back a single excited rider. Social distancing meant that a rider needed to be independent and could only have one side walker, who had to be the carer, parent or in their bubble. One piece of good news at this time was that Caroline, one of our volunteers, had decided to start her training to become a coach.
We managed to get back seven delighted riders before we received the depressing news in November of a new lockdown. Our hopes of returning in the New Year on January 5th were also dashed. However, we eventually restarted in March and now have twelve riders. Let`s hope that 2021 is going to be a wonderful year for the Mid Sussex. I think we all deserve it!
Later in the year RDA headquarters set out the rules and regulations regarding Covid and keeping safe. These were needed to be in place if we wanted to reopen our group. Several volunteers were vulnerable or were self isolating and felt unable to return, but many were keen to get back to work with the horses and riders. Intense training days were held at Chestnuts in order for us all to learn the new ways of working so that everybody, riders and volunteers, would be safe when we returned.
We received a lot helpful information and encouragement from RDA Headquarters and on 4th August were able to reopen when we welcomed back a single excited rider. Social distancing meant that a rider needed to be independent and could only have one side walker, who had to be the carer, parent or in their bubble. One piece of good news at this time was that Caroline, one of our volunteers, had decided to start her training to become a coach.
We managed to get back seven delighted riders before we received the depressing news in November of a new lockdown. Our hopes of returning in the New Year on January 5th were also dashed. However, we eventually restarted in March and now have twelve riders. Let`s hope that 2021 is going to be a wonderful year for the Mid Sussex. I think we all deserve it!
Looking back at 2019
The last year has been a busy one for Mid Sussex RDA. In April our Annual Plant and Cake Sale at Warninglid, run by Sue Ball one of our riders, raised nearly £900 for our funds. (This year it will be held on April 25th in Warninglid Village Hall).
Our 50th Anniversary on June 20th was a huge success, largely due to the work and enthusiasm of all our volunteers. Adults and children rode in musical games and all were presented with rosettes by the Mayor, Councillor Alex Phillips. Presentations were made to our founder member, Judy Case, to our Treasurer, Martin Widdowson and to the owners of Chestnuts, Sue and Richard Hazelden, who have given our group so much help and support over the last eight years.
Social events last year included an interesting visit to Bradbourne Equestrian Centre, a tour of Bolney Vineyard, the chairman's tea party and two coffee mornings at Rushfields Garden Centre. We also introduced a one and a half hour`s hack for volunteers after the session on Thursday and these rides proved very popular. Christmas was celebrated by a lovely lunch at the Bolney Stage.
Three new instructors passed their assessments during 2019, so as we now have five coaches and a full quota of volunteers we hope to extend our riding hours by adding another session on Tuesday afternoon. This is very exciting. We are looking forward to having another busy year with our riders and horses, but we can't do it all without our wonderful team of hard working volunteers.
Our 50th Anniversary on June 20th was a huge success, largely due to the work and enthusiasm of all our volunteers. Adults and children rode in musical games and all were presented with rosettes by the Mayor, Councillor Alex Phillips. Presentations were made to our founder member, Judy Case, to our Treasurer, Martin Widdowson and to the owners of Chestnuts, Sue and Richard Hazelden, who have given our group so much help and support over the last eight years.
Social events last year included an interesting visit to Bradbourne Equestrian Centre, a tour of Bolney Vineyard, the chairman's tea party and two coffee mornings at Rushfields Garden Centre. We also introduced a one and a half hour`s hack for volunteers after the session on Thursday and these rides proved very popular. Christmas was celebrated by a lovely lunch at the Bolney Stage.
Three new instructors passed their assessments during 2019, so as we now have five coaches and a full quota of volunteers we hope to extend our riding hours by adding another session on Tuesday afternoon. This is very exciting. We are looking forward to having another busy year with our riders and horses, but we can't do it all without our wonderful team of hard working volunteers.
Ruby Grimshaw, Chairman, February 2020
2019 Volunteer's Summer Events
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Bolney Wine Tour
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Chairman's Tea Party
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50th Anniversary Celebration at Chestnuts Riding School
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On the 20th June 2019 the Mid Sussex RDA spent a wonderful Fun Day celebrating their 50th Anniversary at Chestnuts Riding School in Pyecombe, just outside Brighton. The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, MEP, Councillor Alex Phillips attended.
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Children from 3 local special schools, Hill Park, Woodlands Meed and Downs View showed their riding skills by trotting, performing exercises and playing musical games. The Mayor presented each one with a certificate and 2 rosettes.
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An original Founder member, and still a serving member, Judy Case, was given a special award for her 50 years Service while Sally Yonge, Rosie Naillard and Martin Widdowson were presented with individual Endeavour Awards by the Mayor for their work for the Mid Sussex. Finally the proprietors of Chestnuts Riding School were thanked by the Chairman Ruby Grimshaw for all the support they had given over the last 8 years to the Mid Sussex Group. They always supplied the group with gentle suitable horses and ponies, and gave their unstinted support.
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After a splendid lunch The Mayor cut the special 50th Birthday cake before she had to leave. She said that it had been a wonderful experience and she had been impressed by the warmth and enthusiasm shown by all the riders and volunteers.
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In the afternoon, 3 adult disabled riders from the Tuesday riding session, plus a carer who had not ridden before, took part in a general class. All were given certificates and rosettes.
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It was a very happy day for everybody. A splendid way to celebrate 50 years of continual service by the Mid Sussex RDA.
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Sue's Plant Sale
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£ 883 Goodness that's alot of plants.
Thanks to all who made it along to Sue's plant sale in April. |
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April 2019, Waitrose, Burgess Hill
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Remembrance Plaque
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Helen is one of our Tuesday riders who made and presented the volunteers with this wonderful plaque given in honour of Ted.
March 2019
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Goodbye Super Ted
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It is with great sadness that we have to announce that we have had to say goodbye to our wonderful horse Ted. He had been very ill since the end of last year, and it became clear the kindest thing we could do for him was to let him go.
Ted has given a lot of joy to many riders over the years, including the many adults and children who rode him at the Mid Sussex RDA. He was always a sweet-natured gentle horse and never put a hoof wrong. He will be so missed. Rest in peace dear Ted. January 2019
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Birthday Rosettes
Happy Birthday Megan
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AwardSam started with us in 2013 aged 22 as a complete non rider after recovering from cancer. By 2016 he had improved so much he was able to hack out with another RDA rider at a riding school on Ashdown Forest.
He won the Regional Participant of the Year Award, the Titan Award, in 2017 for his courage & determination. |
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Sponsored Bike Ride by Kath Tarrant
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"Congratulations to Kath Tarrant of East View Riding Stables who completed a Sponsored Bike Ride (215 Miles) on our behalf and raised the princely sum of £759. We now have our renovated Hydraulic Lift back and this money will very gratefully go towards the cost of the repair. We now have the necessary LOLER Certificate meaning the lift passes all the rules for equipment of that nature.
Yippee!" |
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Spring 2018
Our riders enjoying the outside school in Spring.
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Reinstatement of our hydraulic lift.
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