
Participant of the Year Award

"In recognition of her enthusiasm and delight in riding as well as her interest & encouragement of others"
Zia Hussein
After being on the waiting list for over a year Zia was delighted to take up a cancellation space in October 2019 and accepted a permanent place a month later. Zia was in her final year of university when multiple sclerosis was diagnosed. She said it "stole my independence, my mobility and my confidence" Now she walks with great difficulty, with two sticks and uses a wheelchair. Our hydraulic lift was ideal for mounting. Balance in the saddle was difficult for Zia as her core muscle strength was extremely poor and both legs were weak, especially the right one. We needed two side walkers and a volunteer walking behind to continuously check her position, because her whole body swung from side to side as the horse moved. There was a concern that we might not be able to help her. Yet she enjoyed this first lesson so much, and promised that she would practise the exercises given to her to do at home, we felt we should persevere.
Just as we were beginning to see improvements Covid struck and Zia was upset that riding had to stop.
Once we were allowed to have independent riders with one bubble member or carer, we brought Zia back for a trial,and using her carer husband on the hydraulic platform and then as a side walker, we decided it was safe. She had been doing her home exercises and was so delighted to be back. Her smile made us all feel better.
Despite the gaps in lessons because of the lockdowns, Zia made incredible progress. Her side tilting disappeared and she managed a beautifully balanced sitting trot (led). She bought a small mechanical saddle on which to practise her exercises at home. It was Zia’s enthusiasm and her delight in riding, her interest and encouragement to other riders that impressed us all. Zia picks up with gratitude any rider cancellations that appear, often at the last minute.
Here are her words: "It was a fantastic feeling, going from 3ft off the ground to 7ft. My posture is now positive and erect (impressing my physiotherapist) and I have good balance. My overall confidence is boosted and I come away with a feeling of accomplishment and achievement. When I am riding I am free!" No wonder Zia makes us all feel proud.
Volunteer of the Year Award

"In recognition for her tireless dedication"
Ruby Grimshaw
Ruby joined Mid Sussex RDA in 2011 as an already very experienced BHSAI Coach and soon became a RDA Coach. She has also been our Chair for the last 6 years.
Ruby works tirelessly for the benefit of the Group in and out of hours. She was a tower of strength during COVID, arranging weekly Zoom Meetings to keep everyone in touch and working very hard when it was time to return, getting riders and volunteers organised, along with all the required extra paperwork and making sure everyone knew what was required of them under very difficult circumstances. We were one of the first Groups to return.
Recently she oversaw the purchase of a new horse (William) for our Group, taking almost sole responsibility for the purchase and subsequent arrangements and necessary checks and paperwork involved in what was quite a huge step for us as a Group.
She really is the best Coach and the riders (and volunteers) all enjoy her lessons and she always keeps everyone on their toes whilst also injecting her own form of humour into her coaching.
Sapphire Long Service Award

"In recognition of 45 years with RDA."
Jenny was one of the first members of the Mid Sussex RDA and helped to set it up in the late '60s. She was the cornerstone of the group, calm and dependable, always dispensing practical advice and very knowledgeable about horses and their welfare.
Jenny has been coaching all this time since then and so helpful and kind to newcomers. Jenny has a wonderful sense of humour and is a delight to have around.
Although she has decided to step back from coaching now it is a relief to our group that she will stay on as a volunteer. It is so reassuring to know there is someone with such experience and knowledge watching our backs. She never misses a trick!