I am delighted to tell you that Sandra, with help from Gemma and Jim, won the
Intermediate Class at the National Championships. In addition, she was also Class Champion having the lowest score in both Intermediate and Open Classes. Many congratulations to Sandra, who was driving single reins with Gemma up beside her and Hilary as headperson.
Along with Syb and Tony who accompanied Gemma and Hilary as volunteers, we had the added bonus and great delight of Kim’s presence. It was great to see her again and we were very thankful for her help and support (especially Gemma!).
It was an exciting time to be at the Championships as RDA was celebrating its 50th anniversary and Princess Anne was in attendance. The BBC programme, Countryfile, was also there interviewing HRH and Anita Ranhi handed out the rosettes to all the competitors. So Cherry Park might be on the telly in a couple of weeks’ time!
I am sure Sandra will join me in expressing gratitude to all at Cherry Park who were
involved in the process of getting her to the Championships and such a great result. From Gemma’s brilliant coaching to those volunteers who spent last Wednesday cleaning the carriage and harness and shampooing Jim, to our other disabled drivers who have uncomplainingly foregone some of their drives and to those who gave up two days of their time to attend the event with us, we say a huge thank you. Not to mention our star pony, Jim, who didn’t put a hoof wrong for the entire time. Was there ever a better or more loved pony?
“Dear All,
I am absolutely thrilled with my result at the RDA Nationals last Friday. Not only did I win my class but won an extra rosette and medal for achieving the lowest number of penalties in the classes. As it was the 50th Anniversary of the RDA, special pony hampers were given out to winners which contained items for use on the ponies, so I hope the fly spray comes in handy for dear Jim this summer!
I just want to say a really big “thank you” to the whole Group for helping me to achieve all this. It would not be possible without the entire back-up and support that I have received. I have to say that dear Jim looked absolutely superb last Friday. He was looking really fit and healthy (thank you Lesley!) and he was very shiny from his Wednesday bath and along with this, the harness and carriage were spotless. Gemma had woven blue wool into his plaited mane and the whole outfit matched (dark and light blue) and was smart. We managed a mark of “9″ on the turn-out. We received lots of comments about what a lovely pony Jim is (which we all know already!) and he seemed to have many admirers! We commented that he looked like a small thoroughbred!
I look forward to seeing you all soon and hope to be there on Wednesday for a chat and a cup of tea.
In the meantime, once again, thank you to everyone.
Best wishes,
Sandra xx”
Royal Celebrations For RDA
People’s Postcode Lottery welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in celebration of 50 years of Riding for the Disabled Association. See the report here.
