RDA NW Regional Conference and Awards Day 2024

The Region were delighted to hold the NW Regional Conference and Awards Day on Monday 28 October at Reaseheath College Equestrian Centre, which is also the fabulous home of Nantwich & District RDA. 

A great day was had with groups, who travelled from across the North West Region, enjoying interesting demonstrations and workshops.  The morning session included a presentation by BD, Para and RDA judge Sandra Edwards on NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and how this relates to what we do as well as a demonstration of riding a dressage test.  

The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Clare Hayward, MBE. DL., kindly presented long service awards to dedicated volunteers from our member groups.  Volunteers from the Regional Committee also received awards - our Regional Coach, Gill Maddock for 15 years, Jen Hoggarth (Merseyside County Chair) for 25 years, Tania Coventry (Regional Publicity Officer) for 25 years, Glenny Richardson (Regional Secretary) for 35 years and Jeanette & Barrie Dixon (Regional Dressage and Training Reps) for 40 years. Sheila Saner, our Regional Chair, was presented with a High Sheriff’s award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to RDA.  Sandra Edwards was also presented with a thank you from the High Sheriff.  

Everyone attended one of two workshops. One group listened to Megan Holland's informative presentation titled "Supporting participants with communication and sensory differences".  The other group of attendees watched a riding simulator and hoist demonstration kindly given by volunteers from Nantwich & District RDA Group and then engaged in a question and answer session with members of our Regional Committee where some interesting topics were discussed.

After a break for lunch, our afternoon session began with a great demonstration by classical rider and trainer, Charlotte Wittbom, on ground work to help our RDA ponies before their usual sessions.  The audience was invited to come into the arena and take part by practising moving their human partner around, which definitely caused a few laughs!

The day was rounded off with an inspriring demonstration by Katie Reilly, who is a local Dressage Para-Rider, with two of her stunning horses.  Katie's Mum, Karen, explained how Katie works in with the help of her trainer and the dedication put in to help Katie progress.  Katie started her career as an 11 year old riding on the lead rein with Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, Greater Manchester, and now, at only 17, is a Para rider competing internationally for Ireland as well as in the UK where she is the current Para Gold national champion.   

The Regional Committee thank Nantwich & District RDA for hosting the event and all those who took part and volunteers who helped make the day such a success. It was really lovely to see everyone.