Local RDA riders in the ribbons at National finals
16 Jul 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Local riders who train at Pegasus Riding For the Disabled Centre in Morpeth competed at the national finals in Gloucestershire at the weekend, bringing back home with them rosettes, trophies and lots of happy memories.
Fourteen riders from the centre qualified to compete at the event at Hartpury College and travelled down south on Thursday with the horses, coaches, volunteers, family and friends to take part in the event over 3 days.
The national championships is the RDA’s flagship event which brings together hundreds of competitors from across the UK to compete in events including carriage driving, countryside challenge, dressage, showjumping, vaulting and showing.
Riders Joshua Benkhoeeb-Housie and Mason Shield Graham came home as National Champions. There were also two 2nd places, two 3rd places, two 5th places and one 7th place with other riders being just out of the running but performing to an amazing standard. The competition was steep with up to 25 riders in a class so Morpeth RDA Group and the Pegasus Centre did the Northern Region proud.
Mark Tweedie, chief executive of Active Northumberland said:
“ The ethos of the event was to take part and to try your very best. We were all incredibly proud at how well our riders, and horses performed. I know how excited the riders were to be taking part and it was a fantastic and memorable experience for everyone involved.”
Active Northumberland manages leisure services across the county, including The Pegasus Centre in partnership with the The Morpeth Riding For The Disabled Group. This group is a registered charity that gives people with special needs and disabilities a chance to develop their abilities and enrich their lives through riding specially trained ponies.
Over 300 riders aged between 4 to 67 use the centre each week, travelling from all over the county and even Tyneside to attend.
Pictured:
Kaitlyn Venuse on Baz with Emily Dougal leading