Registered Charity No SC002041 Chairman`s Message The achievements of our riders at the Regional Dressage Competition on 7 th June reflect the success that is often achieved at Sandyflat. Congratulations to all of our riders who receive a rosette before the end of term; they have each made progress in their own individual ways. With the introduction of the Tracker System we are able to record the improvements which our riders make not only in their riding but also in the resulting enjoyment, heightened confidence, improved communication, better relationships and physical improvements. We know all of this and we need to tell the world! Instructors (coaches), parents, teachers, volunteers and carers may all be involved in this assessment of the rider. The Board of Management endorses the Tracker System and urges that permission is given as soon as possible for all our riders to be assessed in this way. Many people are involved with RDA Glasgow. Whether you are a member of staff, a volunteer or a donor, I thank you for the part you play in keeping the `show on the road`. There have been changes in members of staff. I welcome Elizabeth McCready to her position as Fundraiser and
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Registered Charity No SC002041
Chairman`s Message
The achievements of our riders at the Regional Dressage Competition on 7 th June reflect the success that is often achieved at Sandyflat. Congratulations to all of our riders who receive a rosette before the end of term; they have each made progress in their own individual ways.
With the introduction of the Tracker System we are able to record the improvements which our riders make not only in their riding but also in the resulting enjoyment, heightened confidence, improved communication, better relationships and physical improvements. We know all of this and we need to tell the world! Instructors (coaches), parents, teachers, volunteers and carers may all be involved in this assessment of the rider. The Board of Management endorses the Tracker System and urges that permission is given as soon as possible for all our riders to be assessed in this way.
Many people are involved with RDA Glasgow. Whether you are a member of staff, a volunteer or a donor, I thank you for the part you play in keeping the `show on the road`. There have been changes in members of staff. I welcome Elizabeth McCready to her position as Fundraiser and Barbara Walker and Eileen Joyce to work in the yard and hope they will be happy as part of the team.
We have been lucky with such a sunny spell of weather which has meant that our riders have been able to enjoy riding out of doors. We hope that this fine weather will continue and that you will all be able to enjoy the summer break.
I thank everyone involved with RDA Glasgow GroupWith best wishes, John Paton (Chairman)
Regional Dressage Day
Aiden Fox-Flynn, one of our Saturday morning riders, was riding Precious. This was his first time competing. He enjoyed the experience so much that he asked if he could do it again! He was first in Tack and Turnout with Gordon, 2nd in Dressage and 5th in the Countryside Challenge. Well done Aiden.
Gordon Macconnachie, one of our Tuesday evening riders, was also riding Precious. Gordon was 1st in Tack and Turnout, 2nd in the Countryside Challenge and 4th in his Dressage. Well done Gordon.
Jordan Crawford is one of our Wednesday evening riders and was riding Timmy. Jordan was new to Dressage and was over the moon receiving his Rosettes to add to his Grade 1 Riding & Stable Management. Well done Jordan.
Regional Dressage Day
Lauren (who rides on a Saturday morning) also had a very successful day riding Laddie all on her own for the first time in a competition – 2nd in her Dressage Class, winning the Countryside Challenge Intermediate class and the Bank of Scotland cup and to top it all, winning the Brian Peters Trophy for the top combined Dressage and Countryside Challenge score. Well done Lauren.
Rachel (who rides on a Tuesday evening) had a very successful day riding Hart. This was Rachel’s second time competing. Rachel was delighted to win Dressage, Countryside Challenge and was 2nd in Tack and Turnout. The excitement doesn’t end there - Rachel has been selected to compete in the Special Olympics 2017, where she is definitely a medal contender…So watch this space!!
Rachel and Hart preparing for the Tack and Turn out Class.
Congratulations Stephen & JordanWednesday Evening Riders
Jordan & Stephen recently passed their Grade 1 Riding & Stable Management tests. They've progressed so well with their riding & they're feeling really proud of their achievements. As their instructor I'm proud of them too. They turn up every week full of enthusiasm & are always up for a challenge.
Our Tuesday evening rider, Mary Jane McNally, achieved her
Grade 2 Riding & Horse Care. Now the aim is to complete the next stage, Grade 3, by the end of the year. Congratulations and
well done!!
We are bidding a fond farewell to Abdulaziz, our Thursday morning rider, from the class of Kelbourne Park School. Abdulaziz loves coming riding. He has benefitted in so many ways. He thinks it is just good fun but he really is working all his muscles so hard. Laddie has taught him how to respond to movement and how to shift his weight. He now finds moving and walking much easier. When he first came, he could not hold the reigns. Now he sits up and is in charge. He sets himself targets for trotting so many steps. Abdulaziz told us “When I return home to Saudi Arabia, I shall miss riding and spending time with Laddie, he has been a wonderful friend. Thank you Laddie”.
Well done Abdulaziz
A huge thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers
for their amazing support…THANK YOU!
Julie McKerracher says: I have been coming to RDA Glasgow Group for 27 years!! I was previously a rider but I now spend my time as a Volunteer. The thing I love most about volunteering here is not only the new people that I get to meet, but the staff are all so friendly and nice. I help out in the yard and prepare the horses for their classes. I am now able to lead the horses in classes and I love being able to do this. My favourite horse is Smudge. I was recently asked why I like him so much and it is because he seems grumpy with everyone else but not with me, he makes me smile and I am happy being around him. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t volunteering here at the stables. I know what it is like to be a young rider with the group and I hope that my experience helps the other riders too.
Anita Lowing’s Volunteer Story - I started volunteering three years ago for the Glasgow Riding for the Disabled Group and can honestly say that it’s the best thing I have ever done. I had a love for horses at a young age and have had the occasional riding lesson throughout my life, I have always worked with people but to find somewhere that combined both was the best thing ever! I arrived as a complete beginner one Sunday afternoon with Lynda inducting me on the basics of grooming, tacking up (very scary at the time!) and how to conduct myself around horses. I can honestly say I never thought I would have the confidence to help out around the yard but thanks to the skills and training from the staff and volunteers at the RDA I am very comfortable in dealing with all their amazing horses and ponies, (have I mentioned that I’m taking Bailey, Precious, Mr Coapley and Kora with me!).I have absolutely loved volunteering for the Saturday classes, all the riders (and their families and carers) in the three classes are such an amazing group of people and I am really going to miss them. I have loved watching the riders’ progress with their riding and I am very proud of the small part I have played. Riders achieving a wide variety of skills such as being able to tell their horses to ‘walk on’, being able to ride without a side walker or to participate in the many games we play at the end of the classes, (my favourite being ‘what’s the time Mr wolf’) has made it all so rewarding. One of my highlights of the three years is being asked by Linda to help out in the RDA Dressage and Countryside Challenge Competition, it was wonderful to be with Aiden when he competed as he and Precious were fantastic in their classes and it was lovely to see Lauren and Laddie show everyone the fabulous skills they had, they all did so well.I am moving to the north of Scotland next month and if I could take you all with me I would, what am I going to do with myself now every Saturday? I thank you all for the amazing experience of being part of the Glasgow RDA.You have installed a passion in horses and RDA that I’ll have for life and as a result I am going to volunteer with the RDA Highland Group. Thank you all and hopefully I’ll see you again when I’m back in Glasgow.
Farewell Anita and Thank You for all your support!
Corporate Volunteering@rdaglasgow
Also featured: (Hart, Oli and Mr Coapley)
We are extremely grateful to Morgan Stanley, Glasgow, who spent the day helping Gary with our heavy maintenance work.They did such a fantastic job helping re-lay part of our outdoor trail, moving logs, pruning and clearing ragwort from the field.Gary was particularly impressed with their spirit, teamwork and how much they actually achieved, especially in the heat.So thank you for agreeing to come to RDA Glasgow; your support enables us to provide a fun, safe environment for our riders with disabilities.
News from the YardThe Yard gained a ‘Highly
Commended’ Award from the British Horse Society. We are over the moon
at this achievement The work begins – Shifting 3 tonnes of Bulk Bark (kindly donated by JW Grant Builders Merchants)
The Tulliallan Trail looks like we are in the Country instead of an urban area. Our riders and volunteers enjoy going out on the trail.
Tony with Bailey
The Tracker System - We have a new National System to help the Instructors assess the Riders, called The Tracker System. All Riders will hopefully have received a New Riders Form and Permission Slip for the Tracker System. The System will Track several different topics, including: communication, confidence, enjoyment and relationships, which will give our coaches and volunteers a snap shot look
at how riders are developing. This ‘tool’ will not only assist the coaches but will also help with fundraising. Also it will allow schools/carers and families to know a little more about how the riders
are enjoying and benefitting from riding lessons. The best part is that all the riders will receive a printed Rosette showing the results.
Tony has been with RDA Glasgow Group since August 2014, after he was referred to us through his local job centre. Tony began his work placement in our yard; although at first unfamiliar with the equine scene, he quickly familiarised himself with the duties required of a yard assistant. In fact one of his first tasks was to learn how to bathe the horses. One of our horses ‘Laddie’ had a slight skin condition and it was Tony who gave him his daily medicated baths. As Tony tended to him he would neigh and fall asleep and quickly his condition improved. Such is Tony’s dedication to our Horses; he was soon employed as a part time member of staff. Tony’s commitment to our Glasgow Group is further acknowledged as his daily commute includes travelling on 2 buses for 11/2hrs just to get to work!Tony has two children, Tony and Lee and lives with his partner Natalie. Recently Tony decided to increase his hours and was successful in gaining additional part time employment, looking after horses on a farm. Of course the farm is the opposite side of the City, but that does not deter Tony as he likes the challenge of getting from A to B. When Tony is not working, he enjoys spending time with his children. They especially like going to soft play where Tony can relax a little whilst watching his children play. Tony is looking to the future and enjoys the responsibility of leading and side-walking our ponies during equine therapy classes. Tony’s favourite horse is Bailey, who he describes as being ‘cheeky’. For the coming year Tony aims to continue helping others improve their prospects and also hopes to save enough money to purchase a car, which will let him spend a little more time with his family.
WAITROSE MILNGAVIE We have been selected as part of their Community Matters Initiative
So drop your token into the RDA Glasgow Box when you shopNot long to go now – Only for the month of June 2016!!
Have a wonderful Summer Break and we look forward to welcoming you back in August
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe have been fortunate to receive recent support from the
following funders:
Peter Coats TrustCruden Foundation LtdGlasgow Kelvin CollegeDr Guthrie’s Association
The Mugdock Children’s TrustWestern Recreation Trust
2nd Bearden Brownie PackErnst & Young
Ms. Carolyn HarperMilngavie C.E. Café
Partick Royal Arch Chapter No.113Andy Scott
Ms Rhona ScottThanks also to: Black Horse, Summerston,
J W Grant Builders Merchants,Morgan Stanley Corporate Group
University of Glasgow School of Veterinary MedicineNumerous Anonymous Donors
New Autumn Term Dates School classes begin 22nd August
Individuals - varied from 8th August
Cheque Presentation Day - Thank you to the students of Glasgow Kelvin College who raised a magnificent £135. They upcycled old materials and made new photograph frames, which were then sold within the college. Your Entrepreneurship is much appreciated.
We raised a fantastic amount of £444.15 at the 56th Annual GUVMA Rodeo. Thank you to all who helped on the day. Our Hook a Duck was extremely popular.
