RDA Groups successes at UK Virtual National Championships

THREE Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Groups from Northern Ireland took part in the UK wide Virtual National Championships competition at the end of October and produced some very creditable results, considering the number of entries and the quality of the competition.

Newtownards also entered the musical ride competition with four riders and placed eighth and one of their horses, ‘Charlie’, belonging to Birr House Equestrian Centre, won a prize for being the commentator’s favourite horse, which delighted everyone!

Congratulations to everyone who took part, and to their coaches and all the volunteers who contributed to their success. The beauty of this competition is that it gives riders the opportunity to compete in a national competition at a high level, without the expense and difficulty of travelling across the Irish Sea. It’s open to everyone who is a member of an RDA Group and the Grades used are the same as in Para Equestrian competition, which makes it as fair as possible.

RESULTS

Virtual National Championships

Naomi Elkin, Omagh, Grade 4 Dressage Senior Canter – 1st

Sophie Little, Omagh, Grade 4 Dressage Junior W&T – 4th

Cian Arthur, Omagh, Grade 6 Dressage Canter Junior – 1st

James Christie, Coleraine Grade 7 Dressage Senior – 8th

Alesha McCrossan, Omagh, Dressage Led W&T Junior – 3rd

Naomi Elkin, Omagh, Grade 6 Freestyle Dressage – 3rd

Austen Burns, Omagh/ Newtownards, Grade 1 Dressage Senior – 1st

Marianne Larkin, Coleraine, Grade 7 W&T Senior Dressage – =14th

Eva Millar, Coleraine, Grade 7 W&T Senior Dressage – 22nd

Saoirse Gilroy, Omagh, Led Walk Dressage Junior – 3rd

Victoria Dolan, Omagh, Led Walk Dressage Senior – 11th

Josie Henly, Newtownards, Countryside Challenge Senior – 1st

Katie Frazer, Newtownards, Countryside Challenge Senior – 2nd

Bobby McAlister, Newtownards, Countryside Challenge Senior Independent – 2nd

Grace Daly, Newtownards, Countryside Challenge Senior Independent – 11th

Marianne Larkin, Coleraine, Level 2 Show Jumping Senior – 1st

James Christie, Coleraine, Level 2 Show Jumping Senior – 3rd