Local RDA riders excel at Hartpury
RDA Riders from Omagh and Newtownards Groups make local groups proud at National Championships
Two RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Groups from Northern Ireland travelled to represent the organisation at the RDA National Championships, held annually at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire in July.
This year, there were three riders from Newtownards and eight from Omagh, which might be a record number, all of whom will have qualified to compete in their various disciplines at the Regional Qualifier in May. They all performed with great credit to themselves and their Groups and special mention must go to the Newtownards riders, who were on borrowed horses with often only a short time available to get acquainted.
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Friday began with some excellent results from Omagh riders, Brooke and Alesha McCrossan and Chantelle Fox in Showing and Countryside Challenge Classes (see results below).
Saturday was dressage day for many of them and the only Show Jumping competitor, Bobby McAlister from Newtownards, achieved a creditable sixth place in his class. Dressage results of note included Alesha McCrossan, Thea Dorman and Saorise Gilroy placing second, third and fourth in their respective Freestyle classes and all of the riders achieved excellent scores in some highly competitive classes.
Thea, Sophie Givans and Katie Boothe were all competing at the championships for the first time, so it is hoped that they enjoyed themselves and will be back again next year. It should also be mentioned here that Judy Wood’s painting was placed second in the Arts and Crafts competition.
Sunday was a red letter day, with Naomi Elkin from Omagh winning her Grade 4 dressage and freestyle classes, thus becoming Class Champion - well done Naomi! This was followed up by Josie Henly from Newtownards winning her Countryside Challenge Class and Bobby McAlister placing second in his Dressage Freestyle class.
Of course, none of these successes would be possible without all the hard work put in by Coaches and Volunteers, the wonderful horses and, of course, the generous sponsors.
Omagh would like to thank Greenvale Horse Transport for providing a professional service, which ensured their horses had a safe and comfortable journey and MAC engineering for helping to cover the cost of transporting four horses: Apollo, Stevie, Blossom and Clover, the latter being kindly lent by Lucinda Blakiston-Houston. Thanks are also due to Anne Patterson at Omagh Equestrian and Omagh High School for their help with fundraising, and to Aldertree Equine, Hobbyhorse NI, Mountfield Kitchens, Smile Equestrian, Mr B Alexander and Sheath Hygienist Ulster for all their help and to Boyd Bedding and Coote Engineering for their continued support.
The RDA National Championships are a prestigious event and the standard of competition continues to rise, so RDA NI are justifiably proud of these riders’ achievements on the national stage. Well done everyone.
At this stage, it is appropriate to wish good luck to ex-RDA Rider, Austen Burns, who will shortly be competing in the Paralympic Dressage Competition in Paris, on behalf of the country of his birth, which was Canada.
Austen rode for many years with Newtownards Group and has competed successfully many times at the Championships representing them and Omagh Group, where he moved to avail of more advanced training.
“I am sure he will do us proud at the Olympics, even if he is competing under a different flag! Good luck, Austen… we are all cheering you on!” said Julie Frazer on behalf of RDA NI.
RESULTS
RDA National Championships at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire
Friday
Brooke McCrossan, Omagh - Showing - 6th in Junior class
Brooke McCrossan, Omagh - Countryside Challenge Led/SW - score 67 - 8th in Junior class
Chantelle Fox, Omagh - Countryside Challenge Led/SW - score 65 - 5th in Senior class
Alesha McCrossan, Omagh - Countryside Challenge Ind - score 79.5 - 3rd in Junior class
Saturday
Brooke McCrossan, Omagh - Led Dressage Walk - score 70 - 6th in Junior class
Sophie Givans, Omagh - Led Dressage Walk - score 66.6 - 10th in Junior class
Josie Henly, Newtownards - Led Dressage Walk - score 65.7 - 10th in Senior class
Chantelle Fox, Omagh - Led Dressage Walk - score 65.4 - 11th in Senior class
Bobby McAlister, Newtownards - Show Jumping L 2 - score 68.5 - 6th in Senior class
Alesha McCrossan, Omagh - Dressage Grd 6 Freestyle - score 70.5 - 2nd in Junior class
Saorise Gilroy, Omagh - Dressage Grd 6 Freestyle - score 66.5 - 4th in Junior class
Thea Dorman, Omagh - Dressage Grd 6 Freestyle - score 57.5 - 3rd in Senior class
Alesha McCrossan, Omagh - Dressage Grade 6 W&T - score 67.5 - 10th in Junior class
Saorise Gilroy, Omagh - Dressage Grade 6 W&T - score 67.2 - 11th in Junior class
Thea Dorman, Omagh - Dressage Grade 6 W&T - score 65.8 - 14th in Senior class
Grace Daly, Newtownards - Countryside Challenge Led/SW - score 78.25 - 8th in Senior class
Katie Boothe, Omagh - Countryside Challenge Led/SW - score 64.25 - 18th in Junior class
Judy Wood, Newtownards - Painting and Drawing - 2nd in Senior class
Sunday
Naomi Elkin, Omagh - Dressage Freestyle GRD 4 - score 62 - 1st in Senior class
Naomi Elkin, Omagh - Dressage Grade 4 - score 69.5 - 1st in Senior class
Josie Henly, Newtownards - Countryside Challenge Led+SW - score 77.5 - 1st in Senior class
Bobby McAlister, Newtownards - Countryside Challenge Ind - score 82.25 - 6th in Senior class
Bobby McAlister, Newtownards - Dressage Grade7 Freestyle - score 67.75 - 2nd in Senior class
Grace Daly, Newtownards - Dressage Grade 7 W&T - score 62.38 - 17th in Senior class
