Avon Riding Club

07/02/2025

*Volunteers Needed*

Hello everyone,

We’re reaching out to see if anyone is available to lend a hand in the yard tomorrow from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Our yard staff could really use some extra support since the horses have been indoors all week, and there's quite a bit to tackle. While we typically have enough volunteers, we expect tomorrow to be a bit busier than usual.

Please note that we’re looking for pre-existing registered volunteers who have completed their induction training.
In order for the team to plan ahead, please can you inform [email protected] if you are willing to help and are not a usual Saturday volunteer.

Thank you so much for considering this—your help is greatly appreciated!
- Team ARC.

06/02/2025

Join us at The Avon Centre on the Equine Healing Talk with Heidi Kellerman on Tuesday 18/2/25 at 7pm.

All proceeds from the tickets will go directly to our charity that supports riding and other nature based activities for Disabled and disadvantaged.

Tickets are available on our website shop: https://www.theavoncentre.org.uk/shop-1
Equine Healing Partnership

Heidi Friday

Please share!

03/02/2025

🔔 March Lessons, Lesson Availability, Equestrian Business Awards 2025 and more... 🔔

03/02/2025 - Emailed to active riders.

————————————————————————

🏆 Equestrian Business Awards 🏆

The Equestrian Business Awards 2025 nominations are now open, and we are excited to seek your support for our charity. Recognition in these awards would not only elevate our visibility in the equestrian community but also honour the relentless dedication of our staff and volunteers. Our mission is vital and deserves to shine at this prestigious event.

We would be incredibly grateful if you could nominate us in the following categories, highlighting how our services have made a positive impact on you:

🎖️ Equine Service of the Year
➖ The Avon Centre as a Charity, Riding School, Events Centre, and Therapeutic Centre

🎖️ Charity of the Year
➖ The Avon Centre as the home of Avon RDA Group, Beyond the Gate, and Therapeutic Centre

🎖️ Riding School of the Year
➖ Avon Riding Club as the commercial riding school supporting Avon RDA Group

🎖️ Riding Instructor of the Year
➖ RDA and ARC instructors who go above and beyond for their riders

Nominations close in April, so please submit yours through the link below:
https://www.equestrianbusinessawards.co.uk/nominate
Thank you for your continued support!

————————————————————————

📊 Group 4 Lesson Membership 📊

We are pleased to announce that we have a few available spots for Group 4 riders interested in committing to a weekly session. If you find yourself often relying on cancellations or last-minute openings, consider joining our group lesson membership for a more consistent experience.

Availability:
- Tuesday at 18:30: 3 spots open
- Wednesday at 18:30: 3 spots open

Key Features of the Membership:
- Monthly fee: £30, billed automatically through an EC Pro subscription.
- Lessons are offered at full price.
- Each member will receive one designated slot per week at the same time.
- A total of four to five lessons guaranteed per month.
- Access to private scheduling for one week to secure your weekly slot.
- After one week, lessons will become available to the public for booking.
- Our Thursday 16:15 group lesson is always accessible to the public and can be reserved as an additional option if desired.
- There is no mandatory commitment required; block booking for the month is entirely optional.
- A lesson waiting list feature will remain in place.
- Should you need to cancel a lesson, you can do so up to 48 hours in advance to receive a credit.

For further inquiries or to secure your membership, please contact [email protected]

————————————————————————

📆 March Avon Riding Club Schedule 📆

I am pleased to announce that the March lesson schedule is now available for Group Lesson Members. Non-members will have the opportunity to access these lessons starting on the evening of February 10th.

Additionally, please remember to review our February Half Term program. We anticipate that spaces will fill up quickly in the coming weeks, so we encourage you to make your reservations soon to avoid disappointment.

————————————————————————

🐴 Lesson Spaces This Week 🐴

We currently have the following spaces available to book in lessons this week.

Tuesday 04/02 ● Spaces
16:00 – Group 3 ● 4
17:15 – Group 2 ● 1
18:30 – Group 4 ● 1

Wednesday 05/02 ● Spaces
17:15 – Group 3 ● 2
18:30 – Group 4 ● 2

Thursday 06/02 ● Spaces
13:00 – Group 3 ● 1
14:15 – Private ● Full
15:15 – Private ● Full
16:15 – Group 4 ● 3

Saturday 08/02 ● Spaces
09:15 – Group 1+ ● 1
10:30 – Private ● Full
10:30 – Group 2 ● 3
11:30 - Simulator ● Full
12:00 - Simulator ● Full
12:30 – Group 1 ● Full
12:45 – Group 4 ● Full
13:45 – Dazzlers ● 4
14:00 – Private ● Full
15:00 – Group 3 ● Full

Many thanks, Team Avon.

Nominate your chosen equestrian professional, business or charity who has gone above and beyond. Self-nominations are also accepted.

30/01/2025

The Equestrian Business Awards have officially opened nominations for 2025.

This year, we are eager to advocate for several awards, as any recognition would significantly enhance our charity’s visibility within the equestrian community. Additionally, it would serve to acknowledge the hard work and dedicated efforts of our staff and volunteers. We believe that our commitment to our mission deserves to be celebrated at this esteemed awards ceremony.

We would be grateful if you could consider nominating us in the categories listed below. Your insights on how our services have positively impacted you would be invaluable. We believe we are eligible or four categories, with nominations closing in April.

🎖️ Equine Service of the Year
➖ The Avon Centre as a Charity, Riding School, Events Centre, and Therapeutic Centre
🎖️ Charity of the Year
➖ The Avon Centre as the home of Avon RDA Group, Beyond the Gate, and Therapeutic Centre
🎖️ Riding School of the Year
➖ Avon Riding Club as the commercial riding school that financially supports Avon RDA Group
🎖️ Riding Instructor of the Year
➖ RDA and ARC instructors who go the extra mile

To submit your nomination, please follow the link below:
https://www.equestrianbusinessawards.co.uk/nominate

As always, thank you for your support!

Avon Riding Club
Avon RDA Group
The Avon Centre

28/01/2025

ARC staff member Cat is taking part in the 2025 Bristol Half Marathon. She has very kindly opted to raise money for our charity Avon RDA Group.

Many of you already know Cat’s story and therefore know how amazing she is. If you don’t know, please take a moment to read about her journey by clicking her Just Giving page below.

Help Catriona McCartney-Kitson raise money to support The Avon Centre

25/01/2025

⚠️ Tomorrows Show Jumping Competition ⚠️

Dear All,

We regret to inform you that, due to the forecasted changes in weather conditions for tomorrow, we must cancel the show jumping competition scheduled to take place.

We have been closely monitoring the weather forecast and the plans of other local venues, and the updated predictions unfortunately mean it will not be possible to safely run an event.

We will reach out next week to process refunds and credits for participants.

We are running the next show jumping competition on the 23rd of February, there will be the option to transfer entries across.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to welcome you at our future events.

To view our upcoming show dates, follow the link below:
https://www.myridinglife.com/RemoteLocationEventList.aspx?LocationID=1618&from=rl

20/01/2025

Join us for our upcoming Unaffiliated Show Jumping and Arena Eventing competition on Sunday (26th). Entries close this Friday!

We’re excited to announce that our show jumping classes now serve as qualifiers for the Sunshine Tour! Secure your spot by entering here: https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=493300.

After the show jumping, we’ll transition to arena eventing, where the first segment will feature show jumps, followed by indoor cross country jumps. You can enter for this portion here: https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=496249.

Spread the word and feel free to share!

13/01/2025

Team Avon are overjoyed to share this news with you.

Follow the link in the original post to watch.

Watch the latest from ITV News - The charity was officially opened in 1984 and since then it has helped thousands of children and adults get involved in horseriding

09/01/2025

Last day to enter this Sunday's dressage show- entries will close today at 8pm!

https://www.myridinglife.com/eventdetails.aspx?id=480715

30/12/2024

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Christmas Cracker Unaffiliated Show Jumping and Arena Eventing competition on Sunday!

📄 You can view the official results on My Riding Life here:https://www.myridinglife.com/Downloads/Results/DEC24-RESULTS_k0oojhas.pdf

☀️ Exciting news! We are proud to be a qualified Sunshine Tour venue for Show Jumping and Dressage for 2025. Starting in January and running through until July 31st, you can qualify for the championship show by attending our events. Mark your calendars for our next Unaffiliated Dressage event on Sunday, January 12th, and our Show Jumping competition on Sunday, January 26th.
Enter via My Riding Life: https://www.theavoncentre.org.uk/events

📸 Thanks to our photographer SuzeyP Photography - photos are now available to purchase.
Follow the link below.
https://suzeypphotography.pixieset.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0kez_ZCkrWHI4u_dQ1l5915YX_kipe8KG1-Ndk7MiohgVkhYLOuHjNxfo_aem_X2J-odJjtEXzJ6BdkDA4tw

🙌 A special thank you to volunteer Anne for her support with timing and scorekeeping, and to BHS Avon for the use of their cross country jumps. Well done to all competitors, and we look forward to seeing you at future events!

🏆 RESULTS 🏆

40/45cm OPEN
1st 🥇 - Jenny Applegate & Branna
2nd 🥈- Kirsty Edwards & Shadowcroft Hero
3rd 🥉- Daisie Hockham & Annie

50/55cm OPEN
1st 🥇 - Elsie Sanders & Goldie
2nd 🥈- Kirsty Edwards & Shadowcroft Hero
3rd 🥉- Kathryn Oldfield & Lionheart Xanthius Of Phthia
4th - Millie Boult & Blueberry Crumble

60/65cm OPEN
1st 🥇 - Kathryn Oldfield & Lionheart Xanthius Of Phthia
2nd 🥈- Elsie Sanders & Goldie
3rd 🥉- Freya Wollas & Dimmy
4th - Molly Bryant & Happertons Elmo

60/65cm PAIRS BOX RELAY
1st 🥇 - Prancing Piebalds
2nd 🥈- Golden Diamonds

70/75cm OPEN
1st 🥇 - Mia Williams & Reggie
2nd 🥈- Ebony Lane & Higgonmore Harry

80/85cm OPEN
1st 🥇 – Emily Seevaratnam & Jubilee Jack
2nd 🥈- Mia Williams & Reggie

90/95cm OPEN
1st 🥇 – Emily Seevaratnam & Jubilee Jack

Arena Eventing 70/75cm
1st 🥇- Isabella Yeo & Tiny Dancer
2nd🥈- Catriona McCartney-Kitson & Laguna

Arena Eventing 90/95cm
1st 🥇- Georgina Elliott & Ellie

The Avon Centre

30/12/2024

🐴 Shetland Saturdays 🐴- come and meet our herd of Shetland ponies!

Learn how to groom them, take them for a walk and learn about their behaviour and needs.

We run 45min sessions every Saturday at 11am and 11:45am.
Minimum age: 4
Cost: £15

To book please go to our online booking system ECPRO, create an account and rider's profile (even though this is non-ridden activity). Then head to the calendar and select your slot.

Link to ECPRO: https://avon-riding-centre.ecpro.co.uk/

27/12/2024

New Year, new challenge? Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives?

Avon RDA Group, based on the outskirts of Bristol (BS10), is looking for volunteers to train as RDA Coaches to join our expanding team. Successful candidates will deliver engaging and effective therapeutic riding sessions for participants of all ages and abilities in a safe and supportive environment. As an RDA Coach, you will play a crucial role in providing therapy, physical activity, skills development and fun for our riders. Coaching experience is not necessary, but some horse care and riding knowledge would be helpful. Training will be provided. You will work alongside an experienced coach and a number of arena volunteers who assist with delivering sessions.

RDA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all participants; all candidates will be subject to an enhanced disclosure check.

Working with the RDA is incredibly rewarding; you will see positive changes in your riders, their skills and engagement levels. Most sessions take place daytime, Tuesday – Friday, term times only. There are also opportunities to support and attend annual regional and national competitions to assist your riders achieve their goals at international venues.

Initially set up in 1980 and approved as an RDA Group in 1984, the Avon Centre is now an equine and nature based charity. Set within 100 acres of grassland and woodland, we have a range of horses and ponies. Our facilities include a large indoor arena and an outdoor arena, a mechanical horse simulator, plus paths and tracks around our land.

If this sounds interesting, why not come in for a visit and a chat with Kim, our RDA Coordinator? You can contact her by email [email protected] , or call her on 0117 9590266.

The Avon Centre
Avon RDA Group
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas from all of us at Avon Riding Club, including Santa’s newest sleigh pulling recruits!! 😆🦌

We hope everyone has a wonderful day 🎄

14/12/2024

Today marks the conclusion of Term 2 for Avon RDA Group, and we’re excited to share that our horses are phasing into their Christmas Holidays. While our regular RDA lessons will be on pause until January, Avon Riding Club will still be hosting sessions this Tuesday and Wednesday evening, along with Thursday afternoon. Additionally, Saturday will go ahead as normal. Please note that there will be no weekday daytime or evening lessons from Friday, 20th December to Tuesday, 2nd January.

Here’s a quick overview of our upcoming schedule:

Friday, 27th ▫️ Pony Day
Saturday, 28th ▫️ Usual Saturday Lessons
Sunday, 29th ▫️ Unaffiliated SJ Competition
Thursday, 2nd ▫️ Pony Day
Friday, 3rd ▫️ Pony Day & Hacks
Saturday, 4th ▫️ Usual Saturday Lessons

We look forward to seeing each of you throughout the Christmas period. Thank you all for your wonderful support and business this year!

Team Avon
The Avon Centre

09/12/2024

Hello everyone!

I’m happy to share that we’ll be filming with a national broadcasting service at The Avon Centre on Wednesday, December 11th, from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM. If you would rather not be on camera, we kindly ask that you avoid volunteering in the stable yard on that day. This is a fantastic chance for us to promote our charity, and we’re looking forward to it!

For those interested in participating and comfortable being filmed, please contact me at [email protected], and I’ll provide you with the necessary video consent forms.

We’ll keep you updated with more information as we approach the airing date!

Thank you!

07/12/2024

💨 Storm Darragh Update 💨

Hi Everyone, the plan is still to continue mostly as planned today. Staff are on site and the wind at the main centre building and the arena is not extreme at all. The Centre is rather sheltered by the woods on all sides. The drive is clear of trees and debris.

‼️ The only change of plan so far is the 9:15am Group 1+ lesson has been cancelled, due to instructor delay in getting to the Centre this morning, due to storm damage in their area ‼️

The Avon Centre

07/12/2024

To any clients travelling from this direction this morning, Kings Weston Road from the Shirehampton end is closed due to a fallen tree.

❗️As per last night’s email to clients we will be going ahead with usual lessons today, and assessing the weather situation on an hour by hour basis. All lessons have been moved to the indoor arena, so no one will be riding outdoors. We are liasing with other riding schools in the area, and all following the same plan regarding the go ahead of lessons & dynamic risk assessment. The worst of the wind was forecast overnight, with wind speeds decreasing as the day goes on. We will update everyone if anything changes ❗️

The Avon Centre