Avon RDA Group

04/07/2024

Well done every one, especially those from Avon RDA Group!

This year, 12 volunteers have received the most prestigious award there is in RDA, the President's Award. The President’s Award stands as the pinnacle of volunteer recognition within the RDA, reserved for individuals who have displayed extraordinary dedication and service for a period spanning three decades or more.

Exceptional volunteers from across the UK have been honoured for their exceptional service and for always going above and beyond.

Read all about the recipients
👉 https://rda.org.uk/news_cpt/volunteers-presented-with-the-prestigious-rda-award/

RDA passes on a huge congratulations and thank you to all of these outstanding volunteers. Who are...

💚 Angela Blott from Avon RDA
💚 Bovelle Hamilton from Omagh RDA
💚 Cathy Costley-White from Avon RDA
💚 Fiona Anderson from the Berwickshire Group
💚 Gail Jarman from Avon RDA
💚 Jenna Leight from Bradbourne RDA
💚 Jenny Harris from Westmorland RDA
💚 Joy Claxton from Cobbes Meadow RDA
💚 Lesley Morrill from Hope in the Valley RDA
💚 Patricia Atkin from Helen Atkin RDA
💚 Theresa Drake from South Bucks RDA
💚 Venetia Kenney-Herbert from Chipping Norton RDA

28/06/2024

Now that summer has arrived - maybe its time for a clear out!

Do you have clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories you don't use anymore?

We are organising a special reuse and recycle collection that will raise funds for our charity. The more we collect in weight the more money we get!

Please bring your items in a plastic bag before Tuesday 2/7 and drop it to the first room on the left as you enter the stables (or pass it to a staff member/volunteer).

Thank you!

21/06/2024

Doesn't the building look better after the hard work of the team from Suez? We have several teams coming from Suez over the next months to do those jobs that we haven't the staff to do - please say hello and thank you if you see them

Big thank you to Suez Recycling & Recovery UK Ltd for painting our front cladding this week as well as supplying all the materials and equipment. You will be able to spot more teams of volunteers from Suez in the upcoming weeks helping us maintain and improve our facilities.

17/06/2024

Could you spare a moment and nominate our charity for a draw up to £5,000? Just click on the link below (or go to Benefact Group website) and nominate us:
https://youth.movementforgood.com/

Besides this special draw there is also a more general draw for £1,000, why not click on this too: https://movementforgood.com/

15/06/2024

A huge congratulations from everyone at RDA to Ed Bracher, CEO of Dogs for Good - UK and formerly RDA's CEO, on being awarded a very well-deserved OBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for his work in support of disabled people. We could not be happier for him!

14/06/2024

💙 Avon RDA Group Clothing 💙

In the next couple of weeks we will be placing our next bulk order for Avon RDA and Team ARC clothing! If you’ve been thinking of ordering some, now is the time to do it so it gets included in this latest bulk order.

Plenty of variety, from tiny child’s sizes up to a range of adult sizes, & personalisation options available on both hoodies and waterproof coats!

All profits go straight back into supporting the Centre’s charitable aims 😊

Please note
- if you want Avon RDA group it’s the NAVY items
- if you want Avon Riding Club it’s the BURGUNDY items

Order through our online shop here: https://www.theavoncentre.org.uk/shop-1

The Avon Centre

09/06/2024

A big shout out to Avon RDA Group volunteers - you are very special people who make the work that we do with our RDA and BtG participants achievable and meaningful. Thank you to those of you who support arena activities, shetland activities, stable and simulator sessions, along with cake bakers, scorers, writers, car parkers and the list goes on. Thank you !

23/05/2024

🏆 RDA Mid-West Regional Dressage & Countryside Challenge Qualifiers 2024 🏆

Wow what a fantastic day Team Avon had yesterday! We were absolutely thrilled to have 22 Avon RDA Riders attending this years’ Dressage & Countryside Challenge Regional Qualifier at West Wilts Equestrian Centre - our highest number since pre-pandemic!

Everyone put their absolute all into their tests, and we are so proud of the brilliant riding you all demonstrated. You have all, alongside our Coaches, Volunteers, and Staff Team; worked so very hard in the lead up and should be very proud!

Just attending the Regional Qualifiers is a huge achievement, but in addition to this we are thrilled to report that we also now have a record number of riders who have qualified for this years RDA National Championships & Competitions at Hartpury in July! 👏🏻

DRESSAGE RESULTS
• Verna & Hagrid Bertie, TVI Walk: 1st 🥇
• Ella & Newtown Lady (Gracie), Grade 7 Walk: 1st 🥇 Ella also received the Ellie Gould Trophy for Highest Scoring Senior! 🏆
• Alisha & Fransham Fella, Grade 1: 1st 🥇
• Sicily & Hagrid Bertie, Grade 7 Walk (J): 1st 🥇
• Ezzy & Jim, Grade 6 Walk (J): 1st 🥇
• Sarah & Dromandoore Robbie, Grade 7 WT: 1st 🥇
• Ewan & Newtown Lady (Gracie), Grade 5 (J): 1st 🥇
• Sophie & Hagrid Bertie, Grade 6 WTC (J): 1st 🥇
• Layla & Whitehawk Texas, Grade 4: 1st 🥇
• Gaelle & Newtown Lady (Gracie), Grade 7 WTC (J): 1st 🥇
• Alfie & Newtown Lady (Gracie), Grade 7 WTC: 1st 🥇
• Jenny & Dromandoore Robbie, Grade 6 WT: 1st 🥇
• Joe & Dromandoore Robbie, Grade 6 WT: 2nd 🥈
• Lauren & Dromandoore Robbie, Grade 7 WT (O): 2nd 🥈
• Millie & Hagrid Bertie, Grade 7 WTC: 2nd 🥈
• Iris & Whinny, Grade 6 Walk (J): 2nd 🥈
• Sharon & Stardust, Grade 6 WT: 3rd 🥉
• Zahina & Whinny, Intro to Dressage Led: 4th 🏵️

COUNTRYSIDE CHALLENGE RESULTS
• Verna & Hagrid Bertie: 1st 🥇
• Blossom & Jim (J): 1st 🥇
• Alison & Benson Dezy: 4th (but qualified!) 🏵️
• Isaac & Whinny (J): 5th 🏵️
• Alys & Newtown Lady (Gracie) 7th 🏵️

What an absolutely incredible set of results from everyone!

We would like to wish the biggest congratulations to all our riders, we are so proud of you. And a huge thank you to our fantastic Yard Staff, Coach, & Volunteer team for all your hard work on the lead-up and on the day that enables our riders to have these achievements. And of course we owe so much to our herd of superstar horses and ponies, who were all absolutely impeccably behaved!

Thank you also to the RDA Mid West Region team for running a fabulous event 👏🏻

The Avon Centre
Avon Riding Club

22/05/2024

Avon RDA Group has sent the biggest team representing our Group at todays Regional qualifier competition since before the pandemic.

The staff team, coaches and volunteers, along with the riders and their families have worked so hard to get to this point.

Join me in wishing all of the Avon RDA Group riders a successful day, despite the weather - good luck everyone!

18/05/2024

There will be lots to do and see at tomorrow's Open Day - we look forward to seeing you there!

18/05/2024

It is important to us at the Avon RDA Group that our horses and ponies access a variety of work - here they are enjoying some cross country jumping.

16/05/2024

Indoor arena program is finally here! Join us for some interesting and fun riding performances from our riders as well as visiting riders.

More information:
1) Doors will open at 10:30am. Parking will be available in a field. Free entry!
2) Horse rides starts at 11am and will be first come first serve basis. Minimum riding age is 5.
3) Well behaved dogs on a leash are welcomed.
4) Other activities you can get involved in: Shetland Pony Sessions, Horse Simulator sessions, arts & crafts, treasure hunt, tombola, raffle, silent auction, best cake competition, hobby horse competition and more.

P.S.: There is still time if you would like to donate a tombola or a raffle prize!

All cake donations will be accepted on Sunday morning. You can also enter the competition judged by Tasha Stones, British Bake Off Semi-finalist at noon! Please bring the list of ingrediencies with you.

See you Sunday!

Tegan VC - Para Dressage Rider
Cool Ridings

14/05/2024

Dezy & Whinny were superb today, getting in preparations for the RDA Mid West Region Dressage Regional Qualifier next week!

14/05/2024

Thank you Asda / ASDA Patchway for your hugely generous donation to help repair our vital arena hoist 🌟

This will now enable current and new riders to continue accessing our ridden sessions if they are unable to self transfer onto a horse ☺️

It was great to present Asda Foundation grant of £1,600 to Avon RDA Group in Bristol, with the money going towards a new hoist that will help their work to provide riding sessions for disabled children and adults.

– Caroline, Asda community champion

13/05/2024

Can you bake a cake for our Open Day this coming Sunday 19th May? You can bring it in on the day, or on Friday or Saturday. Please mark them with the ingredients. Thank you

Calling for all cake bakers!
Enjoy baking? If you do and would like to support the Avon Centre charity at the same time, please make us a cake for the Open Day on 19th of May.

The Avon Centre charity supports riding and other nature based activities for Disabled and disadvantaged. At the Open Day we will have a special stand for cakes, who will be for sale. If you like you can also enter your cake to a competition judged by Tasha Stones, British Bake Off semi-finalist. The competition will held by the cake stand at noon.

p.s: Please bring a list of ingrediencies used in the cake for allergens check.

Who is in?

08/05/2024

Are you going to Badminton this year? If so do pop into the RDA stand and say hello

28/04/2024

Hello all Avon RDA Group riders and participants - do you want to share anything about your coach? If so, please add to the comments below

This UK Coaching Week, we want to shine a spotlight on our fantastic RDA Coaches, who are essential to our life-changing work.

This week is a chance to celebrate, share and inspire us all with your fantastic coaching experiences. Express your thanks to your coach by sharing or commenting on this post.

We want to hear from YOU, all about your favourite coach or coaching experience, tell us in the comments 👇

27/04/2024

24/04/2024

The results are in ⭐

The 2024 RDA Creative Writing Competition, sponsored by Brown Advisory, was tough! Our judges were overwhelmed by the talent and creativity of all of the entries across the three classes.

A huge congratulations are in order to everyone who entered and to our winners, your rosettes are on their way to you.

Check out the full results available on MyRDA
https://myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/creative-writing-competition/

To find out more about our sponsor visit,
https://www.brownadvisory.com/intl/home

24/04/2024

5* treatment for the horses and ponies at Avon RDA Group, thank you Epione Veterinary Physiotherapy

24/04/2024

21/04/2024

Today is and to celebrate we'd like to say a huge thank you.

Thank you to every single one of our volunteers, you have made a difference to so many lives and we could not do what we do without you.

So thank you. Every volunteer makes the RDA magic and today and every other day we celebrate you 💚

20/04/2024

Do you think that your RDA coach deserves recognition for the work that they do? Well here is the solution - nominate them for a coaching award!

Nominations close on 6th June and the link to the form can be found in the post below.

Coaching Awards 2024
Nominations are OPEN for this year's RDA coaching awards! Awards will be presented at the National Championships and there are 5 award catagories open.
- Coach of the year
- Young coach of the year
- New coach of the year
- Coach mentor of the year
- The extra Mile award
The nomination form can be found below.
Nomination form: https://myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/coaching/coaching-awards-2024/

If you require the nomination form in a different format, please contact [email protected]

(photo from https://rda.org.uk/ )

19/04/2024

It is time to get out and walk! Join us on 18/5 on guided walk around The Avon Centre's grounds as a part of the Bristol Walkfest, for free!

Register your interest here and please share:
https://fb.me/e/1UoaGEUFw

18/04/2024

Our first Mindfulness Workshop with Shetland Ponies is on Friday 26th April from 1 to 2:30 p.m. We are offering this at a special introductory price of £ 30 per person for a 90 minute session.

Slow down a little at our new workshop with Hanni Rose Mindfulness- https://www.hannirosemindfulness.co.uk/ . The combination of Hannah's expertise, beautiful woodlands and the calming company of our Shetland Ponies will help you reconnect with yourself and nature. This workshop is aimed at adults 16+ and no prior horse experience is needed - this is a non-ridden activity. Please contact the Avon Centre if you need additional support during the workshop (carers can attend for free).

There are limited spaces, so please visit our ECPro booking site to reserve:
https://avon-riding-centre.ecpro.co.uk/book/lessons?date=2024-04-26%2001:00:00

The workshop will be held outside so please wear clothing suitable for the weather.

18/04/2024

The Avon Centre's own bake off!

At the Open Day on 19/5 we will host a best cake competition judged by Tasha Stones- the British Bake Off semi-finalist!

Get the aprons ready and bring forward your best cake- the winner gets a prize! All cakes will then be available for purchase in the aid of The Avon Centre charity.


Tasha Stones

14/04/2024

What a lovely day we had at the Avon RDA dressage competition on Friday! The sun made an appearance which was much appreciated by all.

RDA events often take more than a village to make them happen and we are blessed with brilliant volunteers who generously support our activities - caterers, cake bakers, arena builders, poo collectors, door stewards, practice arena stewards, callers, scorers, writers, leaders, yard team and coaches – we could not host these competitions without them.

Everything came together to create a welcome and supportive environment for all riders, including our visitors. This is particularly important for in-house fun and friendly competitions like these. Some of the riders taking part on Friday were first time competitors and some of the visiting riders had never ridden away from home before - that can be very daunting.

I have received lots of very positive feedback from individual riders, their families and also from visiting groups about the organisation and friendliness of everyone involved.

There were some amazing tests and the judge was very complimentary about the standards achieved. Here are some photographs of riders with their hard earned rosettes - they look very pleased with themselves. Well done everyone and thank you.

14/04/2024

Our Open Day Banner is up by the main road. Thank you Props for creating such a lovely banner. We would highly recommend this charity that is empowering adults who have learning disabilities to achieve purposeful and rewarding work opportunities.

And of course all welcome to our Open Day on 19th of May!

PROPS