Dear RDA UK volunteers and staff,

It was great to see footage from our new Chair, Rachel Medill, at Bank Farm RDA for her first group visit - the first of many I know she has planned over the coming weeks and months. Watching riders and volunteers in action was a welcome reminder of the joy of RDA sessions and I know we’re all looking forward to getting out and about more over the summer.

 

Group surveys

Yesterday I sent out surveys to both restarted and closed groups. The restarted groups survey is a repeat of the activity levels research that we have collected over the past few months (and will continue to do). It is useful for the insurers, and to help with our own understanding of participant numbers as restrictions continue to ease off. The survey for closed groups is to find out which groups have plans to reopen by the end of September and which don’t. Again this will help us with our planning and expectations for the coming months, and to identify struggling groups. Both surveys close on 11 July.

 
 
Road to restart – Vaulting

The Road to Restart working group is currently looking into vaulting practices to allow pairs and teams to resume activity. We hope to update the relevant groups next week.

 

Reminder: ‘Grand Day Out’

We have launched a summer initiative, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, called RDA’s ‘Grand Day Out’. Through the initiative, we will contribute up to £100 to around 50 Groups to take their participants and volunteers on a Day Out (with or without horses!). This project may be particularly beneficial for those groups who have not yet been able to get together since lockdown.  

Deadline to apply is 12 July. Full details here: www.myrda.org.uk/runningyourgroup/holidays/

 

Groups in England: Tackling Inequalities Fund

British Equestrian has been granted £150,000 of funding from Sport England to support riding centres that are facing financial hardship as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

The fund is specifically targeted at riding centres and groups delivering activity to those groups most affected by Covid-19. The focus audiences are:

•                     People on low incomes
•                     Diverse ethnic communities
•                     Disabled people
•                     People with long term health problems

 
Details, and a link to the full guidance on eligibility and how to apply can be found at www.britishequestrian.org.uk/news/tackling-inequalities-fund-returns-to-help-further-centres-affected

 
 
New Carriage Driving weight guidance

The Carriage Driving weight guidance has been updated and can be downloaded here under the category ‘Download Options’: https://grouporders.rda.org.uk/ .

 

You Tube reminder

Just because we are stopping the webinars for the summer doesn’t mean missing out on RDA information and inspiration. There are around 40 webinars, presentations and ‘how to’ videos on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/channel/UCrI8v8J0WoEXNCu25ktkm0Q  . There are playlists to make it easier to find content that interests you, and a broad range of topics to get your teeth into.

Recent highlights include the Legal Matters webinar of last week, and Judy Olby’s presentation all about RDA Holidays and our Grand Day Out initiative.

 

Best wishes,

Caroline

Caroline Ward
Head of Communication & Insight, RDA UK
01926 405968
cward@rda.org.uk