Christmas Newsletter 2024

The Group continues to be exceedingly busy with all our rides full and a waiting list that we review regularly. We have many of the Island’s Primary schools riding with us but continue to support adult riders as well.

Some changes have taken place on the RDA Jersey Committee this year. Vix Miller has retired, and we have welcomed Hilary Surcouf and Jo Wrigley as Trustees. Jo has also become a Coach for the Wednesday ride, and we are exceedingly grateful to her and Hilary for giving their time to our Group.

Becky Monk, our RDA National coaching development officer, visited us in July to deliver training for our coaches and the final modules for Jo to become a fully qualified RDA coach. This was an extremely interesting and useful couple of days for all involved and congratulations to Jo for passing all the modules.

We were fortunate enough to have the funds this year to send a group of 7 children, with their parent/carer, to the Calvert Trust in Exmoor. This is a trip that RDA Jersey enjoys arranging every other year to give those children chosen the opportunity to experience travelling away for a riding weekend in beautiful countryside and all the other benefits the Calvert Trust have on offer for those visiting. They all had a terrific time, and the photos show happy, smiling faces. Costs have risen exponentially over the past few years, so it is uncertain whether we will be able to continue funding this trip, but we will endeavour to fundraise to do so.

Ryan Le Monnier attended the Riding for the Disabled UK National Championship Qualifiers in Cornwall, riding the Grade 7 canter test for the first time. He was successful in qualifying for the Nationals, which were held in July at Hartpury. Ryan was riding a new horse for him called Lexi, kindly lent to him by Becky Monk from the Lakefield Equestrian Centre in Cornwall. He was again successful qualifying to ride the Grade 7 canter test at the British Para Championships, which was a terrific achievement. We congratulate Ryan for all his hard work.

We held our annual fundraising bridge tea in February. Again, this was well attended and our thanks to Rachel Andrews who puts this excellent afternoon together and which raised much needed funds to help pay the costs of repairing our hydraulic lift.

In the last year, we have continued to receive donations from individuals, corporates and charitable foundations. However, as our costs are rising all the time, it was apparent that this was not enough to keep offering free rides into 2025, so this year we have applied to various bodies for support by way of grants for particular expenses that we will occur (or have occurred) from September 2024 through to December 2025. I am delighted to say that three grants were approved, The Roy Overland Charitable Trust, the Jersey Community Foundation and Jersey Sport have very kindly granted our requests and their financial help means that our future is secure at present. We are SO grateful to everyone who supports us.

Finally, Lucy and I would like to thank all our hardworking, dedicated Committee members, coaches and volunteers who give their time so willingly to help our riders.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year.

Cathy Fricker and Lucy Johnson

Chairman & Joint Group Organiser

December 2024

Christmas Newsletter 2023

The Group has had a busy year with all rides remaining full and riders on the waiting list, which is reviewed regularly as we endeavour to give everyone who applies to RDA the opportunity to experience riding and enjoy the benefits.

We were invited by the BSJA Committee to join them at their annual Summer Show in June. RDA had a class of twelve children riding in groups of three. Donna kindly allowed us to rent the ponies for the day to allow us to give the children from Rouge Bouillon, Springfield and D’Auvergne Primary Schools the chance to participate and show off their skills in front of the horse community and their friends and families. It was a fantastic day and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Our Patron, Dr Kyd, kindly attended and presented rosettes to all the riders. We would like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their time on the Saturday to help with the event and Sarre & Co who donated the beautiful rosettes.

Ryan Le Monnier went to the Riding for the Disabled UK National Championship Qualifiers in Cornwall again this year. Unfortunately, he was not quite as successful as last year but rode a very good dressage test and came 3rd in his very competitive class.  He has been working hard at his riding and competing successfully entering the on-line dressage competitions run by RDA National. We hope that Ryan will enter the Qualifiers for the Championships again next year.

We held our annual fundraising bridge tea in February. This was very well attended and raised £2,030.00 which helped towards the new riding hats we have had to purchase this year.

Lucy and I would like to thank the hard-working Committee members and all volunteers who continue to give their time so willingly to help our riders. We also thank our supporters who have donated so generously to help us continue to give rides free of charge. 

After a disappointing Autumn term with so many cancellations because of the weather, we look forward to welcoming our riders back in 2024, plus new riders who will have the opportunity to experience the wonderful world of ponies and riding.

Cathy Fricker and Lucy Johnson

Chairman & Joint Group Organiser

December 2023