National success for Wenlo RDA riders in Gloucestershire

TEN riders from Wenlo Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) group, based at Normanton-on-Soar, have been in action at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.

As 2019 is the 50th anniversary of RDA a special opening parade was held in the presence of the RDA’s President, HRH The Princess Royal and Wenlo’s Elsie Johnstone, riding April Pudding, represented the North Midlands region in the opening parade.

The Wenlo team - including Cleethorpes-based Jackie Smeeton who competes as an independent participant under the Wenlo banner - took part in a total of 16 classes, bringing home seven 1st place rosettes, one 2nd, two 3rds, two 4ths and one 6th.

In Seniors, Kirsty Laing, riding Charlie, took first place in Dressage Championships - PVI, Dressage Freestyle - PVI and Countryside Challenge ( Visually Impaired).

Stephen Green, riding Charlie, took first place in Countryside Challenge ( Visually Impaired). Paul Collet, riding Charlie, took third place in Countryside Challenge (Led with 1 sidewalker), and Jackie Smeeton, riding Serrano, took fourth place in Dressage Freestyle Grade 1-6 (walk and trot). Stephen Green, riding Maverick, was placed first in Best Turned Out.

In Juniors, Jonathan Rigby took first place in Dressage Championships Grade I/D and in Dressage Freestyle Grade I/D; Luc Doherty, riding April Pudding, took second place in Countryside Challenge (Led with 1 sidewalker); Anthony Whelband, riding April Pudding, took equal third place in Countryside Challenge (Led or 1 sidewalker); and Leon Doherty, riding April Pudding, took fourth place in Countryside Challenge (Led or 1 sidewalker). Elsie Johnstone, riding April Pudding, was placed sixth in Best Turned Out. • See pictures right.