THIS year, between 13-15 July the National Riding for the Disabled Championships were held at Hartpury College in Gloustershire.

Over five hundred riders competed in total, including a team from Stokesley, North Yorkshire. Over the course of three days, sixteen hundred rosettes were presented at what is now the biggest event of its kind in the world for disabled horse riders and carriage drivers.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary next year the championships began initially as a dressage competition only, but now include carriage driving, vaulting, show jumping, endurance, showing and also the unique, countryside challenge event, where riders encounter a range of obstacles that they might meet during a walk in the countryside. There are no age restrictions at the championships, but all competitors must have first qualified at one of the 18 regional qualifying rounds, held throughout the year.

A team of seven riders in total qualified from the Stokesley RDA group, and group founder Claire Robinson is delighted to report that not only did everyone have a fantastic time but every rider came home with a rosette as follows: Kathryn Pavitt, 1st Dressage freestyle walk, trot & canter, 2nd Best turned out junior and 11th Level 2 show jumping; Kathryn and Nayana Booker-Dodds were also 1st Pairs dressage to music; Nayana Booker-Dodds 1st Best turned out junior, 7th Dressage championship, 3rd Dressage to music walk & trot test; Phoebe Whitfield 2nd Best turned out senior, 4th Costume freestyle dressage to music senior, 8th Grade 3 dressage championship, 9th Search for a Star, qualifying for the RDA Search for a Star Championships at Addington Manor in September; Daniel Rycroft 6th Countryside challenge; Kayla Pratt 1st Dressage championship senior, 3rd Freestyle dressage to music senior; Jack Welsh 2nd Best turned out junior, 4th Countryside challenge, 6th Lead rein dressage championship: Ellie Griffiths 3rd Best turned out junior, 6th Lead rein countryside challenge.