News

A wonderful sight

It was wonderful to see one of our riders returning to the Centre this week. She may not be able to ride, but everyone certainly enjoyed a walk in the woods. The first steps back to normality.

We want to say an enormous 'Thank You' to the Wilton Middle School Trust, who have very generously given us a donation of £8,000 towards our emergency Feed & Care Appeal. This is fantastic news and it will make a tremendous difference to us.

The answers to the Crossword are:-

Across

1. Mane, 5. Horse box, 8. Skewbald, 10. Riding hat, 11. Warmblood, 13. Bridleways, 16. Stable, 18. Gallop, 19. Kipper, 20. Saddle. 22. Arena

Down

2. New Forest Pony, 3. The Grand National, 4. Badminton, 6. Thelwell, 7. Rugs, 9. Stirrups, 12. Farrier, 14. Reins, 15. Gymkhana.

April's Winners

The lucky winners for the April draw are:

1. NO 7 CHRISTINE CORSON

2. NO 62 BETHAN JONES

3. NO 88 DERRYN SAPSFORD

Very many congratulations to Lauren Brant, who is the winner of our Easter Drawing Competition, with this delightful picture.

Happy Easter Everyone!

CORONAVIRUS

Having taken advice this morning, we are sadly going to close the RDA Centre at Wilton for riding, from today onwards, until further notice. (There will be no riding on Friday 13th March.)

The advice on not spreading the coronavirus is such, that action should be taken early, especially when we are dealing with people with vulnerable health. Many of our riders and some volunteers are in this category.

We sincerely hope this will not be for long and we will be monitoring the situation daily.

Our horses and ponies are putting their hooves up, keeping calm and carrying on!

What an amazing Lady!

Katie King is running 12 Marathons, to raise money for us. So far, she has already run 2, so just 10 more to go.....

Please show your support by sponsoring her, by clicking on the link below:-www.justgiving.com/fundraising/katie-king22

Well done Katie!

Puzzle looks a little shocked!

The high winds on Sunday brought down a tree in puzzle and Bertie's field. There was a loud crash and the top half of a tree fell. The horses never moved so fast to get out of the way! Luckily everyone was alright.

Salisbury Rugby Club Donation

Salisbury Rugby club recently held a dinner which raised £500 for RDA. Karen and Natalie Manning were presented with the cheque on Friday and even managed to meet the Abalere bear.

A huge thank you to everyone at the rugby club

Presentation

Malcolm Scurrell from the Masonic Lodge came to the Centre this week, to present a cheque for £1,000 to our Chairman, Alex Hill.

A big 'Thank You' for this wonderful donation.

Carol Service

Come and join us at the Carol Service. Mulled wine, mince pies and a visit from Father Christmas,

Wednesday 11 Dec 2019 at 11 am

Donation from South Wilts Golf Club

Sandra Ellis, Lady Captain, South Wilts Golf Club presented Karen & Natalie Manning with a cheque for £5250 The Stars appeal also received a cheque for £5250.

A huge thanks you from everyone at Wilton RDA for their incredible generosity.

Celebration Walk

Over 70 people assembled in the Cathedral Close to help celebrate 50 years of RDA National. They were joined by Poppy, the grey pony, who was blessed by the Bishop of Salisbury, the MP John Glen and Salisbury’s Mayor, John Walsh. Everyone then walked along the Old Shaston Drove, past the Racecourse and down Hare Warren to the Pembroke Centre where there were wonderful riding displays by Tom Dyer, Debbie Hounsome and a group of our young riders. It was a thorough great day for everyone involved, helped by the glorious sunshine.

Nobby’s Owner told us he loves a mug of tea! As it was the last Sunday before riding starts, we thought we’d treat him.

Sure enough he gulped it down, taking a small break to savour it, then finishing it off!

THANK YOU

Alex Hill receiving a cheque for £500 from Lodge Elias De Derham No. 586

March Triumphs at Gymkhana

March is enjoying his holiday with Nancy Buchanan He went to a Gymkhana last week and Nancy's granddaughter Maya won a few races!

40 Years at RDA

Di Swanton has been volunteering with Wilton RDA for 40 years. A presentation took place today, 19th July at Wilton RDA. Many thanks to her for all of her hard work.

RDA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HARTBURY - 12-14 JULY 2019

Wilton RDA rider, Ben Willdigg riding Alice Pearse's horse called Beth. Ben won the Musical Dressage and came second in the Dressage Championship ID. Congratulations to Ben and his support team. What a fantastic result.

Unfortunately, our other rider, Victoria Cheshire, had a fall riding Noah halfway through her dressage test. We are pleased to report that Victoria is now home and already planning riding at next year's championships.

Thanks must go to everyone involved in supporting our riders to attend the Championships, both on the day and prior to the event.

Recycling

Our milk bottle tops were collected today –part way to the big total we need …… so please pass the wordaround and get saving again please !

Just clean milk bottle tops (with a 2 or a 4 in the triangle)

PLEASE NO plastic /foil seals, NO other bottle lids

Plastic or metal, NO bottles of Bubble bath, NO beach stones,

NO coffee beans, NO detergent dispensers, NO golf t’s,NO nut shells, NO paper clips, NO flower petals, pet hairs or postage stamps – ha ha !!! JUST WASHED MILK BOTTLE TOPS please.”

Congratulations!

On Friday, children from Wilton CE Primary School received their Grade 2 Rider’s Certificates. Well done everybody.

Doesn’t she look amazing!

Pat came up to the Centre where she enjoyed a cup of tea & yummy chocolate cake produced by Di Swanton. She then when up to the magic circle with one of the rides.

Showjumping Event

Everyone had a successful day at the showjumping event at the Centre today.

Victoria Cheshire won her event and qualified for the Nationals, Lyn Ford was brilliant on Frodo, coming third. Amalie Robinson came first in her category and Alex Barber came fourth in his. Well done everyone!

New Field Shelter

The base for the new field shelter in the top field has been put in using some very heavy railway sleepers . They were well used with decades of tar and creosote on them so they should last a while, even allowing for the stuff that now coats the volunteers clothing.

The next challenge will be getting the delivery lorry into the field!

Ruby get her Grade 2

Ruby Court from St Martins School got her Grade 2 in Riding and she made a blanket for Smokey.

Equine Flu

Please be aware that as of the 1 March 2019 it is compulsory for any horse being brought to the Wilton RDA Pembroke Centre site to have documented vaccination or booster in their passport which must be up to date. Thank you.

Coaching Patchway

RDA has introduced a new Coaching Pathway launched in October 2018 which is designed in modules to improve coaching, horse care and knowledge and improve therapy and medical knowledge. The photo is from the Therapy and Medical Module training day that we held at Wilton on Tuesday 15^th Jan. We had 16 participants and made full use of the new clubroom and 6 of our wonderful equines.

Mid-West was the first region to present the new module training. Every Quarter there will be a training day covering one of the modules. They will move around our region, which is quite large so that everyone can attend one in their area. On February 7^th there is a Coaching Module training day at Avon Riding Centre and on March 2^nd there is a Horse care and Knowledge Module training day at Cotswold RDA at Cheltenham racecourse. In April we start the 3 modules again with the Coaching Module training day on Tuesday 16^th April. Its all quite new but also very exciting.