Eridge RDA kick start the New Year

Eridge RDA started the New Year in style with a training day at their Chelwood Gate venue that offered a workshop in Makaton and a wonderful dressage display by top para dressage rider, Katie Radzik.

The Group’s secretary, Joanna MacIntyre said “We would usually have a training day once a year but of course this is the first time since 2019 because of COVID. It’s good to bring everyone together as a kick start”.

The session started with Makaton trainer, Gemma Sharp (www.inclusivecommunicationtherapy.com) and her assistant, Georgia, giving a talk about Makaton as a communication support for those with additional needs or even for very young children. She discussed how and why it would be used and with whom. It’s based on British Sign Language but serves a very different purpose. The RDA volunteers then learned the alphabet and a few key words and expressions to help them on their way.

After a fundraising tea and cake opportunity, Katie Razdik, for many years a rider with Kent’s Cobbes Meadow RDA group and now a Grade 4 para dressage rider, joined the team with her fabulous British Warmblood, Teddy. Katie’s mother, Steph, gave a talk about Katie’s journey explaining that while she has ataxia and cerebral palsy, it is her lack of any short-term memory that is one of her most debilitating conditions. Her mother calls each dressage test and each time it is brand new for Katie. She has to be careful not to over practice the tests, however, because her horses tend to remember them quite quickly leading to anticipation and problems.