Paralympic gold medalist, Sophie Christiansen joins Dame Judi Dench to honour volunteers at riding for the disabled regional conference

Over 120 Riding for the Disabled members representing nearly 25 groups from across the South East converged on the Haven Centre in Crawley Down last week for the region’s Annual Conference.  This year, delegates heard from a number of inspirational guest speakers including Amanda Jupp, Chair of West Sussex County Council and Tony Orsi, Managing Director of award-winning digital agency, Netro42.  Paralympic triple Gold Medallist, Sophie Christiansen OBE and Dame Judi Dench also gave up their time in special praise of the volunteers behind the RDA who had been singled out for awards.

Amanda Jupp gave an insight into the process behind applying for and winning grants. Each RDA Group is a charity in its own right and has to fundraise to keep afloat. The upkeep of ponies and horses is an expensive business so Amanda’s tips on making the Groups’ applications for funding go further will be of real value.

Tony Orsi runs the agency that is behind a number of high profile sites, including the design of the Big Brother website and app and his team at London’s Netro42 have been working on the launch this week of a new website for the South East RDA Region. The new website is designed to be user friendly for those with disabilities and fully responsive so it can be used on anything from a smartphone to a desktop PC. It  integrates with Facebook and Twitter enthusiasts as well as those just looking for a group nearby (www.rda-southeastregion.org.uk).

Equine Journalist, Jeannie Knight also took to the floor to entertain delegates with stories of her career journey and to give them an insight into what it is a journalist looks for in a story and how to help them meet deadlines.

The South East region has its own success story in RDA competitor Sarah Baverstock, from Pevensey, who told her story of how she made it from a rider at Hope in the Valley RDA (Plumpton College) to the World Para Carriage Driving Championships.

Julie Courtney, Bradbourne RDA (Riverhead, Sevenoaks), was awarded the coveted Tora Bray Perpetual Trophy for her tireless contribution to the running of the group that went ‘above and beyond’ the normal. As one of the many group volunteers to nominate The List Lady (as Julie is known) put it "Julie’s spreadsheets, lists, data bases and pleading emails are second to none".

Added to this Julie helps with two regular riding sessions each week (totalling 6 rides) doing everything from mucking out and catching ponies to helping nervous riders and new volunteers.  "Nothing is too much trouble, from dustbins and loo rolls to designing party invitations and being our entries secretary for an annual sponsored ride".

Dame Judi Dench made a special appearance to present an award to Sally Anne O’Neill, owner of Little Brook Equestrian, Lingfield where East Park RDA is based, for her services to the Group and Region that went’ ‘above and beyond’.

The Sandhurst RDA Group was awarded the Buchan Bobby trophy for their amazing commitment and fundraising efforts throughout 2014 as a result of being charity of the year for Sainsbury Watchmoor Park.  There was also the opportunity for delegates to meet runner Sam Cooper again, who raised £2,645 for the region by competing for the first time in the London Marathon in April.