Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), British Dressage (BD) and British Equestrian Federation (BEF) are together, bringing Regional Para Dressage training to your local RDA centre!
This new training initiative supported by funding from Sport England will offer up to 2 training days a year in five England regions and will be taken by top International coaches. The aim of this initiative is to encourage young riders to make the next steps towards competing in British Dressage (BD) Para Equestrian competitions and entry onto the talent pathway. This programme will assist these riders to move onto the more advanced talent pathway schemes leading to the BEF Excel Talent programme. These regional training sessions will take place in R.D.A centres listed below that are able to host the training days and will offer an opportunity for riders from their own group and local groups to ride on these training days.
Criteria
The criterion to be eligible to apply to ride on these days is:
• Normally be between 12 & 18 years old (although due to varying nature of disability, a rider's personal circumstances will be taken into account)
• Hold a National classification within the 4 Grades eligible to compete in British Dressage Para Equestrian competition *
• Be currently scoring 60% or above in their relevant grade at RDA qualifiers for the RDA National Championships
*Riders with Learning Disabilities:
Currently under Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules, a rider with intellectual disabilities, who does not have a physical classification, is covered under Profile 39 of the Classification Guide (applicable to Grade III). This profile remains inactive at present so riders in Profile 39 are currently not eligible to compete in Para Equestrian competition run under BD & FEI rules. This policy will reviewed in line with any future decisions made by the F.E.I.
Participating RDA Centres offering BEF Regional Training
North
The Unicorn Centre: Stainton Way, Hemlington, Middlesborough, TS8 9LX
Middleton Park EC: EC, Middleton, Leeds, LS11 5TZ;
New Barn Farm: Chelford Road, Ollerton, Knutsford, WA16 8SZ
North Midlands
Kesteven Rideability: The Paddocks Riding Centre, Lodge Farm, Hough on the Hill, Grantham, Lincs, NG32 2BE
South West
Conquest Centre for Disabled Riders Ltd: Conquest Farm, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6PN
Avon Riding Centre: Kings Weston Road, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7QTSouth Midlands
South Midlands
Lowlands Farm RDA: Shrewley, Warwickshire, CV35 7AX
South East
South Bucks RDA: Mill House Farm, Fulmer, Buckinghamshire, SL2 4QR
Arrow Riding & Carriage Driving Centre: Darenth Park Ave, Dartford, Kent, DA2 6LZ
Chigwell Riding Trust: Grange Farm, High Road, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6DP
Little Brook Equestrian Centre: East Park Lane, Newchapel, Surrey, RH7 6HS
The Diamond Centre: Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 4DT
Penniwells RDA: Edgewarebury Lane, Elstree, Herts, WD6 3RG
Applications
Applications will be accepted throughout the course of the 2 year programme. Riders who wish to be considered for a place on a regional training day should download the application form below and complete as requested. This should then be posted to: Beccy Phillips, British Equestrian Federation, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2RH
Your application will then go on to our training database and once we have enough riders in a region to offer a training day, you will be notified by email of a date and venue.
To download an application form click here
BEF Para Equestrian Entry Programme Contact: Beccy Phillips
E: Beccy.Phillips@bef.co.uk
T: 02476 698904
