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Re-opening 2010
Our Summer activities brought us into contact with some 20 extra riders, so we have had to restrict evening rides for thos whise school attends a day slot. However, the forthcoming Riding Club on Saturdays will give extra riding opportunities for all riders.
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Horses
Can we welcome horses from the Ashfield Group - Max & Jake (pics to follow) And next week, our old friends Jack & Harry from Watertop will return,together with Harvey, who is returning after several years absence.
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Fairs & Fetes
Once again we have taken our horses for riding & driving (on occasions) to a number of Fetes since late May 2010 - Millburn PS, Portstewart PS, Harpurs Hill PS, Portrush PS, Ballymoney Model PS, Killowen PS, Hazlett PS, Macosquin Village Fete, West Bann Festival and Dunseverick Car Boot Sale. Thanks to all the helpers, and to the riders, who together have made a great contribution towards the support of RDA Coleraine.
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Street Collection - Coleraine - 10th July 2010
Thank you to the people & visitors to Coleraine on 10th July , who donated £900 to RDA Coleraine during our Bucket-street Collection, and to all members and friends who assisted in the Collection.
AS we have indicated previously, there are no expenses involved and all the money raised supports the work of RDA Coleraine in providing riding opportunities for persons with disabilities.
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RDA Fete & Fun Day in Benvarden Gardens
An estimated 600 visitors and 50 helpers attended another great family Fete and Fun Day at Benvarden Gardens, Ballybogey (kindly granted), and this year the weather was great, on the day of the event, and for a few weeks before, which enabled parking in the field.
This is an annual event, held on the last Sunday in May each year (Bank Holiday Weekend).
Activities included the ever popular Pony Rides, Pony & Trap, Teas & Burger Bar, Ice Creams, Bouncy Castle, Archery & aWorld War II display, and, of course, the Benvarden Gardens were open for enjoyment and did a brisk trade with the sale of plants.
Once again there were a number of Craft and Bric-a-Brac Stalls. with a good trade on the day.
A big big thank you to Mr & Mrs Montgomery, to all who attended, and to our helpers - without you all, the event would not have happened, let alone been such a success - it raised over £3200 net for the support of RDA Coleraine, wholely towards the provision of riding opportunities for persons with a physical and/or learning disability. Please note that no donation or contributions from fundraising activitis are used towards the support of RDA Staff - all posts are grant aided, or voluntary.
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS Ireland - Limerick, June 2010
Steven Yetman, from Bangor, is a member of the team representing Ulster at the 2010 Games. The Team have been Training each Month at Omagh RDA Centre, under the guidance of Fran Warden, SO Equestrian Coordinator, & Christine Hankin, Chief Coach, of RDA Coleraine.
Significant funds are required - it is estimated that each participant 'costs' £730,and we have had several events and activities to assist - Quizzes at The Port Hotel, Portrush (£372) and Johnston's Railway Bar (£272), and RDA Coleraine ASDAN Students are dedicating some of their fundraising activities to SO for this year.
We would like to draw attention to our 'North Down' efforts by Steven & his friends - a Bangor ASDA bag-packing in April raised £395.70 - well done Steven and your friends, and thanks to Bangor ADSA. Steven is organising several other activities in his area, so please look out for him and support him, or even help him!! These included a Store-door collection at Tesco in Bangor, raising £386 - well done to all. Steven's next event is a Street Collection in Coleraine on Friday, 16th July.
(The picture shows Steven winning a silver medal in the 2009 RDA National Championships, at Hartpury College, Glouscester, on Sprite, a borrowed 'Perry group' pony)
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Quiz Nights
We completed a very successful Quiz Night in the Port Hotel, Portrush, in late March 2010, which was very well attended and raised over £300. This was organised by a group of ASDAN Students as part of their Coursework.
A Second Quiz Night was held in Johnston's Railway Bar, Coleraine in early April, 2010. It raised over £200 towards the work of RDA Coleraine - thank you to the Railway Arms & its staff.
Another Quiz is planned for Portstewart Golf Club in the Autumn - look out for details.
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ICE & SNOW NO MORE!!!!!
Yes, IT has gone,and RDA Causeway Coast Arena is fully accessible.
The past 3 weeks after Christmas 2009 have left us mostly at a disadvantage, except in one respect - most sports pitches were unplayable - BUT NOT TO WORRY - RDA Causeway Coast Arena to the Rescue!
Naturally, many of these Clubs have now returned to their normal facilities, but several have been so impressed with the provision made by RDA Coleraine, that they intend to continue using the RDA Causeway Coast Arena for their ongoing training activities.
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CONNECTED HORSESMANSHIP
The Training Sessions on Connected Horsemanship by Laura Domenica were held at RDA Coleraine in January 2010.
Laura demonstrated her methods using up to SIX horses on Saturday, and with some 20 participants and spectators, and all present were most impressed by what they saw & heard.
In addition, Laura gave several private Lessons, and this gave those who attended the first session an opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical background to the approach.
See the Event Poster here.
If you wish to hear more about the Event, or express interest in possible future sessions, contact Michelle at RDA Coleraine - 028 7032 0147 or Debbie on 07709354046.
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