Ashford Valley Riding For The Disabled Group

Chairman’s Report 2009

 

Good evening everyone. Well, another year has flown by, it certainly seems to go quicker after one reached a certain age, and I now welcome you to the 2009 AGM of Ashford Valley RDA Group.

 

The position of Chairman is somewhat onerous and needs a good Committee to back it up. I am extremely lucky in that I have such a Committee and would like to thank them all for their help and support during the past year. One should not single out specific members but I feel special thanks must go to Brenda and Maureen for their work as Group Organisers. I would also like to personally thank both Brenda and Karen for their exemplary care of Moss and Rosie and the way the ponies are always turned out to such a high standard.

 

I will now give a résumé of the Group’s activities for 2008 and try not to take too long about it!

 

A sunny day with a cool wind on 18^th May 2008 saw 16 riders take part in the Spring Ride at Sheerland Farm, Pluckley. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with a wonderful picnic afterwards. Thanks must go to everyone who helped in whatever capacity but particularly to Brenda and Maureen who carried out the risk assessment before the ride. As our own instructors were unfortunately not available, Chief Instructor Marion Hunt kindly gave up her Sunday afternoon and came over from Sussex so that the ride could go ahead.

 

Then we had the Regional Dressage Competition at Hickstead on a really warm and sunny day. Unfortunately the journey there was quite horrendous due to a nasty accident on the motorway which meant some of the Group arriving rather late. Jonathan Burrow, Suzanne Mills and Jennifer Morgan took part and we are very grateful to Sally for letting us take Woody, who behaved impeccably. Jonathan was so late that he missed his class but the organisers were kind enough to let him compete. Having not been ridden in Mr Moss was a little “above” himself, however with a bit of help from the leader, me, Jonathan managed a creditable 5^th in his class and the look on his face when he collected his rosette is what RDA is all about. Jennifer got the highest mark but only came 7^th in her class due to the number of competitors.

 

The next event on 22^nd June was the first RDA Show, which Jenny Bourne kindly organised. Geoff Waters from NKM Fire Protection generously donated the £300 to hire Blue Barn and the show made just over £1,200 profit. Thanks must go to Jenny Bourne for organising the show and lending her horse box for hospitality. To Joan, Brenda and Karen for their hard work in keeping everyone fed and watered through out the day and everyone else who helped in whatever capacity.

 

As usual the Group had a stall at the Pluckley Hog Fair on another sunny but very windy day. Thanks to Joan for organising this. This will be covered by our Treasurer in his report.

 

Unfortunately the weather let us down for the gymkhana which had to be cancelled due to the ground being waterlogged.

 

The weather was so appalling that Maureen was on the verge of cancelling the Hempsted Ride on 14^th September but at the last moment the sun shone and it was decided to go ahead. The Group’s two ponies Moss and Rosie were joined by Lucy, Belle, Patch, Sooty and Albino. Eight riders enjoyed and pleasant hack along forest tracks accompanied by a small army of volunteers, parents and dogs all supervised by Heather Nestle. As usual the day ended with refreshments and a good time was had by all. Maureen has asked me to thank everyone who helped and the owners of the ponies that were lent.

 

The most exciting event of the year was in the autumn when we took delivery of a super new lorry, replacing our 15-year old one. It was purchased with hard earned Group funds plus a grant from Ashford Borough Council. Built to a very high standard by KM Horseboxes it is sprayed in the Group’s burgundy colour with a silver skirt.

 

Due to the fact that the weather can get so cold during November and December and rider numbers diminish it was decided to finish the year at the end of October. The last session was on 27^th and we continued the fancy dress with a Halloween theme, which was very popular. The Mayor of Ashford, John Link, kindly came to judge. Jacky Elford won the female section as a very convincing witch and Daniel Conlon’s fantastic skeleton costume won him the male section. It was a real fun evening with the usual bit of cheating by one of our instructors!

 

The spring edition of Ashford Voice published a very nice article about the Group and its work. This resulted in 5 new volunteers.

 

The Group’s year ended with another trip to Olympia. Unfortunately I was not able to join it this year but I know that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their day again.

 

We are now two months into our new year. The sessions at Blue Barn and Ellison Court are being very well attended and two riders took part in the Fun Day on 6^th May. We were blessed with lovely weather and Jennifer and Mark had a great time, each coming back with a fistful of rosettes. Three volunteers took a day off work to help. I can’t thank myself but I must thank Keith and our new volunteer Philip.

 

Dates for your diary are:

 

Sunday 17^th May – Spring Ride at Sheerland Farm. This is a very popular event and we need as much help as possible.

 

Thursday 4^th June – Dressage at Hickstead. We will be sending several riders and once again anyone who is available is asked to come and help.

 

Sunday 12^th July – Annual Show at Saddlesdane, Baddlesmere. Again we need a lot of help for this event so please book it in your diary now.

 

 

Finally I am delighted to say that the new Mayor of Ashford, Cllr John Holland, is going to include the Group as one of his local charities during his year in office. He came to the Blue Barn session on Monday last and I have been invited to the Mayor Making on Thursday evening to represent the Group.

 

Well I think I have prattled on for long enough and it now only remains for me to thank you all for attending and to hand you over to our Secretary, Karen, for her report.