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My Aims
I would like to continue to compete at high level both in this country and abroad. My goal is to be the First Disabled Side Saddle rider to achieve Advanced Level Dressage. The underlying purpose being to demonstrate the benefits of Side Saddle riding for those riders who find it difficult, if not impossible to ride astride. Since side saddle has brought me so much success, I passionately wish to inspire, encourage and to give hope to others who find themselves in similar circumstances.
The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding
My ability to do just that was clearly demonstrated at a very successful two day clinic held in 2005 at an R.D.A. centre in Suffolk. With my brilliant horse Lucky, I aroused great enthusiasm in both the disabled riders of all ages and their instructors.
Some of the riders could not advance astride but after my encouragement and expertise they found that side saddle was the way forward. It was an amazing and uplifting experience for all those who took part, especially for the disabled children, who had never seen another disabled person ride at this advanced level.
As well as instruction, there is another, possibly even a greater reason for my clinics - to inspire disabled riders of all ages to achieve far more than they ever thought possible. There is now no reason why someone riding side saddle cannot compete at the Paralympics. My determination has opened doors and made it possible for someone riding side saddle to compete on equal terms with those riding astride.
Rayna presenting her rider's rosette to Zoe,
out riding side-saddle
for the first time
Since
this website was first constructed, my aims have changed to some
extent. As well as continuing to develop my own skills,
I see my equestrian future trending ever further towards helping
disabled people. Recently, I have been working ever more closely with
the RDA, especially Mr. Doug Smith, chairman of the RDA National Championships.
He has invited me to organise the evening entertainment at these, which
are being held at Hartpury College, near Gloucester, over the weekend
of 14-15 July 2006.
The entertainment is scheduled to run for about 45 minutes; nine displays
will be presented, all ridden side-saddle, by a team of able-bodied
and disabled riders. The intention of this show, as well as pure entertainment,
is to demonstrate both the usefulness of side-saddle for those with
certain types of disability, and the grace and elegance of this method
of riding.
Meanwhile, I have joined a local RDA group, initially as a helper,
but with the intention of qualifying as an instructor over the next
few months. On an informal basis, I have been coaching one or two disabled
youngsters, who have taken to side-saddle like ducks to water. As well
as continuing to develop my own skills, I see my equestrian future
trending ever further towards helping disabled people. I shall be delighted
to hear from anyone, of any age and suffering from any disability,
who thinks that I might be able to enhance their skills; I see no reason
why someone riding side-saddle should not compete in the Paralympics.
In the Autumn I hope to circulate all RDA groups within reach of my base in Hampshire, offering my services. I hope that a number will find it worthwhile to take my offer up.
Rayna dressed as the Duchess of Gordon
in her uniform as Colonel-in-Chief
of the Gordon Highlanders in 1794
For
this project to be successful it is essential Lucky and I are able
to continue our partnership. Lucky has proved to be the ideal
horse, as she is trustworthy and generous when working with people
of varying degrees of disability. Not easy to find in a horse at
this competitive level. Lucky is learning all the time. At present
she competes
at Medium level and by next season we hope to reach very advanced
levels.