2007
I started my own Riding for the Disabled group called Tradissar. This group teaches disabled riders of all abilities and specialists in side saddle for those that are unable to rider astride.
2000 - 2005
During these years, I have competed regularly at the SSA, RDA and BD Strongid-P Nationals. To enter the RDA Nationals and Strongid-P, one must qualify by winning a regional competition. I have also been placed on numerous occasions. At the SSA Nationals in 2001, I won the trophy for the highest number of points at the event (I was the only disabled rider out of about 250 entrants). At the time I was riding Barbarella, now retired at the South Bucks RDA centre. My speciality is Historical costume; I have won this class five times running at the SSA Nationals.
Just recently at the Side Saddle Association Southern Area Dressage Championship I won first in the elementary, first in the novice free style to music, second in the free style to music in historical costume and won the trophy for best music.
As well as competing, I do many invited displays, at venues such as National Polo Week at Cowdray Park, the Celebration of the Horse at Highclere Castle, Sotheby´s Open Day at Billingshurst and the Weald Historical Museum in Sussex to mention a few. I also lecture on making historical costumes all over the country.
For various reasons, I have had four different mounts during these years, each of which I have had to school myself to Medium level in dressage. No mean feat for an able bodied person.
2000 - 2003
I competed in the French and Dutch side-saddle Nationals in the dressage, dressage to music and dressage to music in costume classes. I took home two trophies from Holland and six from France. As well as dressage, I won trophies for the Pas de Deux, Quadrille and Concours d´Elegance.
1998 - 2000
During these years, I was in the RDA International Squad, and completed in three or four International Friendlies, each time on a different horse. I had my fair share of wins and places.
In The News
| Meridian TV | 2007 | Full Feature in local news on RDA group specialising in side saddle |
| SSA Newsletter | 2007 | Summer Article |
| Horse & Hound | 2007 | Full Page biography of Rayna Matthews with photos |
| Portsmouth News | 2007 | Half Page |
| SSA Newsletter | 2006 | Full Article on RDA Evening entertainment |
| Portsmouth News | 2006 | Half Page |
| Absolute Horse | 2006 | |
| Horse & Hound | 2004 | |
| Horse & Hound | 2003 | |
| Side Saddle International | 2003 | |
| BBC Countryfile | 2000 | Full feature on side saddle for a disabled person |
| Side Saddle International | 2000 | Full page photo |
| Hello Magazine | 1999 | Photo |
| Critters | 1999 | |
| Horse South Central | 1999 |
