Newsletter
2015 SEIB Insurance Brokers Burghley Sponsored Ride
(September 22, 2015)KESTEVEN RIDING FOR THE DISABLED TAKE ON THE 2015 SEIB INSURANCE BROKERS BURGHLEY SPONSORED RIDE TO HELP RAISE FUNDS.
Three riders from the Kesteven Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) at the Paddocks, Hough on the Hill near Grantham recently took part in the 2015 SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Kesteven centre founder, Karen Thompson rode the RDA’s Betsy; treasurer and RDA coach, Sarah Harris rode her own horse Tommy and volunteer trustee, Corinne Richardson rode her own horse Spider; all three pairs completed the ride. All three horses are used for RDA lessons. The Kesteven RDA is one of the beneficiary charities of the SEIB Burghley Sponsored ride and Karen, Sarah and Corinne were all keen to help do their bit. Karen said, “Our thanks goes to Ian Scott for organising the ride and SEIB for their generous ride sponsorship which ensures that every penny raised from the ride goes to charity”. I am the founder of the Kesteven RDA group. The group began 27 years ago, and started at the same time I set up the Paddocks fully approved BHS Riding Centre. We have over 40 RDA riders and they range in age from four to late fifties. We offer a small, friendly and personalised service for our riders and we have 8 horses that we use for our RDA sessions. Many of our riders are regulars and their aims vary from therapeutic to competitive. We had several riders competing at the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College this year.” Both Karen, Corinne and Sarah did the SEIB Burghley Sponsored ride last year. Karen continued, “We had done the ride many years ago and then last year decided to do it again. After the ride, I emailed ride organiser, Ian Scott on the off-chance that we could be considered as a beneficiary charity for the ride and now here we are!”
The Kesteven RDA group are enthusiastically raising money to fund a new mechanical horse simulator for their riders. Karen said, “Many of our riders are only able to walk and trot and It would be brilliant for them to experience canter on the simulator. The Ridemaster also comes with a screen and through the technology available, it is possible for us to video hacks around our area which we can then get up on the screen on the Ridemaster. This will be great for our riders as we are always looking for new ways in which to engage through the therapy riding provides”. So far the group have raised just over £15,000 toward the cost of the £32,000 Racewood Ridemaster simulator. Karen, Corinne and Sarah thoroughly enjoyed their ride around the Burghley cross country course. On completing the course Karen said, “The highlight was seeing the Trout Hatchery and the detailing on the jumps. We had a good canter through the woods which the horses really enjoyed, even though they are RDA ponies they can still go! Being able to get so close to the jumps when you are on horseback, you see it from a different perspective and it really makes you realise how big the jumps are.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for riders of all levels to ride round Burghley and raise money for charity at the same time. It is important to us that 100% of the money raised by participants goes to charity”, said SEIB Marketing Manager, Nicolina Mackenzie. Everyone that completed the course received a special SEIB rosette and goody bag. Burghley sponsored prizes were donated for the riders that raised the most money.
For further details visit www.icommentate.co.uk/burghley or email [email protected]. Find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/SEIB-Burghley-Sponsored-Ride/493212244121385.
Photo credit JPC Images