Omagh Group RDA rider Cian Arthur assists with the Prize giving, presenting a rosette to Amy McLaughlin and Cookie Crisp at the group’s recent Pix and Mix competition.

Maeve and Millie lead the way at Omagh RDA ‘Pix and Mix’ Combined Training Event.

A highly successful day was had by all who attended the Pix and Mix competition organised by Omagh RDA last weekend.  Under the Watchful eye of dressage judge, Myra Grieves competitors rode dressage tests ranging from the RDA Grade 1a to British Dressage Elementary level, many of tests being very impressive with scores exceeding 70%.

Organiser, Louise Bogle was delighted with the standard of competition she also commented that the event raised over £200 for the RDA group.  “I would like to thank all those who took part and helped throughout the day, the standard of competing was great with many beautiful horses taking part “.

The next competition organised by the RDA group is their Working Hunter show on 15th November, which will include Northern Ireland Festival and Equi- Festival of Ireland qualifiers for their 2015 championships.

Dressage Results
RDA Grade 1a Walk Only
1st Freya Sayle (Princess Tinkerbell); 2nd Beth McSorley (RDA William); 3rd Gavin Forsythe (RDA William) and 4th Cian Arthur (RDA Dash).

RDA Grade V Walk and Trot
1st Amy McLaughlin (Cookie Crisp); 2nd Grace McSorley (RDA Jillie); 3rd Kathryn Johnston- Martin (Mr Snoodle); 4th Kamryn McQuade (Lisa)

BD Prelim 14
1st Andrew Ferguson (Caddymoon); 2nd Maeve Lunny (Millie); 3rd Ann Regan (Callie); 4th Nessa Toher (Chestnut Hill Merlot); 5th Mandy McQuade (Rosie); 6th Kamryn McQuade (Lisa) and 7th Ciara Owens (Finchogue Aztec).

BD Novice 34
1st Andrew Ferguson (Caddy Moon); 2nd Pip McKee (Max); 3rd Ann Regan (Kallie); 4th Nessa Toher (Chestnut Hill Merlot) and 5th Maeve Lunny (Millie)

BD Elementary 42
1st   Pip McKee (Max)

Show Jumping Result
Cross Poles (Clear Rounds)
Gavin Forsythe and Grace McSorley

50cms (Clear Rounds)
Amy McLaughlin

60cms (Clear Rounds)
Kamryn McQuade; Amy McLaughlin; Ciara Owens and Maeve Lunny

75cms (Clear Rounds)
Mandy McQuade; Nadine Arthur and Maeve Lunny

90cms (Clear Rounds)
Nadine Arthur

Combined Results
Cross poles and RDA Grade 1a
1st Gavin Forsythe; 2nd Cian Arthur

Cross Poles and RDA Grade V
1st Grace McSorley; 2nd Kathryn Johnston Martin

50cms and RDA Grade 1a
1st Freya Sayle

50cms and RDA Grade V
1st Amy McLaughlin

60cms and RDA Grade V
1st Kamryn McQuade

60cms and Prelim 14
1st Maeve Lunny

75cms and Prelim 14
1st Mandy McQuade; 2nd Ciara Owens

75cms and Novice 34
1st Maeve Lunny

Omagh Group RDA, Pix and Mix Competition, 25^th October 2014

Omagh Riding for the Disabled Group is hoping to raise vital funds at its first ever Pix and Mix Combined Training. What is hoped will become an annual event, will take place in the groups , costs £10 to enter in phase one (Dressage), whilst it is £5 to enter the second phase (Jumping). and promises to be a great day out. Omagh Group RDA is raising funds so that more people with disabilities in the local area can benefit from its activities.

Omagh is one of 500 RDA Groups all over the UK that provide horse riding, carriage driving, vaulting, endurance and showjumping to 30,000 people with disabilities. RDA activities are specially designed for children and adults with physical and learning difficulties to receive physical and psycho-social therapy, enjoyment and a chance to achieve.

“We hope that people will embrace something different in the area,  and hopefully  raise lots of money for RDA” says event organiser Louise Bogle. “Dressage tests are RDA 1b Walk Only, RDA Grade V Walk and Trot 2012, BD Prelim 14, BD Novice 34 and BD Elementary 42.  Show Jumping heights are Cross Pole, 50cms, 60cms, 75cms and 90cms, there will also be a Dressage only option where riders can ride two tests for £15.” When entering all you need to do is enter your dressage test and confirm your jump height also.

Omagh RDA currently works with 80 children and adults on a weekly basis, and has a further 20 on its waiting list. “We’d love to be able to expand our services to provide places for everyone who’d like to benefit,” explains Louise. “Events like this are a great way to boost funds for the group and I hope lots of people will want to take part.”

Omagh Group RDA Pix and Mix take place on 25 October at Omagh RDA, starting at 10am. For more information and to make an entry, please contact Louise Bogleon 07885521281 orOmaghrda@hotmail.co.uk

Open for traders to set up from 1pm the centre will have all weather conditions catered for with access to their indoor arena should the weather be wet or windy, competitively  priced at £5 per trader vehicle.   The general public will have access to the centre from 2pm, with free general admission.  Refreshments will be available at the centre.

Further details available from our Maureen on 07594862340 or via our Facebook page.

Omagh Group Coach and Rider Louise Bogle get her horse Indigo Boy ready for travelling to the UK National Championships at Hartpury. Louise achieved a personal best with a score of 72.3%, securing placings in both her Championship and Freestyle tests.

Following a very successful Summer for the Omagh based group of Riding for Disabled, the centre is due to open its doors again at the end of September for the new term, with some new faces (riders and horses) joining the team.

One of the highlights of the summer was those members who competed at the UK National Championships in Hartpury, Gloucester.  With a total haul of over 30 awards, including Junior Championship wins, this years trip also seen Omagh Riders take part in some new competitions at the National Championships.

Again many new riders to the pressures of National Competitions participated under the banner of the Omagh Group, as well as this many personal bests were recorded by the Omagh riders on this the biggest National Stage for disabled equestrianism in the World, outside of the Paralympic Games.

Omagh RDA are indebted to all who have supported them on this trip, to those who anonymously donated we thank you for your generosity, we are also grateful to the local community for all the positive wishes that all the team have received.

Special thanks also to all the owners for allowing these fantastic horses to compete with the Omagh group as well as the entire coaching and support teams that made the trip so successful.   Without such assistance these trips would not be possible, and to Dunlop Horse Transport and our driver Mr Ian Monteith for looking after our horses in such great fashion.  Our arrival into Hartpury was the topic of many conversations, not may groups arrived by air conditioned unit!

New term
With the start of the new term very close for many of our riders, volunteer inductions are ongoing for our new intake of volunteers.  Omagh RDA require volunteers for many of its activities, not all involving horse handling! Volunteers are required in administration, fund raising and much more! For further details please contact our Volunteer Development Officer on 07785952824 or attend our next volunteer induction and open evening on Tuesday16th from 7pm.

Fresh Ideas
As well as the ridden sessions provided for disabled adults and children, Omagh RDA also have many other events and training activities taking place throughout the autumn/winter months.

New for 2014 will be the introduction of the British Equestrian Federation’s ‘Trot to be Trim’ programme.

Following from its launch last year, the ‘Sunday Schooling’ will also recommence over the coming months.  The arena will be opened on Sundays for schooling opportunities.  The cost is £5 for a 30min session, Further details from Chris on 07709199474.

CAR BOOT SALE & FARMER MARKET
Following the reintroduction of the Car Boot sales since May, the centre will be hosting a Car boot sale in the following dates, 28 September, 26 October, 30 November and 28 December.

Further Information and space bookings to Maureen Bogle telephone 07731010644

Combined Training
The 23rd October will see a pix and mix combined training Show at the centre, with dressage tests Suitable for beginner riders up to accomplished Elementary riders.  Details are available from organiser Louise on 078855212181

Working Hunter
A working hunter show has been planned for Saturday 15th November with classes being eligible for both Equifestival and Northern Ireland Festival events in 2015.

Masquerade Ball
One of the social highlights of the year will be the Charity Masquerade Ball, taking place on Thursday 20th November in Corrick House.  Tickets are available from all committee members or at the centre, priced at £35 per ticket.

For further details on what the group activities are, any of our fundraising activities or to become a volunteer please contact  the group organiser by calling 07709199474 or by emailing omaghrda@hotmail.co.uk.

British Para Coach Clive Milkins

As part of the Omagh Group of Riding for Disabled's preparations for their trip to the UK National Championships, the group are pleased to announce that a Trainer to the British Para Dressage team, Mr Clive Milkins FRDA will make a two day visit to the Arvalee based centre on Wednesday 2nd July and Thursday 3rd July. 

Clive has a wealth of experience in the equine industry, having started off in Warwickshire College, Clive then moved to South Bucks RDA group, where with the help of the Committee was instrumental in remoulding the group. Along with his RDA coaching Clive has also been part if the British Para Dressage coaching team, where he played a part in coaching Sophie Christiansen to triple gold Paralympic success in London 2012, as well as numerous other international titles. 

The group will be holding open clinics for those who would like to avail of Clive's vast knowledge, these clinics will be available to able bodied riders. To book your space in a clinic please contact a Group Organiser Chris Bogle on 07709199474, clinics will cost £25 each.

Members of the public are very welcome to attend, traders will be granted access from 11am with the sale open to the general public from 12 noon to 3pm. For those selling items cars and vans will be charged an entry fee of £5. Entry for the public will be free.

In the event of the weather being inclement, traders will be given access to the indoor arena as well as the viewing gallery. Light refreshments will be available from the Kitchen at the centre. Further details are available from 07709199474 or the Omagh Riding for Disabled on 028 82 245 277.

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Gavin Forsythe from Omagh RDA displays his awards following his win at the RDA Show Jumping event heldd in Danescroft. Gavin will now travel to Hartpury during the summer as part of the Omagh an

The inaugural RDA Show jumping took place last Wednesday at Danescroft Equestrian Centre, Lisburn.  On the day Omagh were a dominating force taking 8 of the coveted qualifying spaces for the UK National Championships in Hartpury this July.

Winning 3 sections in the level 1 class was Cain Arthur (Lead Rein), Jack Armstrong (Unled)  and Emma Armstrong (Senior).  In level 2, Omagh also dominated in the junior section with wins in both led and unled sections with Gavin Forsythe and Naomi Connell.  Naomi was also successful in the level 3 class, collecting the qualifying card for the junior section.

Results

Level 1 Junior Led (1st and 2nd Qualify)

1st Cain Arthur (Omagh), 2nd Jordan Crossan (Omagh), 3rd Ryan Gilloway (Omagh), 4th Conor Canning (Omagh)

Level 1 Junior Unled (1st and 2nd Qualify)

1st Jack Armstrong (Omagh), 2nd Joshua Gracey (Omagh)

Jordan Crossan and his helpers Jean Chambers and Gwen Garrett at the RDA NI Showjumoing event held at Danescroft. Jordan was one of the Omagh riders who have now qualified to take part in the Nat

Level 1 Senior Led (1st and 2nd Qualify)

1st Emma Armstrong (Omagh), 2nd Rachel Robinson (Newtownards), 3rd Norman McClean (Banbridge and Moira)

Level 1 Senior Unled (1st Qualify)

1st Austen Burns (Newtownards)

Level 2 Junior Led (1st Qualify)

1st Gavin Forsythe (Omagh)

Level 2 Junior Unled (1st and 2nd Qualify)

1st Naomi Connell (Omagh), 2nd Grace McSorley (Omagh)

Level 2 Senior Unled (1st and 2nd Qualify)

1st Alice Sharkey (Newtownards), 2nd Bobby McAllister (Newtownards)

Level 3 Junior (1st Qualify)

1st Naomi Connell (Omagh)

Level 3 Senior (1st Qualify)

1st Bobby McAllister (Newtownards)

Award Winning Omagh RDA Junior Dressage team, with their haul of awards presented by Omagh Sports Forum. Prize winners are from left: Gavin Forsythe (Junior Freestyle Grade I-V Winner), Lucy Smyth (Junior Introductory Winner), Grace McSorley (Introductory Dressage Winner) and Naomi Connell (Junior Introductory 3 and level 2 show jumping winner)

Spring has definitely sprung at the RDA centre, Omagh as they gear up for the busy final term of the year.

Following the recent successes that the group has had at the local sports awards, the riders and volunteers of the Arvalee based group are preparing for yet another busy end to the year, with regionals championships, fundraising events and in tank end of term events.

Regional Championships

For the first time, the group will take part in two regional championships this year.  Commencing with the Show Jumping at Danescroft Equestrian Centre, Lisburn on Wednesday 9th April,  the group will be represented by 14 riders spanning a number of client groups that support Omagh RDA.

At the end of April, the group will also travel to Lurgan to the impressive facilities of the Meadows Equestrian Centre for the Regional Dressage and Countryside Challenge Championships.  Both of these events are regional qualifiers for the UK National Championships to take place during the summer at Hartpury College.

Fundraising Events

A number of fund raising events for the group have also been organised for the final term.  Evenings include, May Bank Holiday Dressage Inter-School and Inter clubs event (5th May), Pig on a Spit and BBQ at Baronscourt (16th May) and Fancy Dress-age (15th June).

Further details on all these events and other planned events can be found on our Facebook page or by calling the Group Organiser on 07709199474 or email omaghrda@hotmail.co.uk

Commencing the event will be Riding for Disabled Tests, for those wishing to practice for the regional competitions in April. This will then be followed by, British Dressage Introductory Test B (2009), Dressage Ireland P15 (Preliminary) (2012) and British Dressage Novice 34.

Entries will be accepted until Thursday 13th March at 5pm, entries can be text to 07709199474 or emailed toomaghrda@hotmail.co.uk

Members of the public are very welcome to attend, traders will be granted access from 1.30pm, with the sale open to the general public from 2pm to 5pm.  For those selling items, Car loads will be charged £5, whereas a van will cost £10.

In the event of the weather being inclement, traders will be given access to the indoor arena as well as the viewing gallery.  Light refreshments will be available from the Kitchen at the centre.  Further details are available from 07709199474 or the Omagh Riding for Disabled on 028 82 245 277.

Ponies will commence at 10.30 with the beginner cross pole class, whilst horses will start at approximately 1.30.  A full schedule for all heights and abilities will be held on the day with Northern Ireland Festival and Equi- Festival qualifiers in many classes.

Details available from Chris 07709199474 or Sonya 07874350665

Since stopping for the Christmas break, volunteers of the group have been very busy building 4 new lodden stables, as well as ensuring that all the horses were well cared for during the Christmas festivities.

As well as new Stables for the 2014 start, the group are opening a new session for independent individual riders on a Thursday evening, and will be able to avail of dressage, show jumping, carriage driving and endurance training available to all our riders.

The Committee of the Arvalee based group have also been busy filling up the events schedule, with table quiz’s, Baronscourt trek, dressage clinics and events as well as a ‘Fancy Dress’age event early in the summer. Further details will be released in the coming weeks and months, so watch this space!!

As always the Omagh Group always welcome enquires from those who have a few hours to spare and would like to volunteer with the group.  No horse experience is necessary, as full training is provided.  Not all our voluntary roles necessitate the need to work with horses, currently there are vacancies for volunteers with PR, web design , graphic design, finance and coaching experience.

For further information on the group please contact the Group Organiser on 07709199474 or email the group on omaghrda@hotmail.co.uk.