Celebrating 50 years of RDA Carriage Driving

My journey started with RDA

My driving journey started with The Perry RDA Group/ now Cavalier Centre. I have just retired from competition driving after completing 7 FEI Para World Combined Driving Championships. I am the current British Carriagedriving National Para Champion and the only British Para Driver to have been awarded the FEI Gold Badge of Honour. The British Para Team won the Team Bronze medal ! Everything and anything is possible. I can't thank the RDA volunteers enough, for starting my journey.Dream BIG !

Mrs

Congratulations Windsor and Ascot Driving Group on 50 years I was privileged to be a coach for this group and to see pleasure on peoples faces while enjoying driving is priceless . Well done 👏

Mr

As an AB Whip/Coach since1988 until 2024 i have been priveleged to witness the benefits of carriage driving to clients both physically mentally and emotionally. Sitting in a carriage improves both posture and balance in addition to using hand and verbal signal. Clients, if they have the capacity to understand, will become aware of safety and the overall experience is often the highlight of their week. Whether clients aim to compete or drive for pleasure it's "What they can do that counts."

New Experiences and Challenges

I have been carriage driving for about a year with Park Lane Stables and love every minute of it. I had never ridden a horse before but was so excited to learn to drive. I have had the chance to drive around many places and have enjoyed being taught by the coaches at Park Lane. They always encourage me to be brave and try new things. Driving Sam and Rizz has been an honour.

Strathwillan of Stanford the supporter of dreams

Strathwillan of Stanford receiving his long service award from HRH Princess Anne. He is standing with Dawn Whitmore-Kirby his breeder. Once with Scropton RDA driving/riding but after Covid he went to Wenlo RDA completing driving and riding. At 29 years he now drives once a week and is ridden most days loving his semi retirement. He recently went to the Regionals Qualifier in Countryside Challenge and was loaned to Kimberly House RDA. He is an all round good guy helping many fulfil their dreams.

The Royal Forest Of Dean Carriage Driving Group's volunteers

One big thank you. I would like to give one big thank you to my local RDA carriage driving group. I very much enjoy attending my local driving group and driving down the farm track where the group is based. We get to see lots of animals, farm and wild, including sheep, cows and water birds including swans and ducks. I would like to thank the hard working, extremely kind and helpful volunteers.

RDA Celebrates 50 Years of Carriage Driving!

For 50 years, Carriage Driving has been an integral part of RDA's work—empowering disabled people through increased mobility, improved physical health, and enhanced mental wellbeing. Today, over 61 RDA groups across the UK offer Carriage Driving, making it a vital and inspiring element of the services we provide.

Rags the famous Blue Peter RDA pony

In 1981 - Rags the famous Blue Peter RDA pony, was retrained as a carriage driving pony, expanding the range of ways he could support and assist disabled people.

Jet the second RDA Blue Peter Pony

In 1994 the second Blue Peter Pony Jet, was retrained to drive. He worked at Barrow Farm for the rest of his life both riding and driving.