We really enjoyed our Regional holiday at Pen Y Coed Riding Stables this year and the four riders ; Dominic, Dennis, Nia and Bethany- stayed in the cosy log cabin accommodation and enjoyed the “hot tub” and plenty of hacking out in the local woods, as well as a session of pole work led by Mandy Jones on the final day. All the riders progressed throughout the holiday in different ways and took part the Big Ride on the Thursday, where riders from other groups joined us for the 2km and 6km rides out.
Many, many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who helped on the holiday and on the Big Ride- and especially to Liz Rees for catering so well for us all- without their help the holiday could not have taken place!
Congratulations to all the riders and volunteers who completedthe Big Ride. The two hacks out were great fun and the riders had lovely horses hired from Pen Y Coed riding stables. We’d like to say a big thank you to those people who collecting sponsorship for the ride- you collected a grand total of £550! Fantastic news!
And lastly, a big thank you to Sam Orde, our National RDA chairman, who joined us for the day on number 17 of her Big Rides and presented particpants with certificates and rosettes. It was a relaxing and happy day and the weather was kind to us.
If you would like more information about the Regional holiday please get in contact: rdanwaleschair@outlook.com
Big Ride RDA UK
Ride no.17- North Wales Region at Pen Y Coed Riding Stables, Oswestry
On Thursday 12 October 2017
Each Big Ride has been quite different from the last and for North Wales it was held in the middle of their 3 day RDA Regional Holiday. This was being held for the first time at a delightful riding centre half way up a welsh hill, which normally hosts the Montgomery and Oswestry Marches RDA Groups. RDA riders on the holiday and others coming in especially for the Big Ride waited eagerly in the indoor school to see what ponies they would ride, with county coach Mandy Jones helping match pony to rider. In the morning 9 RDA riders headed out for a 2km walk or trot ride with the largest number from Clwyd RDA and other groups represented being Dyffryn Ceiriog, Meirionnydd and Oswestry Marches.
After a delicious lunch provided by regional chairman Liz Rees, riders each received a special memento to remember the day; a beautiful smooth stone with a golden horse painted on one side and ‘Big Ride 2017’ on the other.
There was eager anticipation of the longer afternoon ride which promised plenty of canters. RDA riders Dominic, Dennis and Robert were up for the challenge. George who owns Pen Y Coed Riding Stables with his brother and is an RDA Coach led the ride. We had wonderful ponies and all enjoyed riding along the wooded tracks of LLynclyns Hill with fantastic views across the Shropshire plain.
Achieving a canter on this ride was especially pleasing for RDA regional participant rep Robert as he is more used to vaulting at Clwyd and did most of his riding as a young boy. Half a dozen people set off to walk the route with us and hats off to regional chairman Alys Lewis-Jones who ran up hills and was the only one to keep up!
To see the photo album please follow the LINK