RDA Horse Care
A new group of students have started their RDA Horse Care course at Gartmore Riding School this half term. They will be learning about how to take care of a horse, including grooming, parts of the horse and the tack used.
Our congratulations also go to Gartmore as it has just been announced that they have won The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK and recognises the exceptional support given by volunteers at Gartmore.
The Lord-Lieutenant (or representative) will make the presentation of a Certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen and a Crystal Award. This event will take place at Lichfield Cathedral later this year.
Official press release:
“Gartmore Riding School RDA welcomes a wide range of volunteers from diverse backgrounds and with varying experience. The volunteers form a hardworking and respectful team, drawn together from a wide geographical area of Staffordshire through respect and enjoyment of the horse. The horse is central to the community that is created at Gartmore; this intelligent, compassionate and emotive animal breaks down barriers and is unprejudiced in their approach to everyone who works with them. The horse does not judge others by their background, education or physical ability and it is this open minded and embracing approach that is encouraged and reflected in the unique ethos of Gartmore, creating the outstanding, solid team of volunteers that Gartmore Riding School RDA is proud to have acknowledged through this award.”
Here are a few photos of our fab summer fayre. Students really worked hard to prepare for this day and their hard work paid off we raised £750.
KS3 ASC have enjoyed eating breakfast at the Goscote cafe after a hard morning gardening. Their behaviour was exemlpary.
So far this year, 21 of our KS3 students have been horseriding at Gartmore Riding School. They have all achieved official Riding for the Disabled Association certificates for Grade 1 and Grade 2 Riding, plus Grade 1 Showjumping. 3 riders did extremely well and were awarded Grade 3, showing that they could ride independently off the leadrein. A group from KS3 ASC have just received this half-term’s certificates for Grade 1, 2 and Endeavour. Some of these students were new to horeseriding and so have done really well to get their certificates. Well done all!
Nine students and four staff from the SLD department spent seven days sail-training aboard the 125 year old sailing trawler ‘Leader’. The group lived and worked on board, sailing from Brixham in Devon, to Weymouth and Portland in Dorset. They returned to Brixham at the end of the week. A round trip of 128 miles. Weather was very good and all students had a demanding but enjoyable experience
Four Students from different year groups and departments attended a five day visit to Lake District Calvert Trust in Cumbria, in January. They stayed in the centre overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake. Activities included, climbing, hill-walking, canoeing, riding and fieldcraft. The weather was good and all had a great time.
