Over 40 braved the threatening weather to meet and enjoy an excellent evening at the Mallard Hotel, Gullane. The table allocation meant that from the outset new acquaintances were made, and ideas exchanged, over an excellent supper. Our National Chairman Jane Holderness-Roddam gave a very amusing account of her life in the saddle, highlighting eventing team gold at the Mexico Olympics with Our Nobby, later successes at an International and National level with Warrior, and her acting and advisory role on the set of International Velvet. She even proffered advice on how to deal with a truculent teenager.
The Conference, held at the Drum, was split into a series of workshops followed in the afternoon by a practical physiotherapy session. Over 60 instructors, log book holders and helpers attended a well organised and run day. The three workshops were pitched at the right level to encourage participation and debate, whilst at the same time offering ideas and suggestions to expand levels of knowledge and development.
Margaret Morgan gave an informative talk on the importance of measuring progress, offering practical advice on how to maintain progress and bridge the gap between the achievable Grades 1 & 2 and the more difficult Grade 3. This workshop concluded with a comprehensive brief on ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) by Karen Glasgow who encouraged all to identify riders who would benefit from participating in the scheme. More details are available from Karen who is the Regional Education Co-ordinator and can be contacted on KARENGlasgow@Blueyonder.co.uk.
The theme of paperwork continued in the workshop with Jenny Leggate on the importance of record keeping. The workshop focussed on the UK Coaching Certificate, part of the Government’s education framework, and its applicability to RDA. Currently it is a generic qualification on how to coach with attendance being voluntary. After debate it was agreed that the award complemented the Group Instructor qualification, and is likely to become compulsory at some stage in the future. Practical advice was given on how to achieve and maintain rider evaluation. The key message is to start now and build your portfolio as you go along.
The third workshop run by Ena Gaffney was more practical and focussed on maximising interaction with the rider during a lesson. This was achieved through the medium of designing a Handy Pony course, and later through discussion on how to use aids available within each of the Centres.
After a hearty lunch, Lesley Furnell and Heather Assheton gave a very informative physiotherapy session titled ‘Hands in the Air’. The focus of the session was the pelvis and the importance of achieving quality of the movement, often through repetition. Exercises to demonstrate the right and wrong way to work towards the concept were performed by Karen and Ena, sporting smiley faces on the appropriate parts of their anatomy. This was very worthwhile and had us all on our feet at various times trying to describe what we thought of the exercise we had been asked to do.
As a relatively recent volunteer with RDA this was my first Instructors Dinner and Conference. From the outset I have been hugely impressed with the commitment, professionalism and welcoming nature of the volunteers: qualities which encourage me to be part of the organisation.
By Kim McCutcheon, Border Group