Top summer of success for local disabled riding group

Volunteers and competitors at a High Peak-based disabled riding charity are celebrating an outstanding summer of success – including the royal seal of approval for their service and expertise and top dressage results in a national competition.

Pat Atkin and Alison Riley of Helen Atkin Group Buxton Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) both received prestigious awards from HRH The Princess Royal, President of RDA UK, at the charity’s National Championships at Hartpury University and College, Gloucestershire, on Friday, July 12.

Pat, who founded the group in 1987 and is still Treasurer, was one of just 12 recipients of President’s Awards in 2024 – the highest accolade RDA UK can bestow – while Alison was selected as New Coach of the Year in this year’s RDA Coaching Awards.

Then riders, Jessica Limb and Vivienne Milburn, both achieved first place in their respective dressage classes at the same event (July 12 – 14) – Jessica in the Grade 7 open canter class and Vivienne in the Grade 6 walk and trot senior category. Jessica also distinguished herself by winning both the overall Dressage Championship for junior, senior and open competitors and the best turned out award, scoring third place in the freestyle dressage to music class and achieving fourth place in the showing unled walk, trot and canter category.

Both riders have also been invited to compete in the Equissage Pulse Para Bronze and Silver Summer Championships at Hartpury on August 21 and 22, where they are eligible to enter the RDA Grade 6 Championship class, run in partnership with British Dressage. 

The group’s young riders were ably represented by the artistic skills of Isabelle Moore (12), who scooped third prize in the junior category of the paintings and drawings (individual) competition, with her striking portrait of a pony and sunflower.

Janine Frost, Chairperson of Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that all these talented flag-bearers for our charity have received top national recognition for their hard work, dedication and ever-improving skills.

“Our national RDA motto is ‘It’s what you can do that counts’, and each day everyone in our team strives to push the boundaries to help all our riders reach their full individual potential. It’s hard to believe that we only started entering RDA competitions just a few years ago, and we are all so proud of Jess and Vivienne’s fantastic achievements.

“The thorough groundwork done by Pat and all those associated with our group over almost 40 years have really helped us to flourish and prosper in the present, and thanks to people like Alison, who joined us more recently, plus enthusiastic young riders like Isabelle, we can look forward to an equally bright future.”

The RDA President’s Award is given to volunteers who have shown extraordinary dedication and service over three decades or more, while the RDA Coaching Awards reward those who have made an outstanding contribution, benefiting riders and volunteers alike.

Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA is a voluntary group (charity number 1182183) providing riding therapy for local disabled children and adults using selected horses and ponies based at Buxton Riding School, Fern Farm, Buxton. For more details, visit the website at helenatkinrda.org.uk or the Facebook page at facebook.com/BuxtonRDA.