Six local riders have competed in the Queensland Riding for the Disabled State Championships via video entry for the first time in the competition’s history.
Each year Riding for the Disabled Queensland hosts a State Championships where riders, horses, coaches, volunteers and supporters from around Queensland travel to compete in dressage and working trails.
Due to COVID restrictions, the competition was converted to video entry, meaning riders completed their tests in Bundaberg and were filmed, with the entry then being submitted to Riding for the Disabled Queensland for judging.
Bundaberg Riding for the Disabled coach Billie Morgan said the opportunity to submit video entries allowed many more coaches and volunteers from Bundaberg to become involved.
“We had six riders who represented Bundaberg RDA at this year’s state championships in both dressage and working trail,” Billie said.
“With the convenience of not having to travel from Bundaberg, as has been the case in previous years, more of our volunteers and coaches were able to take part this year.”
Preparations for the championships have been underway for more than a year, with riders excited to compete again after last year’s competition was cancelled.
“Our riders were very eager to compete this year as the 2020 state championships were cancelled due to COVID restrictions,” Billie said.
“After watching the many hours of persistent practice from these six riders, we are very proud of them representing Bundaberg RDA.
“Many of the riders look forward to the opportunity to put on their riding best attire and showing off their horse-riding skills.”
While there were six local riders who competed, there were a number of other riders who have been training hard with the help of the coaches and volunteers.
“We also want to recognise the exceptional work from our other riders who are not competing this time but have still made us proud watching their progression over the year,” she said.
“As one of the coaches I can say it has been a pleasure and extremely rewarding working with our talented Bundaberg RDA riders.”
You can find out more about Riding for the Disabled Bundaberg here.
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Great job RDA, riders, members & volunteers, wish we had such in Albury NSW.