This year’s Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (18 – 21 Sept) wasn’t just a spectacle of world class equestrian sport. With Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) as the official charity partner, they also raised over £14,000 to support the ongoing work of RDA. A total of £6,659 was donated through box office ticket purchases, and upwards of £2,000 from Agria – who contributed £5 for every member of the public who took part in a virtual ride challenge on the stand’s mechanical horses. All funds will go directly towards supporting RDA’s work supporting people of all ages to access the life changing benefits of interacting with horses.
The RDA’s innovative programmes are made possible by over 13,700 volunteers, 1,700 qualified coaches, 2,800 equines and more than 450 RDA groups and centres. The programmes improve mobility, boost physical health and mental wellbeing, build confidence, and teach new life skills for people of all ages and abilities, including those with physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term health conditions, and neurodiversity. With 24% of the UK population classified as disabled, RDA make a lasting impact through the therapeutic power of horses.
At the event, RDA also welcomed a number of equestrian superstars, including influencer Meg Elphick and RDA Ambassadors This Esme and Netflix’s Free Rein star, Joe Ashman. Mechanical horses Anton and Charley carried 613 spectators over the weekend, while visitors learnt about the benefits of equine assisted services and equestrian sport for both physical and mental wellbeing.
This follows a research announcement earlier this year, marking a new collaborative effort between Hartpury University and College and RDA, which is measuring the ways in which equine care and sport can benefit both people and horses.
Michael Bishop, CEO of RDA, commented, “RDA was honoured to be the charity partner for the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. Without the vital funds raised through events like this, our life-changing work, supporting the health and wellbeing of 39,000 disabled people across the UK, would not be possible. The interest and generosity shown to us by visitors throughout the event was truly inspiring. We are incredibly grateful to the organisers for choosing RDA as their charity partner and helping us to continue our mission.”
Vicki Wentworth, CEO at Agria added, “Supporting RDA means a great deal to everyone at Agria, and it’s something we’ve proudly done since the very beginning of our equine insurance journey. Being able to stand alongside this remarkable charity at the horse trials was a truly special opportunity to play a small part in the life-changing impact RDA has on disabled people. Congratulations to Michael and the wonderful RDA team for making it so much fun for visitors to Blenheim to get involved and understand more about the charity.”
In addition to this work, the team at Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials were able to donate excess HorseHage from the event to RDA.