Mary Hare pupils laden with national rosettes

Riding for the Disabled Association awards at national champs

Mary Hare school for the Deaf pupils scooped national titles, representing Newbury at a recent (July 19) Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) championship.

Pupils, Lilli Karahodza and Macy Shilton, both aged nine, represented the Newbury branch of the charity at the RDA national championship, held at Hartpury College, in Gloucester.

After both took part in the Countryside Challenge competition, Lilli took first place and Macy fifth - before scooping more rosettes in the dressage competition, in which with Lilli was placed second and Macy fourth.

Some hard work grooming the ponies beforehand, and by Cathy Edwards, stable manager of Newbury RDA centre, in Hampstead Norreys, paid off, as pony Oke Dene Oliver and rider Lilli, then also came fourth in the competition for best turned out horse and rider.