disabled riders in M&M classes

[scatterbrain]

Hi everyone, 

I am a disabled rider currently riding and competing in RDA/PARA dressage. After much consideration I am seriously looking into getting my own horse in the not too distant future and have been considering the larger native breeds but I am worried that I will effectively block myself out of competing as a disabled rider.
Does anyone know of any PARA riders competing in ridden M&M classes and would I need special dispensation to use my leg braces, loop reins and voice aids like I have to do with BD? Who/which organisation should I approach for this.

Also, would I be allowed assistance in the ring with unpacking, trotting up, 're-mounting etc?. 
Sorry for all the questions but I need to know if M&Mclasses are feasible or whether I would be better getting a "dressage type" horse and sticking to the RDA/PARA Competitions. My main disabilities are mobility problems (I need crutches or walking frame, ideally the latter, to walk) and co-ordination/grip problems.
Hope someone can help,
Thanks.

[scatterbrain]

Sorry that should say untacking not unpacking--- blooming auto-correct!

[Debbie]

Welcome to Dalesfans I'm in America, so I won't be able to help with your questions, but Maggie on here has years of experience with the RDA. I'd be surprised if she couldn't help to answer your questions. I know her own ponies have competed, but I've no idea which competitions.

Also, I know there are other Dalesfans on here with varying degrees of mobility (I'm out of the saddle with kidney issues, but use my own girlie as a therapy pony), I'm sure they'll have some knowledge of what/where you can compete. I'd be amazed if the sky weren't the limit, though I'm sure for the upper levels the pony would need to be fully registered.

Best of luck!

[harveydales]

Welcome to dalesfans. I hope Maggie or one of the more serious showing people see this and can answer your questions. I've not heard of anything like this but then I'm not a showing person. Obviously I know of para-dressage and know of M&M ponies used for this. I've also recently heard of para-endurance which sounds interesting - I'm new to endurance myself. My gut feeling is you would be better going down the dressage route - there are M&M ponies doing dressage and para-dressage so you could have the best of both worlds! Good luck with whatever you decide to go for.

[maggie]

Hi Scatterbrain,

welcome to the Board, it's a very welcoming and friendly place where you can feel comfortable asking for and giving advice. You don't even have to have a Dales, although you might find you become an addict!

I do have Dales and an RDA background, but don't do very much showing. However, a very good friend has severe mobility difficulties and showed her horses and ponies (coloured rather than natives) to a high level, she rode herself, but used her groom in the ring as a 'runner' and to help her un/tack, dismount and remount. She did have someone else to show in-hand, where she acted as groom. I can't see any reason why you couldn't do the same, just have a word with the judge before the class starts.

Dales do well at dressage, particularly at the lower levels as they tend to have such regular paces and that is what gets marks. One of the best para-dressage horses (now sadly deceased)was Hillsboro Crispin, a tall and lovely Dales by Raygill William. I have a young Dales mare who is schooling really well, her dressage-focused instructor really likes her and a serious dressage lady watched her in a lesson, then tried to buy her (very flattering, but she's not for sale). She also hacks out on the buckle end and adores jumping, so a proper all-rounder.

Where are you based? If you are close enough, you could come and see the Performance Show (Saturday 23rd August, Richmond Equestrian Centre, North Yorkshire) and you'd be very welcome to come and visit our herd.

[jap]

You can definitely have someone else run up in classes but if affiliated (which is when you tend to doing a conformation section) you need to apply to the affiliated body (so the NPS (National Pony Society) or BSPS (British Show Pony Society) to get a dispensation letter to carry in your jacket pocket which you show to the judges every class (normally when your assistant goes out to the conformation section) to say you have proven the need beforehand.

I'm not entirely sure about the other tack alterations; best to contact the NPS and get the official line on it. I can't see it being an issue though.

Anna

[scatterbrain]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It sounds quite positive. And thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Maggie, was Crispin the one at Acrecliffe in Otley(Anne Everall' s place), Elaine' s horse? If so I rode him once or twice years ago and I think an acquaintance of mine called Lynn used to compete on him if it is the same pony.

[maggie]

Yes, that's right, Elaine's Crispin and I've met Lyn who used to ride him.

[zeldalithgow]

Welcome to Dalesfans

[scatterbrain]

Thank you, Zelda.

Hope you don't mind me asking, Maggie, but are you the same lady I met last week on the Lineham Farm RDA holiday? If so, hello again!

[ikklecob]

Hi and Welcome.

a few years ago there was a lady who had a disability local to me who competed at local and agricultural level . Her groom ran out for her and assisted in the ring just as any other groom would. She rode in riding cob classes and they brought a standard saddle for the judge to ride in as hers was modified in some way. I am not sure how. She always did well in the classes she competed in and her disability seemed no barrier. As for voice commands I for one would be lost without them!

Good luck.

[dalesnfellfan]

Welcome to Dalesfans, good luck with your search for the right horse, you won't go far wrong with a Dales, I'm a fairly new covert, I've had my Dales mare for 15 months and am totally smitten. They are very versatile and have super temperaments and very smooth paces compared to some of the natives/ cobs.
I don't see why you shouldn't have a go at a variety of activities with the right help.

[maggie]

I certainly was at the holiday and will be at the Escrick carriage driving one next week too.

That wouldn't be Nicky, would it?

Anna, the letter from NPS etc makes sense, that's what happens in BD competitions. Thank you for explaining, I'll store that nugget of information for future reference.

[scatterbrain]

Yes, it is  Hi again ! Did you get back home okay?  I'm still recovering!  LOTS of hot baths and voltarol gel. I've decided that I need to invest in some of the endurance riding tights with padding in the bottom area before next year!

Hope you enjoy the carriage driving. I would have liked to do the endurance one at Eskrigg Park but decided on the exam holiday in the end. Are there any RDA groups in the Yorks area that do endurance? I think I may have mentioned it is on my bucket list to have a go. I know there is a lady down in Oxford area that does a half-day have a go training course but it is on an Arab and I haven't ridden Arabs before. Might be a bit too spirited for me to handle!

[harleydales]

Endurance tights are the bizz - have a look at Performance Equestrian online, they have a good selection.

We do RDA-Endurance here in Scotland ad it is well attended at all levels.

Good luck!