We are delighted to announce that 3 of our Saturday volunteers, Katie Hobden, Katie Lawson and Kathryn Clements, recently achieved their RDA Group Coach qualification. The coaching pathway includes a combination of on-line and practical training sessions on a wide variety of horse, rider and coaching topics and culminates in a practical exam and interview. Well done ladies, Diamond is immensely proud of your achievements!
One of our longest serving volunteers, Chris Clay, retired in November. Chris joined Diamond in 1976, shortly after the centre opened. It’s impossible to list all the things that Chris has done at Diamond over the years but the one event that stands out is when she received the RDA President’s Award, presented by the Princess Royal in November 2021.
This was a great achievement and well-deserved recognition of the years she has been involved with RDA and Diamond, and the riders she has supported. We wish Chris a very happy ‘retirement’. She will be sadly missed.
The Trustees would like to specially mention our President, Robert Matthews, who has recently stepped down from the Board. Robert is one of our longest serving members and was one of the volunteers who really helped develop Diamond into the first-class centre it is today.
He has been a long-time supporter of RDA and riding for the disabled and is respected for his knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to the benefits of therapeutic riding.
Robert started as a volunteer helper in 1983 and went on to become an instructor. He chaired our Trustees for many years, playing an important part in the management of the centre and our grazing land, and the welfare of our horses. He was actively involved in fundraising and helped secure our land at Croydon Lane. He stepped down as chair in 2004, when he was made President, but remained on the Board. In 2011 Robert was awarded the RDA President’s Award for his services to Diamond and the RDA. This was presented by the Princess Royal and is one of the highest RDA honours. Robert can be extremely proud of what has been achieved at Diamond and is an inspiration to all volunteers. Robert remains in his role as President.
