IT WAS about so much more than the competition, they said, when four Tamworth women travelled to Sydney to take part in a statewide event.
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Sam Moss, Sarah Hoskins, Kelly Usher and Nikkita Butler recently participated in the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) NSW Dressage Championships and Gymkhana Gala.
They came home with a rainbow of ribbons, but just as satisfying was the camaraderie, inspiration and education they also gained.
The four women, members of Tamworth’s RDA, competed among the roughly 35 people in the event, held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre.
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Among their achievements in dressage, showjumping, trotting and more was taking fourth place in the teams event.
When the Tamworth Times caught up with three of the group at a regular riding day at the Tamworth grounds, Kelly said her experience had been “good; I was happy with how I went”.
Sarah said there’d been many facets to the experience – for the humans and the animals.
“I liked meeting new people and making new friends, and I’ve never been to the equestrian centre before. It was a good experience for the horses, as well: having to adjust to the new environment,” Sarah said.
Clearing hurdles
Sam said it had been inspiring to see competitors with a range of disabilities push themselves.
“Seeing other people and their challenges and how they’ve overcome them was a real highlight,” she said.
“One of my biggest ones was confidence – the whole fear of performing – but I knew a lot of other competitors were feeling the same way.”
Sam, who came back to riding only in November after last competing in her mid-teens, said she was most proud of a second-place ribbon in her dressage test.
“I was ecstatic about that; I had a smile from ear to ear.”
The women were accompanied by various loved ones and their RDA Tamworth coaches.
During the three-day event, they became more involved than usual with taking care of their horses, including feeding them, cleaning their stables and preparing them for competition.
“It made me appreciate just how much work these volunteers do, day to day,” Sam said.
“I just turn up and ride, and this was a real eye-opener.”