With lashings of tea and delicious cakes, our summer afternoon tea party was a huge success. There were around 100 generous guests seated within a cool marquee in lovely surroundings. Monies from ticket sales, a raffle and a cake stall totalled £2,512. 

Following our successful fund raising at our Winter Wonderland Ball we have been able to purchase a much needed horse to carry our older, more able riders.

Our new recruit is a smart, 6 year old 15hh black cob from Ireland called Tommy. He is both well mannered and eager to please, no wonder he has already proved popular with our riders, coaches and volunteers. He has spent his first couple of months in training and is now being used regularly in lessons.

Our first holiday for six riders was held in Wales at the Clwyd Special Riding Centre during August. This was funded through our Winter Wonderland Ball. The holiday provided a fabulous opportunity for those taking part to spend five days riding in the beautiful Welsh countryside and to learn all aspects of caring for a pony.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who went with us to help and also to    those who stayed back home at the stables to support Abi.

We are very grateful to the Belvoir Vale Fund Raising Committee as they donated the marvellous sum of £1,440 to our Association. The money was raised at a fun wine tasting evening held in the Colston Bassett village hall.

Local dance enthusiasts, Sue and John Wildman, held their joint 70th birthday party late last year. In lieu of gifts, the generous couple asked their friends and family for donations to their chosen charity, Belvoir Vale RDA. Everyone put on their dancing shoes and it was a fun-filled evening. The donations resulted in an amazing total of over £1,000.

At Sue and John's request, this money will be used to sponsor one of our wonderful ponies, Roma, for a 6 month period, covering his livery fees, shoeing and provision of lessons.