The Birt Spooner award is given by the Riding for the Disabled Association board to someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the work of the RDA. This year that award has come close to home. 

The last two years have been challenging times for all RDA centres, and to help them to adapt and resume the activities their members rely on so much, the RDA put together a working group called The Road to Restart. Its members were based around the UK, and now spent time visiting some of the centres that had been hardest hit, helping them with new challenges such as implementing risk assessment. Sharing experiences and moral support from around the RDA community is making a big difference to getting these amazing facilities operating again.

On 5 November the achievements of this working group and the wonderful individuals who gave their time was recognised with the 2021 Birt Spooner award presented by HRH the Princess Royal, President of the RDA.

Our own Natalie O’Rourke was a member of that group.

“This award is testament to the supportive community that is the RDA, and the amazing dedication of all those people who run their own centres with passion. At Park Lane Stables we know only too well what a difference it makes when there’s support to help you get through difficult times. That’s why I was honoured to be part of The Road to Restart.”