The RDA Countryside Challenge evolved from the event put on for us by the British Show Pony Society in the 1980’s. With this idea in mind, RDA’s East Region decided to plan a course for their Regional Event as a progression of riding skills with a meaning and a purpose, requiring balance, co-ordination and concentration by the rider rather than the previous rather arbitrary series of obstacles. In the new course each obstacle could be used individually at Group level to practice a specific skill. The course involved good leading and side helping so that the rider could perform the movements with as much independence as possible. The guidelines were enlarged to help with the training of riders and helpers – and inform the judges. The “and rider” title was added to the original BSPS Working Pony event as it seemed important to acknowledge our riders’ great efforts to ride and compete.

The course was then adopted nationally, following a demonstration by the East Region at the National Conference in 1996. It was always the dream that this Competition could be for the riders who are not able to or do not wish to compete in the Dressage Championships, and we hoped from the start that the Working Pony & Rider Competition could be held at the same time as the Dressage Championships to show an overall view of the breath of disabilities we in RDA are working with. The RDA National Championships at Hartpury have made these dreams come true.

In 2002, a new course was proposed by the East Region so the RDA Horse/Pony & Rider Competition – “A Ride in the Country” was formulated and agreed looking at the same progression of skills but with different tasks.

The increase in number of riders in 2003 was very encouraging. In 2003 we instituted blocks of time for dressage riders to participate in the Championship course – hors concours. We also provided an extra clear round course for All Championship Riders. This proved to be a great success.