National RDAA Dressage Championships:  RDAA National Dressage meeting, held November 2009:  Disappointment that there were so few entries in the 2009 National Video Dressage Competition.

The 2010 National Dressage Competition will again be conducted by video, with an aim for the 2011 National Dressage Championships to be held at a single venue, and include as many other RDA disciplines as possible.

Coaches' Portal: A new, secure Coaches' Portal is being developed through the RDAA website. This will allow coaches to update their details online and access all coaching information. It will also include a Q&A and FAQs section. Coaches will also be able to upload and download lesson plans, photos, DVDs, podcasts.  An explanatory DVD can be viewed on the RDAA website (www.rda.org.au) via "Coaches Portal".

RDAA National Awards dinner:  The National Volunteer Awards dinner was held at Moonee Ponds, Melbourne on November 21.  Award winners were:

RDAA Life Member awards:  Mary Longden, John Bennett, Bill Gibbins

Michael Field Memorial Volunteer Award:  Jenny Stidston, RDA Peninsula, Vic.

RDAA PETstock Young Volunteer of the Year:  Tara Poulton RDA Alice Springs, NT.  Runner-up:  Rachel Morris, RDA Currumbin Valley, Qld.

National Volunteer Encouragement Award:  Michelle Leach, RDA Mount Barker, SA (Congratulations Michelle!)

RDA Volunteers:  Each week more than 3,000 volunteers at RDA centres across Australia donate their time to assist 4,000+ children and adults.  Many centres have waiting lists of up to five years for their services. 

Special Olympics IX 2010 National Games, Adelaide April 19-24.  RDA SA is pleased to present the demonstration sport of "Equestrian" at the Special Olympics Australia IX 2010 National Games.  Twenty-six athletes from Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and  host-state SA will compete in four equestrian events

• English Equitation
• Prix Caprilli (Dressage over poles)
• Texas Barrel
• Working Trails

Equestrian events will take place over three days, and athletes will participate in Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and special event dinners.

Special Olympics is a sporting organisation for athletes with an intellectual disability.  For information, log onto www.specialolympics.com.au

The Horse Boy  is the inspirational story of a family dealing with autism. Journalist Rupert Isaacson and his wife Kristin, a professor of psychology, struggle to cope with their autistic son, Rowan. The only time he's calm is when he's on horseback. Their inspiring story is available as a book and a DVD.  RDA was invited to participate in Q&A panels after the Australian screening of "The Horse Boy".

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