AT a recent Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Coaching Conference held in Warwick, Pembrokeshire College lecturer Michael Butcher was presented with the RDA Fellowship Award, the highest honour for the work he has done to introduce showjumping as a new Paralympic discipline within RDA across the United Kingdom.

As head of equine studies at Pembrokeshire College, part of Michael's role involves delivering courses to students with a range of physical and learning difficulties. This unique course is one of its kind in Wales allowing students to gain hands-on experience working with horses, as well as gaining valuable social, physical and educational benefits while working towards achieving an industry recognised qualification.

Michael commented: "Pembrokeshire College students and the RDA riders that attend the Bowlings Riding Centre each week receive coaching to an elite level and each rider is looked at individually, with an aim to working on a pathway to develop their skills with a view of joining our National Para showjumping team in the future."