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THE SUPER-COB SERIES: MAY 2023
SION
 

 

 

 

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Meet Sion, one of the many wonderful horses that provide invaluable opportunities and experiences under the fantastic care of the Cavalier Centre in Much Wenlock.

Aged 15 and standing at 14.2hh, Sion is a valued member of the team of horses at the Centre. Offering a multitude of disciplines to the centre's riders, including Dressage, Carriage Driving, Hippotherapy (physio therapy from horseback) & even Vaulting. During the last 5 years at the centre, Sion has simultaneously maintained his loveable & cheeky character alongside his level-headed & quiet attitude to work, securing himself a spot as a firm favourite amongst many of the Staff, riders & Volunteers.

Originally from Stoneyford Riding Centre in 2018, Sion spent his days teaching people how to ride & since joining the team of horses at the Cavalier Centre, Sion has become a huge asset to the centre, turning his hoof to any job asked of him & thus, aiding in opening the doors of Equestrian Sports to the wider community.

 

 

 

- VERSATILE & HARD-WORKING -

 

 

 

Alongside the fantastic day-to-day work Sion provides for the Cavalier Centre, he has also given numerous Para-riders the opportunity to compete across the West Midlands.

 

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Over the course of the last two years he travelled out to Warwickshire on several occasions to compete in the Dressage & Countryside Challenge events. Sion and his rider Georgia came first in Grade 1-6 Walk & Trot, gaining them a qualification for the Nationals. In the Grade 7 Walk & Trot Dressage Class, Sion and rider Di Field came 2^nd and also qualified for the Nationals. Jacqueline and Sion also went on to take 1st place in the Grade 1 Dressage class, ensuring yet another qualification spot for him in the National Championships.

Sion also gave several top three rides in the Virtual National Championships, placing 3rd in the Vaulting class & also placing 2nd within two other classes.

Most recently, just last week, Sion achieved a fantastic score of 70.71% whilst competing at the RDA Training Centre Regional qualifiers, securing yet another qualification for the National Finals, which are to be held at Hartpury Equine later this year.

 

 

As well as his superb competitive career, Sion was also selected to attend the Carriage Driving Sports Group Para Clinic, which was hosted at the Unicorn Trust based in Stow-on-the-Wold. Lisa Bartlett, Yard manager of the Cavalier Centre, stated 'He is a favourite amongst our carriage driving participants...he performed so beautifully & gave a real confidence boost to his drivers'.

 

In addition to being competitive within numerous disciplines, Sion's emotional intelligence & calm nature rises above all. Making him the perfect horse to visit former Colleague to the Cavalier Centre, Sam, whilst in palliative care at Severn Hospice, to provide much needed joy & comfort throughout the family's most difficult times, as well as other Patients at the Hospice.

 

 

 

 

 

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- HORSES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE -

 

 

 

Following several nominations for the title of RDA Horse of the Year, it is clear to see why Sion is so deserving of the Super-Cob title, and why he is such a valued member within the team of horses that help to provide the incredible opportunity for Equestrianism & horses to be enjoyed by all.

Lisa observed that the Cavalier Centre relies upon horses that are totally unflappable, maintain personality on the ground, but most of all enjoy their ridden career.

'They are truly magical creatures that we know are hard to come by; making it so important to remember how precious each of our wonderful horses are'.

 

 

 

 

 

THE CAVALIER CENTRE

 

Founded in 1995, Jane Barker founded the Perry Riding for the Disabled Group from her North Shropshire home, due to local Children being unable to access RDA sessions anywhere else in the county. Beginning with just two ponies & four helpers, as donations & demand increased, the Group also expanded & began utilizing Carriage Driving & Vaulting within the Group.

After outgrowing its original site the Centre relocated to its current premises in Much-Wenlock & was re-opened in April 2019 by HRH The Princess Royal, after the mammoth task of raising £1.4 million to build the fully accessible State of the Art Facilities that the Cavalier Centre now proudly calls home.

Since opening, the Centre maintains its Ethos that 'Horses Make the Difference' and continues to offer a diverse range of inclusive lessons, therapies & opportunities, thus opening the access door to Equestrian Sport & Therapies even wider.

Alongside its Trustees, the Centre relies upon its Army of over 120 dedicated & Hard-working Volunteers & Staff in order to continue to provide the very highest level of care to both their Human & Equine counterparts.

 

 

- CLICK HERE FIND OUT MORE -

 

 

 

 

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