Elgin High School pupil wins every dressage championship in the UK for her grade in RDA national championships
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AN Elgin High School pupil who is meeting lifelong health challenges head-on has achieved huge success at national horse riding events.
Having learned to ride with Forres, Nairn and District Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in 2013, Kyla Mantilla Ross (16) has excelled in dressage competitions over 2022, winning every championship in the UK for her grade.
Local RDA chairwoman, Sonia Howell, is thrilled with her development and achievements.
She said: "After attending our weekly term-time riding sessions some nine years ago, Kyla got her own pony.
"We are absolutely delighted that she has done so well, and we are very proud of her."
Kyla has faced challenges since birth. Having been born prematurely at 24 weeks, weighing just 520g, she spent five months in intensive care.
She has excess of fluid on the brain, combined with impaired motor skills, making co-ordination of her limbs more challenging. Her memory and processing speed is also impacted.
"She has to work so hard to overcome these challenges," said Sonia. "We are delighted that Kyla chose to represent our group in RDA affiliated competition."
After winning the Grade 3 RDA Regional Championship at Cranloch this June, Kyla qualified her for the National Championships in Hartpury in August. Due to extreme weather on the day, her ride in person was cancelled, but thanks to modern technology, it was submitted virtually. She won, becoming RDA UK National Junior Champion for Grade 3.
The youngster then went on to win the RDA Scottish Championships in Glasgow and the RDA Virtual Winter Championships.
Kyla has now progressed to competing as a para athlete in British Dressage (BD) competitions, winning her first in Aberdeen in November and qualifying for the BD Para Championships in Lancashire this coming February.
Forres, Nairn and District RDA delivers weekly, term-time therapeutic riding sessions for children with disabilities from local schools. Their progress is monitored and reflected in a certificate at the end of the school year.
Kyla’s mother Lorna, is proud of her daughter's progression with RDA's help.
She said: "To begin with, the main benefits that were noticeable from riding related to coordination and balance. Having to learn right from left, and the impact of movement on the right rein versus the left rein, and then right rein and leg together, had a positive impact on her abilities outside of riding. Riding has taught her subconsciously where her core is, strengthening the muscles that many of us take for granted to keep us upright when in motion."
Sonia firmly believes Kyla is a shining example of how much can be achieved through RDA's sessions.
She finished: "Next year, she will be competing as a senior, and we are so proud that she will continue to compete under our banner.
"If any of our volunteers have doubts about their hard work on a cold Monday morning, all they have to do is think of Kyla and all the smiling faces we see!"
Instruction from RDA's qualified instructors on carefully chosen and well-trained ponies is designed to meet children’s individual needs and abilities, contributing to their physical and mental wellbeing.
Volunteers act as leaders for the ponies, side-walkers and fundraisers.
The group is the only one in the UK which does not make any charge to the riders or the schools, despite each session costing just under £700 per week. It does not receive any external funding and covers its expenditure through active fundraising.
More information at https://forresnairnrda.org.uk/
