Alex grew up surrounded by ponies and volunteered for the RDA as a teenager.  She resumed volunteering (after a career in book publishing and raising her children) in 2012 when she also agreed to take over as Ride Leader in St Mary Bourne.  She now oversees the Children’s Rides and continues to act as Ride Leader on Tuesday mornings as well as helping with the pony care at Spring Meadow.  Her vision is to bring the wonderful benefits, both mental and physical, of interaction with horses to as many participants as possible and to ensure that our volunteers and riders enjoy their experiences with Andover RDA to the maximum.  

I've been involved with a number of local charities for more than 40 years which has included being the honorary treasurer of the Andover RDA for the last 12 years. My life as treasurer has been very straightforward, having inherited  a financially sound organisation from my predecessors. I never cease to be impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of  everyone I have met who has been involved with the RDA and I never cease to be amazed at the apparently unquestioning generosity of the horses and ponies towards their riders. So I consider myself to be greatly privileged to have had the opportunity to be involved, albeit in a very minor way, with Andover RDA.

Having recently retired from full time working, I'm now enjoying a variety of volunteer roles and am delighted to have hit the sweet spot with Andover RDA enabling me to help children enjoy the experience of riding whilst also using my IT experience to support Alex, the Trustees, Members and Supporters.

Pauline has owned and ridden ponies and horses for most of her life, she joined Andover RDA as a trustee in late 2019 and is focused on the smooth running of the administration and finance functions of the group.

She is also a member of the fundraising committee.

I have been riding since I was young, loved Pony Club and moved on to eventing as a teenager. Career and family took over but now retired I am able to resume riding and spend time with the RDA helping and enjoying the journey our riders go on. 

A lifelong passion for animals, Maureen learnt to ride at a young age with all her pocket money spent on lessons.  She joined Andover RDA in 2014, after a career in teaching, and is now a Coach, Coach Co-ordinator, Trustee and part of the horse care team.

I've been around horses most of my life and have had knowledge of the great work that the RDA do for people.  I have worked in Education since 1992 but became the Head teacher at Icknield school in January 2017. Icknield is a small school in Andover for children (3 years old up to 19 years of age) with severe learning difficulties. When I started work there, I soon got to see the fabulous work of the RDA first hand and saw what a benefit it brought to so many children. I have recently moved in to the area to be closer to school and was asked to be a trustee. I hope that I can bring a school's perspective and the knowledge and contacts I have with the parents, children and other local schools. I am looking forward to seeing how I can help such a great organisation.

Hello I’m Penny Wilkins.  I’ve been helping Andover RDA for 31 years and organising the adult ride for 29 after a career as a reporter and later a national newspaper sub editor.  Since being involved with RDA my own horses have always helped too.  One, Monty, was awarded a long service medal.

Rosie grew up in Wales and rode regularly as a youngster, before moving to London to study medicine.  After qualifying and training as GP, she eventually moved with her husband to Hampshire, where she worked at the Andover Health Centre for over 27 years and brought up three children. 
Rosie has cared for an RDA horse in Abbotts Ann in the past, and in 2022 decided to apply as a volunteer with the Andover group. She was then invited to join the Trustee board. Rosie helps with the Adult and Children’s ride on Monday and Tuesday mornings. She has found spending time with the riders and ponies very rewarding and would encourage others who are considering volunteering to join us!