About Matthew

Matthew Dalley from Derbyshire with some disabilities such as ADHD, Autism, some learning difficulties. He is a profoundly deaf sign language user which means he could not talk or lip read very well and significant muscle weakness and co-ordination problems.

He went to a local Riding for the Disabled Centre at the age of six for first time which it is currently based at Scropton in Derbyshire, his passion started with horses started with a leader and sidewalkers, progressing to be a independent rider with walk, trot and canter and also jumping as well as competing at the centre and RDA competitions.

Matthew enjoyed some Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country (Hunter Trials), now classified Grade lll in Para Dressage and Grade l in Para Showjumping. He also enjoyed competing with RDA, Special Olympics, British Dressage and British Showjumping at local, regional and national level.

His achievements includes such as:

• British Para Showjumping - National Grade ll Champion in 2015 & 2018

• Special Olympics National Equestrian Competition 2013 - Two Gold’s & Silver Medals

• Dressage Anywhere - RDA Online Championship Show 2018, Grade 4 Gold Medal

• RDA Young Volunteer of the Year 2016

• RDA UK Volunteer of the Year 2023

His team members behind him are keen to help him to achieve his goals every week and made such a big difference to his career over many years.

Matthew is a very dedicated Riding for the Disabled volunteer at Scropton Riding for the Disabled Centre to support the centre with running their social media channels which he was great with computer skills. He is currently heavily involved with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) as the Regional Publicity Officer for RDA’s North Midlands region. He was also appointed to support the region as the participant representative which he supported regional participants and volunteers from 2014-2023.

Matthew was named the RDA Young Volunteer of the Year award as well as Derby Telegraph Sports Awards Volunteer of the Year in 2016. He also won the RDA UK Volunteer of the Year 2023 award.