The Birt Spooner Award
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 20
Celebrating Hard Work, Determination and Success
The 2025 Para driving squad has just returned from the World Championships held in Lahden, Germany in December 2025, with the team bronze medal. A terrific result - testament to the Squad’s resilience, dedication, and determination to succeed. This nomination for the Birt Spooner Award is in recognition of the collective inspiration this group has been in encouraging more people with disabilities to experience the freedom and therapeutic benefits of driving as well as lasting service to the RDA community over many years. This has been done behind the scenes with individuals, with RDA groups as well as through their stimulating training, displays and competitive performances.
Team member Deb Daniel, was competing in her 7th World Championship. She is the most decorated GB Para Driver, to date, and has been awarded the FEI Gold Badge of Honour. Deb started driving through the Perry RDA Group and was the treasurer for the Perry Group for over 10 years, prior to it becoming the Cavalier Centre. Deb was a pioneer in the very early days when the RDA first offered driving, being a "guinea pig " for a demonstration at the RDA championships at a time when it only catered for riding. What progress from those early days, and how fitting that Deb was asked to do a demonstration at the RDA Championships this year. Deb is a Trustee for the CDSGdd charity and will continue to be an Ambassador for drivers with disabilities and hopes to keep involved as a mentor encouraging drivers to strive for their goals.
Jayne Macgarvie was competing in her 2nd Championships, the first as a team member. Living near Aberdeen, she has shown exceptional commitment, using all holiday for two years in pursuit of training and excellence. Her Garioch RDA group have been invaluable to her both in coaching and support in driving and also in fundraising activities. After her bronze medal success, they posted on social media, " We are all very proud. On hearing the news, present and past Garioch coaches all had to wipe away a little tear." Jayne attends regularly to support and chat to members and hopes to become an RDA coach soon.
The third team member, Emily Ham from Wales, came up through the British Young Drivers with success nationally and internationally. She was assessed as a Grade 1 Para driver in 2023. This was her 2nd Championships. She has helped for many years as a qualified UKCC coach and RDA volunteer. She is a keen supporter at events, including camps, and also actively promotes driving as an inclusive sport through her journalism.
Commenting on the team performance trainer Robert Buck said “I was privileged to work alongside many dedicated souls in support of the GB Para Driving Team 2025. Encouraging and developing advanced skills within Drivers and their Ponies which allowed them to blossom and bloom, resulting in a medal. The Squad is a perfect example of camaraderie, resilience, and strength; passionate about their sport and determined to inspire future generations to compete to the highest level of their abilities.”
