As part of Horse & Hound's 130th birthday celebrations, we will be supporting and promoting good causes via regular online round-ups of events being run by the equestrian community
Riding school for the disabled raises funds for vaulting barrel
Borden Riding School for the Disabled in Kent has raised £300 for a new vaulting barrel, thanks to an open day last month (20 September).
Visitors watched the school’s eight disabled students give dressage, showjumping and vaulting demonstrations.
The Local Authority-funded school was set up three years ago by Sherrilee Rodgers.
Caleb Griffiths, 13, is the school’s main vaulter and is in a local team with two able-bodied riders. The team has a Portuguese instructor and does demonstrations at equestrian centres.
“Vaulting helps improve coordination, balance and stamina. We are hoping to get Caleb sponsored; his dream is to get on a GB vaulting team,” said Mrs Rodgers.
For more information visit www.bordenridingschool.co.uk
Golf tournament raises funds for injured jockeys
A record number players including jockeys took part in this year’s Professional Jockeys Association/Racing UK Pro Am Golf tournament on 22 September.
The day raised more than £4,500 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
There were 21 teams in the tournament, which took place at Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire.
Among the 25 jockeys past and present taking part were AP McCoy, Carl Llewellyn, Aidan Coleman and Brendan Powell.
The Tradesmen team led by ex-jockey and TV presenter John Francome and including Philip Lewis, John Thompson and Gary Lowe were the winners.
Jodie Mogford was top individual jockey and racing photographer Dan Abraham produced the longest drive of the day.
Craig Thompson was the individual winner of the tournament, with Jimmy McCarthy producing the “nearest the pin” shot.
Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association said he was “thrilled that so many people — jockeys and guests — took part in the golf day.”
For more information visit www.injuredjockeys.co.uk
Countdown to Macmillan charity race
Entries are now open for the Macmillan charity race on 13 June 2015.
12 riders take part in a 9f race around the Knavesmire at York racecourse.
The riders each must pledge at least £2,500 to the charity but this year’s dozen raised a record £90,000.
Peter Fahey, the 19-year-old son of Malton trainer, Richard, raised the highest sum with £13,257 donated as a result of his efforts.
Froot Atkins, 56, posted a welcome £12,234 to the kitty.
The field for next year’s race will be announced in December.
For more information visit: www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
Channel 4 Racing interviews Judi Dench
Channel 4 Racing last month visited East Park Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Group to interview patron Dame Judi Dench about her involvement in the RDA group.
Last year Dame Judi gave the RDA group based at Little Brook Equestrian, Lingfield, her ex-racehorse Smokey Oakey for retraining.
The cameras filmed her watching an RDA lesson and taking the children to see her horse in his stable.
She was then interviewed by racing presenter Nick Luck while Smokey Oakey was schooled in the manege, showing how his retraining was progressing.
“Today was a chance for us to show the breadth and depth of the RDA’s work,” said Sally Anne O’Neill, Little Brook’s owner and long-serving RDA volunteer.
“We are hoping Smokey Oakey can be retrained to be a top class RDA horse for para riders in dressage and showjumping,” she added.
For more information visit: www.eastparkrda.org
Raceday in aid of Combat Stress
A Family and Armed Forces raceday is being held at Wincanton racecourse on 26 October to raise funds for Combat Stress.
Racegoers will be entertained by music from two military bands and the pop group Bare Jams.
Local Keystone micro brewery is organising a beer festival at the raceday.
The Horse Trust is putting on a display of military horses and there are other demonstrations planned.
As the raceday falls in half-term week there will be plenty of children’s entertainments.
The day is the culmination of ongoing fundraising events in aid of Combat Stress which includes a silent auction (to view the 74 lots visit www.galabid.com/auction/wincanton) and a “Salute to Combat Stress” selfie campaign.
The aim is for people to take a selfie of themselves giving a British salute (Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy style) and donate to Combat Stress by texting SALU73 to 70070 and post on Twitter or Facebook to encourage others to donate.
For tickets visit www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk
For more information about Combat Stress visit: www.combatstress.org.uk
