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
Rider takes to the catwalk for air ambulance
Surrey rider Cass Lillington has raised over £1,000 for Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance at a fundraising fashion show on 24 November.
Cass, 59, from Cranleigh organised the fashion show and clothes sale in her local village hall with friends and professional models taking to the catwalk.
Last December Cass was thrown off her 16-year-old Irish cob Tigger in a remote location.
She suffered chest and abdominal injuries and was treated at the scene by the air ambulance’s doctor and paramedic before being flown to the Royal Sussex Country Hospital in Brighton.
“No lasting harm was done but I was a bit bashed about and it was very comforting to be whisked off to hospital by such a kind and professional helicopter crew,” she recalls.
Pat Murphy, a riding friend, wrote on her JustGiving page: “Cass, well done for raising this money for such a worthwhile cause which benefits many and especially us equestrians.”
To make a donation visit www.kssairambulance.org.uk
Ball raises funds for disadvantaged children to ride
Over £18,000 was raised for the Emile Faurie Foundation at a masquerade ball in East Sussex on 29 November.
The sell-out ball at Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex had a live and silent auction and raffle.
Auction prizes included a day at the races for two in the Royal Ascot Racing Club’s members area, and a visit for six people to go behind the scenes at the Household Cavalry mounted regiment.
“We raised more than we had hoped for and it stands us in good stead for 2015,” said Emile Faurie.
The charity he founded in 2006 provides funds for disadvantaged children in the UK to ride. It funds 30 projects throughout the UK and has six new schemes starting in 2015.
For more information visit www.emilefauriefoundation.org.uk
Point-to-point fundraiser for the IJF
A charity point-to-point race at Barbary Castle Racecourse last Sunday (7 December) raised over £15,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
The 12 riders taking part at the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders meeting were a mixture of aspiring and veteran jockeys.
The winner was Liz Ampairee riding the favourite First Mohican, who romped home 15 lengths in front of the other eleven runners.
“To ride a horse like First Mohican is just a dream come true and to win at Barbury whilst raising funds for the IJF is the icing on the cake. It was one of the best days of my life,” said Liz, who runs her own PR and marketing company.
She said she was “very grateful” to all the support from trainer Alan King and First Mohican’s owner Henry Ponsonby.
In second place was Pandora Bailey, 16, from Hungerford riding Offshore Account and in third was Tik Saunders, daughter-in-law of Grand National winning rider Dick Saunders, on board Royal Etiquette.
For more information visit www.injuredjockeys.co.uk
Jeweller helps the RDA
Hiho Silver is donating 15% of sales generated from its products listed in the Riding for the Disabled Association’s (RDA) web shop to the charity.
The Hiho Silver lines listed on the RDA web shop include sterling silver horseshoe earrings, the eggbut snaffle silver pendant necklace and silver bracelet.
“We’re very excited to be working with RDA. We hope the pieces selected will help to bolster their funds to help them carry on the excellent work they do,” said Emma Warren from Hiho Silver.
“Hiho Silver’s jewellery is a great addition to our web shop,” said the RDA’s Catherine Stuart.
To shop at the RDA web shop visit www.rdashop.org.uk
Riding instructor receives Prime Minister’s volunteering award
A 20-year-old student who battled against ill health to be able to teach children with disabilities to ride is the latest recipient of the Prime Minister’s points of light volunteering award.
Meryl Hanmer didn’t let an operation to remove three brain tumours in 2009 and being confined to a wheelchair for much of this year stop her volunteering at Llangeinor Hunt Pony Club.
She is a is a qualified riding and road safety trainer and a UK coaching certificate level 2 equestrian trainer.
“Meryl’s enthusiasm for her sport and passion for helping others has enabled children in South Wales to learn new skills and experience the joy of horse riding,” said Prime Minister David Cameron.
“Meryl even learnt sign language so she could teach young people with hearing difficulties. Meryl’s dedication makes her a very worth recipient of the Point of Light award.”
Katy Downing, youth coordinator for Riding for the Disabled Association said Meryl is “a very committed, dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer and has been a stand out candidate on the Young Equestrian Leaders award.”
Meryl has been involved with voluntary work since she was 12 years old and said it has “enriched my life enormously.”
She is the 172nd winner of the new award, which every day honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.
