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
Monty Roberts presents award
Horse whisperer Monty Roberts presented a volunteer at Bristol-based charity HorseWorld with an award for 44 years’ service last week (23 October).
Lin Horwood has been working with rescued horses at the charity’s farm in Whitchurch since she was 11 years old.
“I was very surprised but honoured to be presented with the certificate,” said Lin, who was named as an ambassador for the charity.
Recently she has been volunteering with HorseWorld’s discovery courses, helping young people who are outside of mainstream schooling.
“Lin is such a well-known face at HorseWorld and has been here longer than any of us,” said managing director Mark Owen.
“Her love for the animals and the bonds she has with them are something to be admired. She has a kind and gentle manner with the animals and they all trust her.”
New Irish Injured Jockeys Fund
An Irish Injured Jockeys charity has been launched, with Irish champion jockey Ruby Walsh as chairman.
The aim of the charity is to raise awareness and vital funds to provide for injured riders — similar to the Injured Jockeys Fund in Britain.
The launch of Irish Injured Jockeys took place one year after Limerick Charity Raceday, which was held in aid of two serious injuries sustained by Irish riders JT McNamara and Jonjo Bright in March 2013. The event raised €809,000.
Ruby said: “There are lots of ways that people can help through donation, fundraising, volunteering and shopping.”
Visit: www.irishinjuredjockeys.com.
National award for equine charity
Charity Ride High, set up six years ago by former event rider Rachel Medill, has been recognised in two national awards.
Rachel was one of the top 10 finalists in The Sunday Times Change Makers announced on 21 September.
The charity works with disadvantaged children in Milton Keynes helping 60-90 every week.
The children ride at Bryerley Springs Farm Equestrian Centre and stay with Ride High for up to two years.
This summer eight young people went on the first residential trip and there are outings to Olympia planned.
The charity has also been shortlisted in the top 30 of the Guardian Charity awards 2014. The five winning charities will be announced on 2 December.
“We take children that are beyond desperate to a place where they know they have a future. Horse’s are an unbelievable catalyst for this,” said Rachel Medill.
For more information visit www.ridehigh.org
Supporters club launched by Injured Jockeys Fund
The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) has launched a new supporters club.
The annual subscription of £40 includes a welcome pack, 10% discount on all IJF merchandise, tours of trainers’ yards and invitations to social events.
Special yard visits in 2015 include Nicky Henderson at Seven Barrows in Lambourn, and Andrew Balding at Highclere.
“Christmas sales are vital to the IJF and the supporters club offers an additional idea to add to our popular range of calendars, cards and gifts,” said Lisa Hancock of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
The IJF’s 50th Christmas card is a Roy Miller landscape and the calendar, a ‘Francome’s Flashbacks’.
There is also a new Aintree legends range: to view the full catalogue visit www.ijf.org.uk
Former jockey back in the saddle
A jockey paralysed after a fall at Exeter racecourse in 2007 rode round the track again earlier this month (9 October) for charity.
The ride was the final challenge in Sarah Gaisford’s quest to raise £20,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
In September she completed a 10-mile ride across Dartmoor in aid of the IJF on Harvey, the cob she also rode at Exeter.
Sarah completed a circuit of the course at Exeter accompanied by IJF president and former jockey John Francome, Richard Pitman, trainers Philip Hobbs, Jeremy Scott and Victor Dartnall, and jockeys H&H blogger Nick Scholfield, Tom O’Brien and Brian Hughes.
She said she was “totally overwhelmed” by all the support and said the ride was her way of saying thank you to everyone who had helped her since the accident.
Liberty Trails provider of luxury riding holidays on Dartmoor supported Sarah on all her rides.
Sponsored drive
A coaching team from Wales completed a 58-mile charity autumn tour this month in aid of breast cancer.
The coaching team run by Dr Mary Lewis and Wayne Isaac set off on 17 October from Brecon reaching the Boars Head hotel in Carmarthen three days later.
The team started each day with their own four grey horses and changed them for Hackneys at lunchtime, on loan from Bill Ginns, president of the Coaching Club of Great Britain.
“We’ve already raised £4,000 and it looks as though it will have doubled by the time we’ve finished collecting,” said Dr Lewis, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago.
For more information email Dr Lewis at lewis.192@btinternet.com
Tim Stockdale to give World Horse Welfare demo
British showjumper Tim Stockdale is giving a demonstration at World Horse Welfare’s Norfolk centre on 5 November at 7pm.
Visitors will get an insight into his riding techniques and how he trains his horses for top-level competition.
Stockdale is bringing along three of his own horse who all compete at different levels.
The lecture demonstration ends with a question and answer session.
Adult pre-booked tickets are £20 and children £12, the price rises to £25 and £15 on the door at Hall Farm, Snetterton.
For more information visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org
