Two national charities have received donations totalling over £8,000 raised through activities held during this year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF) collected £1,700 at its 21st Anniversary launch at The Horse Trials and received a further £6,000 sponsorship money from the Burghley Sponsored ride – an annual fun ride that takes place in Burghley Park on the Sunday during the Horse Trials. The popular event attracts over 200 riders to the park.

“As last year’s ride was cancelled due to the wet conditions this year brought in more riders than ever to raise this wonderful amount and special thanks should go to that event’s sponsors – Virbac Equimax Eraquell and Horse & Rider and Pony magazines,” said Rosemary Lang, the National Co-ordinator for the MDIRF which provides help, advice and financial support to riders injured and who are unable to work or look after themselves.   The Fund’s Poundcatcher Campaign aims to raise at least a pound from everyone involved with horses over the coming year and still needs more help to ensure it can continue to be there in times of need.

The East Anglia Air Ambulance received a cheque for £1,000 raised by octogenarian
Betty Powell through her organisation of the Concours D’Elegance (driving competition) held at Burghley on the Sunday. “The air ambulance service is run solely by donations, none of us know when we might need them – the service definitely saved the life of my granddaughter this year,” said Betty Powell, a regular visitor at the Trials for the last 49 years.

Next year Burghley Horse Trials will be celebrating its fiftieth consecutive running of the event. The organisers have managed to stage the trials each year since its inception in 1961, including in 2001 when foot-and-mouth disease forced the cancellation of many other show and events, and most memorably in 2008 when wet conditions threatened to force the first cancellation.

Next year’s Trials will take place from 2 – 5 September 2010.
For further information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk  or contact press office on 01458 250200.

We are delighted this year to be joining forces with the All England Polo Club, Hickstead, and combining our fundraiser with their ball.

The legendary end of season party promises to be the biggest and best yet, so come and join us at Hickstead and raise a glass of Pommery to celebrate our 21st anniversary.
 
 

Tickets are limited so to ensure you place please click here to download the booking form.

MDIRF Ambassador, Matt Baker

Last Sunday (15 November), BBC Country File viewers witnessed Matt Baker’s fall  from a horse whilst filming a piece riding out in the Lambourn area.  As  one of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund’s Ambassadors, Matt was quick to point out to camera that his body protector is worth its weight in gold; and telephoned the charity the day after his fall:

“It shows you how falls can happen just like that and to anyone.  I escaped with a cracked vertebra and am just a bit sore.  But yet again it made me think that others often aren’t so lucky and that everybody needs to be supporting our ‘Poundcatcher’ campaign to ensure The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund can continue to pick up the pieces of those in need.”

The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund will be the official charity of the Champions Tour.

For further details on tickets etc please visit their website www.thechampionstour.co.uk

 “The message is definitely getting across that the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund is the only UK charity which helps all those injured in horse-related accidents and in need (outside of racing) – not just at top level competition and not just in eventing.   However, only a fraction of our Poundcatcher  fundraising target has been reached to date,” explains Zara Phillips, patron of The Fund.   

“All those involved with horses, in any shape or form, will acknowledge the risks and that accidents could so easily happen to them.  So we would appeal to everyone to make a donation if they can.” ends Zara.

Readers can support the Campaign by:

• Choosing the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund Christmas cards this year.  Prices start at £4.50 for a pack of 10 with a choice of 4 equestrian designs.  Order forms can be found at www.mdirf.co.uk
• Purchasing raffle tickets at all the events on ‘The Champions Tour’ – the series of entertaining lecture demonstrations by Geoff Billington and Oliver Townend held at various venues throughout Ireland, Scotland and England in November 2009 and January 2010. www.thechampionstour.co.uk/ 
• Encouraging their riding club, pony club, livery yard or riding school to organise their own fundraising events.  Ideas and tips for fundraising can be find in the guide available for download from http://www.mdirf.co.uk/support-us/organise-your-own/
• Donating on-line at http://www.justgiving.com/Poundcatcher-mdirf/

Since it’s inception in 1988, the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund has provided well over a million pounds’ worth of help to injured riders and their families in need.

Recent examples of people in genuine need who have received assistance from The Fund include:

• a 27 year old polocrosse player and former PA, who suffered a bleed on the brain 3 years ago and who The Fund is helping to retrain as a nursery nurse
• and a riding instructor who suffered a back injury and had reached the limit of his medical insurance.                     

Matt was joined by the Charity’s Patron, Zara Phillips and representatives from various companies and organisations who have pledged their support, including Your Horse Magazine and Your Horse Live.

As well as hosting the launch, The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials also raised over £1600 from collection boxes at the event and will also be making additional contributions from course walks and their sponsored ride.

Commented Rosemary Lang, Co-ordinator for The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund:
“Poundcatcher has generated a lot of interest and goodwill.  We had one of our busiest Burghley’s on the stand with takings from our trading on the stand very healthy and many visitors saying they would be going to Your Horse Live and supporting us there as well.  Matt Baker was under much demand for autographs and Sky Sports Presenter, Alex Quinn will also be helping to spread the word at The Horse of the Year Show next month.

There is a whole generation of younger riders who are unaware that The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund exists.  That’s why we are hoping to get riding clubs, riding schools and pony clubs to come on board over the next 12 months with their own fundraising efforts and contributions to Poundcatcher,” ends Lang.

In the meantime, on-line donations can be taken now by clicking here.

• A new Poundcatcher campaign appealing to all riders and handlers to donate at least £1 each.

Explains Sarah Bullen, The Fund’s Chairman:    “The latest statistics* show that over 40% of people in Britain have an interest in some aspect of equestrianism and the incidence of injury remains high.  Everyone handling  horses is aware of the associated risks and no matter how careful they are, accidents can occur and could happen to every single one of us – whether or not we ride just for fun, work with competition horses, compete at any level or look after horses, but don’t actually ride.
“In recognition of this, we are asking the entire equestrian community to come on board and support us reach our target of a quarter of a million pounds.  With 4 million plus riders out there at the last count, we believe that has to be achievable and this means the Charity can continue to be here for anyone involved with horses who becomes injured and is in need as a result of a horse-related accident.”

• The recruitment of a team of 21st Anniversary Ambassadors including BBC Country File’s Matt Baker, Sky Sports Presenter, Alex Quinn and ‘King of the Jungle’, Christopher Biggins who will all be helping to spread the word.

Commented Matt Baker:  “Thinking back to the moment I dislocated my shoulder and cracked two ribs in the run up to Only Fools on Horses, or the taste of the Australian outback’s dirt as my horse literally left me for dust, I do sometimes wonder what it is that keeps me riding. But I’m still here and I’m still throwing myself headlong into any equestrian experience on offer.

“It’s great to know that whoever you are and whatever your involvement with horses, that the Fund is there for all kinds of support.  For all the money that is spent on our sport, a pound is not much for the peace of mind that the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund will be there for you, should you need them,” ends Matt.

• A new Fundraising Guide – full of ideas and tips for individuals and riding clubs or organisations to run their own fundraising events and support The Poundcatcher campaign.   The new guide can be downloaded here.

• Other, centrally organised fundraising events which include:  a planned On-line auction of ‘money-can’t-buy-experiences’ aimed at the horse enthusiast and offering some unusual Christmas present ideas; as well as participation at Your Horse Live (14-15 November, Stoneleigh) where the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund will be the official charity.
      
“We would like to thank The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials for giving us the opportunity to announce our plans here and for donating a share of the proceeds from their course walks and Sponsored Ride.  We also welcome the support of all our founding commercial partners (below) and we hope other businesses, organisations and clubs will come on-board to support our cause over the coming months,” ends Sarah Bullen.

Riders and their families and friends can donate on-line by clicking the live link on the website (http://www.justgiving.com/Poundcatcher-mdirf/) or at Your Horse Live and via any of their official Poundcatcher partners:  www.yourhorse.co.uk; www.burghley-horse.co.uk; www.britishgrooms.org.uk ; www.horseboxworld.com; www.horserequisites.co.uk; www.dodsonandhorrell.com; www.HorseVideoAnalysis.com and www.sciencesupplements.co.uk .

At The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

Headliner Poundcatcher Campaign aims to raise at least £1 from everyone involved with horses

The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund – the only UK charity which helps all those injured in horse-related accidents and in need  – is 21 this year and is appealing to all riders and handlers to donate at least £1 each –  with an innovative Poundcatcher campaign.

The 21st Anniversary will be launched at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on 3 September when details of the Campaign and other planned anniversary activities will be announced.  A share of the proceeds from course walks and Burghley’s sponsored ride will be donated to The Fund.

Various celebrities including BBC Country File’s Matt Baker ; Sky Sports Presenter, Alex Quinn and ‘King of the Jungle, ’ Christopher Biggins will be helping to spread the word.  Matt will be on the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund trade stand (H1) on Thursday 3 September to meet spectators and sign autographs.

Explains Rosemary Lang, The Fund’s Co-ordinator:    “Every rider and handler of horses is aware of the associated risks and no matter how careful they are, accidents can occur and could happen to every single one of us.  In recognition of this, we are asking the entire equestrian community to come on board and support us.

“We would like to thank all our founding commercial partners (below) and hope other businesses and organisations will come on-board to spread the word over the coming months,” ends Lang.

To donate on-line click here  or at Your Horse Live (14/15 November 2009) and via any of our official Poundcatcher partners:  www.yourhorse.co.uk; www.burghley-horse.co.uk; www.britishgrooms.org.uk ; www.horseboxworld.com; www.horserequisites.co.uk; www.dodsonandhorrell.com; www.HorseVideoAnalysis.com and www.sciencesupplements.co.uk .     

For general information regarding The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and ticket information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk

Laura's team of channel Swimmers

Last week, Cardiff University student, Laura Beth-Pilkington, combined her two favourite sports – swimming and horse riding – when completing The Tri-Service Channel Swim in aid of The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund.

She was one of a six strong team from the Wales University Territorial Army competing against a Navy, Army and RAF teams. Laura is studying Medicine at Cardiff and her team mates were all students from universities in Wales.

Explaining her choice of charity, Laura said:  “As well as swimming, I enjoy riding and had been having show-jumping lessons with the late Ian Olding from Sandbach who tragically died in an eventing fall earlier this year.  I had grown up with him  through Pony Club and competing at local events and when I found out about his accident it was devastating and so real.  I wanted to do something, in Ian’s memory, to help other riders.”
 
The Swim took place on 21st of July and each of the six team members had to swim for an hour at a time, rotating. Laura was the first swimmer of her team and herself swam three times to contribute to a finishing time of 13 hours and 7 minutes.  For Laura, it was the culmination of 12 months’ training and preparation which had included a 5km race in Lake Bala and open water training sessions in the sea.
“We were swimming into strong winds for the last part and it felt like I was on a treadmill sprinting but getting nowhere.  The Officials said that a lot of teams would have turned around, the weather was so atrocious.”
So far, Laura and her team have raised over £500 for The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund but anyone inspired to donate more can email her at lbpilkington@hotmail.com.