Pro-Celebrity Polo (Cowdray Park, Sussex; 26 June)

This year the new venue for this annual event was the magnificent setting of Cowdray Park.  Our pro-celebrity  teams were:

Group Clean:  Lt Commander Al Wilson, Richard Dunwoody, Sam Thomas, Peter Woods
Transllloyd:  Otis Ferry, Lucinda Green, Charlie Talbot Baker, Sgt Toby Horn
Food Furniture:  Katie Price, Andrew Gould, Oscar Lawry, L/Bdr Peter Fry
Asian Woman:  Sehr Ahmed, Lila Person, Charlie Mann, Sgt Kevin Britton

Throughout all the matches, everyone commented on the high standard all the players achieved, considering for some it was their first attempt at Polo. The runners up final resulted in a win for Translloyd and then the final took place between Group Clean and Asian Woman with a resounding win for Group Clean made possible by a fantastic goal from Richard Dunwoody. Lord Sebastian Coe presented the prizes to all the teams.

There was plenty for everyone to do throughout the day, the now renowned Silent Auction offering many “money can’t buy” lots, the fun fair, a shopping village with over 30 varied stands, also Pedigree kindly sponsored the Dog agility challenge run by Barrie Harvey, this provided endless fun for all the dogs and their owners who took part.

At 3pm everyone was treated to a spectacular high goal match between Talandracas and Atlantic Capital with Talandracas winning 15- 12. Both teams were scheduled to go on to participate in the Gold Cup Tournament later in the summer. This match showed everyone the wonderful skills of the players at this level and their fantastic ponies and has inspired all the celebrity players to raise their standard and return next year.

We would like to thank everyone who supported the day in so many different ways – without you all it would not have been possible.  Please Watch This Space for next year’s date at Cowdray Park.

Title: Charity Golf Day
Location: Wildwood Golf Club, near Guildford, Surrey

Friday 18th September 2009

Thank you to everybody who participated in and supported this year’s event, particularly our Trustee, Edmund O’Reilly Hyland who kindly donated the use of his lovely golf course and Clubhouse Carvery www.wildwoodgolf.co.uk

A great, competitive day was had by all and we hope to be able to repeat this event next year.

MDIRF golf day (Wildwood Golf & Country Club, Surrey, 19 September 2008)

Before teeing off the 40 players enjoyed coffee and bacon rolls. Everyone was in good spirits mainly due to the sunshine and the course being in pristine condition.

After finishing their rounds, the teams arrived back in the clubhouse and headed straight to the bar for a cold drink followed by a delicious three course meal and finally the prizegiving. Translloyd Developments were the winning team, Edmund O’Reilly Hyland presented the prizes.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped and a big thank you to Jane Louis-Hobbs who organised the day which ran smoothly. We raised £2300 for the fund.

Pre-olympic Barbury supports MDIRF (4-6 July 2008, Barbury Castle) http://www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk/

Despite the rainy weekend, world class shone through at The 2008 St. James’s Place Barbury International Horse Trials where the MDIRF was the official charity,  represented  on the trade stand.

Our thanks go to Mitsubushi, who once again kindly provided a Colt CZ1 3 door worth £6,250.00 in the Roll-a-Dice competition and a silent auction and raffles were also held on the stand, whilst spectators enjoyed world class eventing action with superlative spectator viewing at this prestigious venue in the Wiltshire Downs, near Marlborough.

Australian and British Olympic team members dominated the Barbury placings  – as it turned out, a taste of what was to come in Hong Kong where they took the silver and bronze team medals, both only to be beaten by a very impressive, Germany.   In the Barbury finale it was local, Devizes -based Australian team member, Lucinda Fredericks who took top honours with her little mare, Headley Britannia.