The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund  would like to thank everyone who has made a donation or fundraised on our behalf.

We genuinely rely  entirely on your donations so please keep them coming, however big or small. THANK YOU.

 54000 people taking place in the UK’s biggest ½ marathon – what had I let myself in for?!

Over the last few years the organisers have had to contend with runners suffering from heat stroke – not a problem this year, as at 6am I opened my curtains to torrential rain. Yes having to get up at 6am in order to run 13 miles – wasn’t high on my list of priorities, but I’d said I’d do it, and I was going to see it through.

Fortunately I was running with 4 old university friends, so we rallied together and after fuelling up with breakfast – set off for South Shields where we were leaving the car.

It seemed sensible to leave early, park at the finish so we had the vehicle for when we were exhausted, but after parking and walking miles to get the shuttle bus to Newcastle, then miles to find the baggage bus which would take our gear to the finish then another mile to the start – it was starting to seem like this was becoming a marathon – not ½ – we were exhausted before the main event!

However excitement and anticipation did start to kick in as we made our way to our starting zone and saw the thousands of people already in the ‘holding pens’ warming up to the music. With the red arrows completing a fantastic formation fly by we were ready and willing to go, and as Ant and Dec got us started and began to greet people and read out the charities they were running for, it started to hit home how many charities rely on events like this for their income. The Prostate Cancer Charity (who I was running for) had their largest team ever, and with over 400 runners were hoping to raise over £280k from the day.

We finally crossed the start line at around 11.30am – almost an hour after it started (we were right at the back)! And so began the battle with the road – I was soon to find out that around 2/3 of the course is up hill. Not ideal for the guy in the full suit of armour, or the guy dressed as a donkey carrying a load of bricks, or for those from the army carrying their 15 kg packs.

The most memorable thing (part from the aching joints) was the mood of the runners and the crowd, everyone was there to help someone else, or remember a loved one – several runners had the name of a loved one on the back of their T-shirt so say who they were running for, which makes you remember why you’re doing it – and why its important. For me – this one was for the Dad’s, and for Ian and Robin – we miss you.

I’m still in awe of the gentlemen from the army who had run 23 marathons in 23 days, this one was his last 13 miles – I hope he enjoyed his beer at the end!

I’m extremely grateful to everyone’s support and thrilled to be able to say we’ve raised over £1000 for Prostate Cancer and the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone for your generosity, I know these charities will be extremely grateful and will put the money to good use.

For those that are interested – I did manage to run the whole way – which was my goal, and complete in 2.45 hrs – hopefully not bad for a beginner!

For those of you who are tempted for next year – Go for it, it’s a once in a lifetime.

Lincoln JumpCross Eventer’s Challenge 22^nd of June 2010

This year’s Lincoln JumpCross Eventer’s Challenge was a huge success and a great day had by all. Some of the top riders took up the challenge of competing at the fabulous JumpCross course at Grange Farm, Wittering including Oliver Townend, Piggy French, Clayton and Lucinda Fredricks and Angus Smales (last years winner).  The sunshine and relaxed atmosphere all helped in making the day run smoothly.

With 38 riders all competing for the £5000 prize fund and almost every jump in sight it was pure excitement for the spectators.

The final line up was as follows:

1^st Mark Kyle, Step In Time

2^nd Dan Jocelyn, Brookfield de Bouncer

3^rd Mark Todd, NZB Mouse

4^th Carol Pearson, Major Promise

5^th Ben Hobday, Not Just A Toy

6^th JP Sheffield, DHI Veni Vedi Vici

7^th Phoebe Buckley, Flash Gordon

8^th Jeanette Brakewell, Hope Cove

9^th Jo Chipperfield, On Your Marks

10^th Duarte Seabra, Fernhill Bertucelli

Throughout the day Lincoln raised money for The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund by holding an auction and raffle with fantastic prizes such as a lesson with Jeanette Brakewell around the JumpCross course, a lesson and yard visit with Piggy French, two tickets to Burghley which includes a course walk with Angus Smales, lesson with Nicola Sheard show jumper with the lesson being featured in Horse Scene Magazine, Fendi Sunglasses and much more.  There was also an opportunity to win an Nintendo Wii Console simply by having ago and trying to achieve the highest score! The total proceeds collected for this very worthy charity was £1,350.

For the first time, the All England Polo Club and The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund, joined forces to bring one of Hickstead’s legendary post-polo parties to a wider audience – at The champagne Pommery Ball on Saturday 13 March.

Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, followed by a sumptious four-course meal from Hickstead’s resident restaurateur’s, Brighton’s Due South (recently voted Best Seaside Restaurant in Britain), ending with a good old fashioned boogie to infamous local rock’n'roll band ‘In Yer Face’. A very successful raffle and auction, boasting holidays to Dubai, racing weekends, and an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the King’s Troop in London amongst others, saw the MDIRF raise thousands for their cause.

Having learnt the hard way in the past, Sunday’s chukkas were rescheduled, and with no excuse to go home early the revelry went on late into the night…

Geoff Billington and Oliver Townend teamed up to organise a series of fun, informative and entertaining lecture demonstrations at 14 Venues between November 2009 and January 2010.  The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund was the official charity of the Champions Tour.

Show rider, Wayne Cox and his cousin, Trevor from Milton Keynes will be making an ‘equine’ entry into the Barcelona Bangers rally, driving from Calais to Barcelona on 21-23 May 2010.

Wayne (who shows coloureds, mountain and moorlands and sports horses) and  Trevor plan to repaint and decorate their very old Volvo (Gloria) as a horse and dress up as riders to drive the 900 mile route in the 3 days.   Co-ordinating this equine team challenge and assisting in the car’s adaptations will be Jane Cox (Wayne’s wife) and Katie Ramsden who works for him.

“Luckily we have never had to use the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund ourselves but a very close friend of mine lost her life riding a very well behaved pony and you know that injuries can happen to even the best riders on the best horses,” explains Katie.

To be eligible, cars have to be worth no more than £200 but be completely road legal.  Wayne and Trevor are hoping their trusty Volvo will make it back home in one piece, when it will also be sold to raise money for the MDIRF.

Last year, the rally attracted over 60 entries, with only around 20 of them finishing.

To support Wayne and Trevor in this unusual fund raising venture, visit www.justgiving.com/wayne-cox.

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.

NEW-CONCEPT CALENDAR TO RAISE MONEY FOR MDIRF A new calendar featuring twelve beautiful pictures taken by professional photographer Pete Glowski of equestriennes imitating famous adverts and films with an equestrian twist, will go on sale from 7 December. Proceeds will be shared between Cancer Research UK and The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund. Priced at £7.99 (+ P&P) further details and how to purchase are available from Pete Glowski on 01494-870-397 or by email.

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.”

Title: Your Horse Live
Location: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
Link out: Click here
Description: This event will be raising money for our Poundcatcher campaign as our official charity.

It’s a great opportunity to enjoy two fantastic days of extensive shopping, advice, live entertainment and celebrity demonstrations. The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund will be on Stand 231. We hope to see you there.

Start Date: 2009-11-14
End Date: 2009-11-15