Hoveringham helps riders raise money for paralysed people.
On Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th February 2007 the 7th Annual Dressage Competition in aid of Spinal Research was once again held at the Brackenhurst Equestrian Centre, hosted by Nottingham Trent University.
Bright sunshine and calm conditions were the order of the day for both days and the classes were full to bursting from first thing in the morning until long after the large orange sun had set in the west.
Our regular team of Hoveringham volunteers were all there bright and early to help - Jim and Ange Walters, Suzie Leuthwaite, Mark, Lindsay and Victoria Clifford and Joyce Allwood.
There was something for everybody, and every one turned up! In the morning - Shetland ponies ridden by seven year olds, who were kicking very hard, along with the more senior competitors on their young horses. In the afternoon - amateur riders were giving some professional riders on some very good horses a run for their money.
There was a definite buzz of excitement running throughout the two days of competition, no doubt partly because of the weather, partly due to the fabulous prizes and rosettes so generously provided by various local tack shops and partly no doubt because everyone knew that every penny raised was going to Spinal Research to help ordinary people who for one reason or another are paralysed.
Spinal Research has just opened a dedicated unit within the Neurological department of University College London. They have already taken in their first paralysed human volunteers for clinical safety trials, before embarking on the task of taking the successful results in the laboratory to the patient in the hospital. Not surprising therefore that such ground-breaking work requires a lot of funding.
So, many thanks to all our local sponsors :- Clifford & Sons Agricultural Engineers, Creative Interiors Ltd., Harrisons Garage, Lowdham Hairdressers, Oak Industrial Supplies Ltd., Yates Agricultural & General Engineers Ltd, The Marquis Inn, The Reindeer Inn and many businesses and shops in Southwell.
Your continuing support is vital for our fund raising efforts.
Riders, many of whom are local to this area, raised £900 in individual sponsorship, in addition to paying their entry fees, and as we go to press the final amount raised has yet to be confirmed but it looks like it will be near to £5500.
The competition has now raised a total of £28,000
What a fantastic result for a fantastic weekend.