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Last year the show was a great success. Not long after it Beth underwent major spinal surgery which has had a lengthy recovery process. She spent most of last year’s money on physiotherapy to improve her strength and posture. This along with her determination meant that she was able to return to school a lot more quickly than her medical team had anticipated. Beth has very recently undergone further surgery and will require a lot more treatment to help her make the most from the operations. She aims to start studying for her GCSEs in September and those who know how determined she is are in no doubt that she will achieve this goal!

The show on Bank Holiday Monday aims to raise as much money as possible to make life just that little bit easier for Beth and her family.

There will be two arenas in operation throughout the day, starting at 9am. Ring One will run classes from 80cm up to 1.30 and there will be several speed and also power and speed classes to keep everyone on their toes. Ring two will cater for the less experienced combinations and classes will be from cross poles right up to 80cm. Both arenas are open to horses and ponies and the full schedule will be posted on the Meadows Equestrian Centre website.

As always there will be fantastic prizes up for grabs with confirmed sponsors to date including Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Pegus Horse Feeds, Dubarry Ireland, Honeyhill Rossettes, equinephotograpers.com,  Doagh Farm Feeds, Stonebridge Feeds, The Catch Ballynure, Baileys Feeds and Trotup.com along with several private donors. Anyone who enters two classes on the same horse or pony will be entered into the prize draw for the fabulous prize of a meal for two people at the renowned Clandeboye Lodge.

Beth’s family will again be providing teas, coffee, hot chocolate and fabulous home baking which is always well worth sampling!

For any further information please don’t hesitate to contact Anita on 07872026130

Vets castrate a young colt while the next candidate awaits his turn’. Hig resolution version available on request.

The BEVA Trust joined up with the BHS and SPANA this month to pilot two separate projects to help horse welfare at home and abroad. Seven veterinary volunteers assisted with a UK-based equine castration and microchipping day organised by the BHS, while in Morocco two volunteers provided valuable teaching support for SPANA’s veterinary teams.

The BEVA Trust is the British Equine Veterinary Association’s philanthropic arm and was established almost 50 years ago. Historically the bulk of its expenditure was small grants relating to travel and education but following a review last year the Trust’s focus has changed. BEVA members expressed a desire for the Trust to focus on voluntary veterinary participation in charitable welfare projects. The two pilot projects were very well subscribed with more than 40 vets volunteering their services for the limited places available.

Seven volunteer vets worked non-stop on the pilot castration and microchipping project in Hampshire earlier this month. BHS welfare officers identified local horses that needed gelding and/or microchipping and arranged the logistics for the day. Then vets gelded 28 colts and stallions and microchipped and issued passports for a total of 45 horses over the course of the day.

The initiative was an important trial run for further clinics proposed over the coming year. The scheme aims to educate owners, establish links with the veterinary profession, reduce accidental breeding and help with identification and traceability of horses. The BHS estimates that by holding 12 successful castration clinics they could prevent the birth of thousands of foals over the next two generations. In addition, working with horse owners to passport and microchip their horses will increase the number of horses being correctly identified.  Not only will this help to protect the food chain but it will also improve the traceability of fly-grazed and abandoned horses.

Martin Peaty of The Barn Equine Surgery in Hampshire was one of the volunteer vets. He said: “Unplanned and unwanted pregnancies contribute to an oversupply of foals and eventually unwanted horses, which is a major welfare issue.  In addition colts and stallions are more difficult to look after and find good homes for. It was great to be involved with like-minded colleagues in this project to help take positive action to tackle these problems.”

Lee Hackett, Director of Policy at the British Horse Society (BHS), continued: “Thanks to BEVA Trust vets our castration and microchipping project is set to make a real difference to Britain’s equine over-population problem, which is the root cause of the majority of the welfare problems we encounter.”

The second BEVA Trust project saw two vets flying out to Casablanca in Morocco to help provide teaching at SPANA’s Annual Congress. SPANA’s vets work in the field, often in challenging conditions with limited availability of expensive tools or medicines. Chris Pearce, who runs the Equine Dental Clinic in Dorset, lectured on dentistry. Caroline George of Lambourn Equine Vets taught wound management using lectures and a practical workshop.

Chris Pearce said: “We met vets from Mauritania, Ethiopia, Mali, Tunisia, Jordan and Zimbabwe as well as from Morocco – such lovely people and all trying to help the working equids of Africa. Thanks to SPANA and to BEVA Trust for their initiative and invitation – I wish I could have stayed longer.”

Jeremy Hulme, chief executive of SPANA, said: “We’re very grateful for the assistance given by BEVA Trust – and to Chris and Caroline for their fantastic contributions. We were delighted that they were able to share their knowledge, expertise and skills with our vets at our CPD event, improving their knowledge and skills to ensure that horses, donkeys and other working animals in some of the world’s poorest countries receive the high quality veterinary treatment they so desperately need.”

Julian Samuelson, Chairman of the BEVA Trust Committee said: “We are encouraged by the very positive response by BEVA members to the call for volunteers. BEVA will review the success of these pilot projects and consider continuing and expanding its support of this type of pro bono initiative.”

To find out more keep an eye on www.beva.org.uk.

David who is a 22 year old cycling enthusiast is travelling alone and unsupported for a month in order to raise money to help Jonjo continue to live as normally and independently as he can.  David said “I love adventure type holidays so it seemed like a really good idea.  I considered a few options like driving a banger car to Russia but when I discussed them with my Dad we decided they are too easy”

David is travelling to Cherbourg to start his adventure on the 1st May 2015 and would greatly appreciate any sponsorship for the cycle. He has a fundraising page on www.fundrazr.com which can be found by searching “Cycling for Jonjo Bright”.  David can also be contacted through Facebook for more information.

Click here to view our fundraising page for more information…

The National Equine Forum is an annual event bringing together representatives from all echelons of the equestrian industry, including government, equestrian sport, veterinary science and welfare. It has been running for 23 years and is organised by a committee of appointed volunteers, reflecting various sectors of the equestrian industry. The introduction of Honorary Fellow is a way of showing appreciation to those who have worked so hard to make the event the great success it is today.

The first recipients of the new title are past Conveners Professor Graham Suggett who was a part of the working party that founded the Forum and Air Commodore Miles Williamson-Noble, former Vice Chair Richard Matson, former Treasurer and Honorary Secretary Lt Col Gordon Wesley, former Joint Secretary Pauline Harris and former committee members Peter Clarke, Dr Harry Greenway, Rosemary Philipson-Stow and Antony Wakeham. As Honorary Fellows they will be entitled to attend the Forum each year, provide an informed but independent overview of NEF plans and progress and bring both wisdom and knowledge of precedent to the Organising Committee’s work.

Tim Brigstocke, chairman of NEF said: “The committee was unanimous in its decision to acknowledge the endeavours of past and retiring members, without whom the National Equine Forum would not have become the immensely popular and highly regarded event it is today.”

The full proceedings of the 2015 Forum will be available for download shortly at www.bef.co.uk on the National Equine Forum page. The 2016 National Equine Forum will be held on Thursday 3rd March at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Westminster, London.

The Club would like to thank all who supported the ride for Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary & £75 was raised on the day.

Terrence the Rooster

As always we have a number of animals who are waiting for a loving home to finally call their own, please forward this mail on to anyone you think may be interested in any of our residents below.

Terence the rooster is looking for a new home.

Having grown up with his brothers and sisters he now gets picked on by the other boys and has had to be separated from them. Do you have a flock of hens who could do with a man in their lives?

This beautiful boy (as yet unnamed) is a 5 year old, 15hh gelding. He is well handled but we are not sure if he has been ridden as we do not have enough hours in the day to assess him properly. If anyone would like to take him to work with him or even come up to the sanctuary to help work with him please contact us.

These two have had a few expressions of interest but no solid offers of new homes yet. Please share far and wide to help us get them a loving new home! They are good with people, kids and other dogs! They are also house trained.

Harriet

Harriet was found collapsed on the side of the road near to the sanctuary and is now looking for a special forever home to call her own.
She would like an indoor home with mature owners where she could (at times) be the centre of attention but also have her own space as she sometimes likes to keep herself company without being disturbed.

Raymond

Raymond is a 15.2hh, red&white, 14 year old gelding. He would make a lovely companion or possible light hack. He has a lovely nature and gets on well with other horses. He loves human attention and would love a home where he could be spoiled!

The Fonz

“The Fonz” is a 3 year old, 14:1 hh gelding. We have yet to assess him for handling and riding but if you are interested please get in contact.

Huckleberry

Huckleberry is a 5 year old gelding, around 14.2hh and currently unbroken but is well handled. He will make a lovely riding horse for someone. He is very intelligent and a real character!

Angel

When we rescued Angel she could barely walk due to her severley overgrown feet – our farrier didnt think they had ever received any care….

Teddy

Teddy came to us after running wild at a local forest park and was quickly running out of time as everyone else who tried to catch him couldn’t get close enough and were running out of options despite their best efforts.

Angel and Teddy are a very special re-homing case as they must go together. Having both come in to us in a very bad state, they have bonded so well together that we do not intend to separate them. If you would be interested in offering them a home together please contact us.

Angel and Teddy would like to be re-homed together

Mr Rex Humphries receiving cheque for £1000 from Route Hunt for RDA Coleraine

Saturday 14^th March was the last hunt of the 2014/2015 season for The Route hunt .Hunt members and friends gathered at Ballylagan Equestrian Centre  and enjoyed refreshments provided by Martin & Frances Mellet of Jazz Horses. Before setting off a cheque for £1000  was presented  to Mr Rex Humphries President of RDA Coleraine. Mr Humphries expressed his thanks and appreciation for the generous donation which would help fund the worthwhile work of RDA Coleraine. At 12.30 pm the hunt set off for the first round of the gallop at Ballylagan under the leadership of the Rockwood Harriers hunt master who was visiting the Route Hunt for the day.

Emma Louise Murray on Paddy in flight over the gallop logs

There was then another gallop lead by hunt member Eamon O’Connor for numerous more jumps. Having completed the jumps at Ballylagan the hunt went for a short hack to   Mr Humphries farm. Here there were numerous fences, bales, ditches, hedges and laneways. Several riders parted company with their horses  but all were able to remount and carry on. By 3.30pm the majority of riders had been out long enough and had jumped enough fences  so they returned to Ballylagan for further freshments and to discuss the events of the day.

Lesley McDowell on Charlie in flight over the gallop logs

A few stayed out for longer but  managed to part company with their horses and ended up with cuts and bruises and jodphurs and jackets  needing  several hours steeping to get them ready for next season. Thanks goes to Huntsman Jonny Butler and  the Jazz Horses team for setting up the day and to Rex Humphries for the use of his land and Martin Mellett for the use of Ballylagan. The hunt members and committee thank all those involved in setting up this seasons hunts and the farmers and landowners who allow the hunt the use of their land.

If anyone has any free time and would be willing to help with the set up of meets for next season or if you have fallen stock for the hunt then  contact the huntsman Jonny Butler on 07845810563.

The next Route Hunt event  will be  hunter trials held at Maddybenny equestrian centre on Sunday 26th April 2015.The course will be as used by Eventing Ireland on Saturday 25^th April so as well as being a great training ground with lots of prizes and rosettes up for grabs it should also be a fun day for all.

When:      18 – 24 May 2015

Where:     Online at www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS

What:       A short, anonymous snapshot survey about your horse’s health

Why:           To help safeguard the future health and welfare of our horses and ponies

The National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) is an important annual survey run by leading charity Blue Cross, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association. It’s a unique opportunity for horse owners to give feedback about the health of their horses, ponies and donkeys so that the most common diseases and problems be identified, prioritised and addressed.

NEHS is supported by the UK’s leading equestrian organisations and charities and sponsored by SPILLERS and Zoetis. It has now been running for five years and is already helping our knowledge of horse heath. Participation increased threefold last year, with data collected from over 12,301 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the UK, demonstrating the equestrian nation’s enthusiasm to do their bit. The results help to establish benchmarks for equine health and disease in the UK and define priorities for future research, training and education. Equine and veterinary colleges and universities also use the data as primary source material.

Last year we discovered more about the rise of Atypical Myopathy in the UK. Further awareness of this highly fatal disease is now being raised, incidences are being recorded and monitored by UK vets, and further research is continuing. For the second year lameness was identified as the most common syndrome and there was an apparent increase in laminitis compared with previous years. The 2014 survey also highlighted that 20% of owners are unaware of the risk of encysted small redworm and showed that the reported number of overweight horses and ponies had more than doubled since the previous year.

Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross said: “Over the past five years NEHS has become a crucial information resource for the equestrian industry. It is helping us to steer awareness, education and research with the sole purpose of safeguarding the future healthcare of our horses. By giving five minutes of your time to complete the survey you can help to make a lifetime of difference.”

Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk to register for NEHS.

Roisin McGinn, along with horse Jake, is pictured presenting the cheque to Stephen Thompson from the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Photo: Karenann Toney Photography, Ballycastle

December 13th in Ballycastle, a group of over 30 festively dressed horses, riders (and even dogs!) raised £1300 for charity, with subsequent donations being made after people saw the event covered in local newspapers.

Manager of The Bank of Ireland Downpatrick presents a cheque to Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Organiser Joan Cunningham to go towards funds.

Saintfield Christmas Charity Santa Ride which took place on Saturday 6th December 2014 raised £2,500. Cheques were presented last Thursday Evening at a Reception in Belfast’s Ramada Hotel. Ride Organiser Joan Cunningham presented a cheque for £1,500 to Doreen McKelvey from Rock Ministries N.I. Trust.

Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Organiser Joan Cunningham presents a cheque for £1,500 to Doreen McKelvey Rock Ministries N.I. Trust from left Lorraine Johnston, Vi Patterson, Joan Cunningham and Doreen McKelvey.

The money will be used to help under privileged children in Uganda. A further cheque for £1,000 was also presented for The Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Bore Hole Fund to purchase a Bore Hole in West Africa.

Declan Kerr Manager of The Bank of Ireland Downpatrick also presented Joan Cunningham with a cheque to go towards funds.

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We will be carrying out essential maintenance to the website during the break, however should anyone need to contact us, please email info@equestriannewsni.co.uk we would hope to follow up with any requests as soon as we open again.

Thank you to everyone to contributed to the website in 2014 by sending in press releases, equestrian dates, advertising events, and keeping us up to date with everything equestrian so we could pass on that information to our audiences throughout the world.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and we look forward to bringing you news, results, photographs and classifieds in the New Year.

Kindest Regards,

The Equestrian News Team