Matt Ryan opens the doors to his yard for charity

By Amanda Stevenson

Event diary

19 June 2008 16:55

Matt and Marie Ryan are once again hosting an Open Evening at their yard near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. It takes place on Thursday 26th June, in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund and the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP).

The evening features celebrity guests including Jeanette Brakewell with her fabulous Olympic and World Championship silver medal-winning partner Over To You. Jeanette will be performing with Matt and his Sydney gold medallist Kibah Sandstone, who is being brought out of retirement especially for the occasion.The hilarious Celebrity Mounted Games which proved such a hit last year will figure again, with the BBC's voice of rugby Eddie Butler once more giving his irreverent commentary on the proceedings.

There will be training demonstrations and a cross-country technique Masterclass, as well as a chance to tour the yard and meet the horses. There will also be trade stands, a barbecue and a licensed bar. After the main entertainment has finished, a post-event party with music and dancing will round off the evening.

"Marie and I are really looking forward to it," says Matt. "Last year's event was great fun, despite the dodgy weather, and we have plans to make this year's evening even bigger and better. I just hope I don't have to put on women's underwear in the mounted games again because it's tricky to fasten – I'm better at undoing it!"

Tickets cost £15 in advance (£20 on the door), with under-16s free. Doors open at 5pm, with the entertainment starting around 6pm. Please note that shelter and seating are limited, so it might be worth bringing wet weather clothing and a chair.

Abergavenny is probably not as far from you as you think: Bristol is 40 minutes, Cheltenham 1 hour, Taunton 1 π hours. Why not come along and join in the fun!

For tickets, please send a cheque, payable to SupaStuds Charity Event, with a SAE to: Matt Ryan Charity Evening, c/o SupaStuds, The Ling Farm, Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, Worcs DY12 1LN.