Festive show jumping event raises £1,300 for charity

By Katy Islip

General news

06 January 2012 15:25

A popular festive show jumping competition reinstated due to public demand has raised more than £1,300 for charity.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary ran the unaffiliated Christmas show jumping event at its Coombe Park visitor centre, near Totnes, Devon, and offered entrants the chance to qualify for the Cricklands Winter League Finals, to be held near Chepstow in April.

A total of 70 riders took part in classes up to 3ft in height, including fancy dress, and the cash raised will go towards the charity’s work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies across the south west.

Centre manager Teresa Redgrave said: “There is not much else to do with your horse during the winter months and it’s also not especially nice when it is cold and wet outside.

“As we have indoor facilities and there are not many other places around here which give you a chance to qualify for Cricklands, we thought it made good sense to respond to local demand for such an event close to home at this time of year.”

The course for the event was designed for the charity by John Tuff from Redpost Equestrian Ltd, which is based in nearby Littlehempston.

Teresa said: “The atmosphere was wonderful. Everyone was in good spirits and very excited to see show jumping back at Coombe Park.”

She added that the sanctuary hopes to host similar events at the former equestrian centre in the near future.

When the charity isn’t using Coombe Park’s indoor area it is available for hire to local community groups – for more information on events or hire call 01803 866615.