The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, which took place at the Oxfordshire venue last month, raised £14,000 for its nominated charity, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

Of the money raised, a total of £6,659 was donated through box office ticket purchases, and more than £2,000 came from Agria – who contributed £5 for every member of the public who took part in a virtual ride challenge on the stand’s mechanical horses. 

This year’s horse trials hosted the FEI European Eventing Championships which saw Great Britain’s Laura Collett and London 52 crowned individual champions while Germany took home team gold.

The money raised will go directly towards supporting RDA’s work enriching the lives through horses. The charity’s programmes improve mobility, boost physical health and mental wellbeing, build confidence, and teach new life skills for people of all ages and abilities, including those with physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term health conditions, and neurodiversity.

Each year, the charity supports over 39,000 disabled children and adults through activities including riding, carriage driving, and equine assisted programmes.

‘Vital funds’

“RDA was honoured to be the charity partner for the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials,” said Michael Bishop, ceo of RDA.

“Without the vital funds raised through events like this, our life-changing work, supporting the health and wellbeing of 39,000 disabled people across the UK, would not be possible. 

“The interest and generosity shown to us by visitors throughout the event was truly inspiring. We are incredibly grateful to the organisers for choosing RDA as their charity partner and helping us to continue our mission.”

Surplus bedding also gifted

The team at Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials also donated excess HorseHage from the event to the charity.

“Supporting RDA means a great deal to everyone at Agria, and it’s something we’ve proudly done since the very beginning of our equine insurance journey,” said Vicki Wentworth, ceo at Agria.

“Being able to stand alongside this remarkable charity at the horse trials was a truly special opportunity to play a small part in the life-changing impact RDA has on disabled people. Congratulations to Michael and the wonderful RDA team for making it so much fun for visitors to Blenheim to get involved and understand more about the charity.”

Main image RDA groom Charlotte Williams, Agria coo Vicki Wentworth, This Esme, RDA participant Maddy Hill-Brown, RDA Leo Michael Bishop, event director Katrina Midgley and RDA groom Debra Hookins with RDA ponies Ocean and Aimee © Peter Nixon.

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