30th March 2005
Thousands of people living in the countryside are to back the biggest-ever national fundraiser to help millions of working horses in the developing world.
This year, overseas equine welfare charity, the Brooke, has organised the first-ever fundraising initiative aimed to help horses that suffer most in the world.
Courses for Horses is set to become one of the events in the racing and equestrian calendars. Involving riding clubs, racecourses, breeders, owners, riders, jockeys, race-goers and countless other people who simply love horses.
Courses for Horses day – Saturday June 11th 2005 – will see tens of thousands of people across the country raising anything from £25 to £25,000 through thousands of events. Everyone is being encouraged to hold their own ‘course for a horse’, such as a ‘bookie’s breakfast’, ladies day lunch or holding the greatest number of sponsored courses at a dinner party.
In addition, 10 racecourses around the country – from Perth to Goodwood – have already designated Courses for Horses fundraising days, which will involve trainers, breeders, jockeys, trainers, race-goers and even stable hands raising money for the Brooke.
The Brooke relieves the suffering of hundreds of thousands of equine animals toiling for the world’s poorest communities, and the millions of people who are dependent on these hard working animals for their livelihood.
Leading equestrian and racing figures have all given their support – including Sir Peter O’Sullevan CBE, John Francome, Champion Jump Jockey AP McCoy and world class equestrian champions Pippa Funnell, Carl Hester and Lucinda Green MBE.
“My principal admiration and enthusiasm for the Brooke derives from their emphasis on education people in the developing world in the proper husbandry of their animals,“ says Brooke patron, Sir Peter O’Sullevan.
Pippa Funnell adds: “"Friendship, loyalty, love - horses give us so much. In developing countries they also give poor people something extra - the means of earning an income for their families. Courses for Horses is our way of giving something back to these faithful animals."
Courses for Horses, which has as its media partners the Racing Post, Horse & Rider Magazine, PONY Magazine and Equestrian Trade News, will help the Brooke extend its reach from half a million to five million equine animals that desperately need help in the developing world.
Organisations supporting Courses for Horses include the British Equestrian Trade Association, the British Equestrian Federation, The Jockey Club, British Horseracing Board, the Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, and all members of the Horseracing Industry Committee.
Editors Notes:
Racecourses holding a ‘Courses for Horses’ day in 2005:
Newbury – 14th May COURSES FOR HORSES LAUNCH
Bangor-on Dee – 14th May
Brighton – 27th May
Perth – 5th June
Chester – 7th June
Goodwood – 10th June
Hexham – 11th June
Sandown Park – 11th June COURSES FOR HORSES FLAGSHIP DAY
Jersey – 12th June
Ayr – 18th June
Hamilton Park – 28th June
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