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MDIRF NEWS*****Stop Press***** Sunday, the 22nd June 2008 is the date for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund Pro Celebrity Polo Day at the exciting and prestigious new venue of Cowdray Polo Club, Midhurst, West Sussex. In the past the day has attracted a host of celebrities including Zara Phillips Patron of the Charity, Ringo Star, Jodie Kidd, Pippa Funnel, Stephanie Powers, Richard Dunwoody, Mike Rutherford and many many more. With a long and illustrious history, Cowdray Park is recognized worldwide as the Home of British Polo. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Viscount Cowdray’s 16,500 acre estate in West Sussex, the game of polo has been played at Cowdray for close on a century – the first competitive tournaments being recorded in 1910. The Polo consists of four teams, containing two celebrity riders and two professional Polo players and each team will play a chukka of Polo. The winners of each match will then play in the Final for the MDIRF Trophy. Following this will be a High Goal Exhibition match featuring two of the best teams in the Country who will be competing in the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup in July. Players/Guests to include: During the Day everyone will be able to try their dogs agility skills in the Pedigree Chum Agility Arena, which provides endless entertainment for all There will be excellent catering facilities but please do bring a picnic to enjoy pitch side if you wish. A funfair for the children, a wonderful shopping village offering something for everybody as well as the renown Silent Auction Marquee where there will be over 50 lots to bid for, a raffle and a tombola. The MDIRF also invites you to help with the day. Volunteers are needed for preparation, stewarding, selling raffle tickets and clearing up the next day. We would also welcome more prizes so if you can donate something special for the auctions or a smaller prize for the tom bola and raffle please let us know Car passes available at £10 a car (includes driver and one adult passenger with all children under 12 free - all other adult passengers £5 each) or in advance from Rosemary (01726 813156 or rosemary@mdirf.co.uk) THURSDAY, 26TH JUNE - OPEN EVENING PRESS RELEASE - 7th September 2007  Equestrian sportswoman and Eventing World Champion, Zara Phillips OBE, daughter of Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has agreed to become the Patron of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF). The eldest granddaughter of The Queen, Zara Phillips - who was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2006 - frequently attends charity events and supports several causes, mainly for spinal injuries and children’s charities. She has always felt strongly about safety in equestrian matters, therefore becoming Patron of the MDIRF is a role dear to her heart: “ We are delighted that Zara Phillips has agreed to become our Patron,” said Rosemary Lang of the MDIRF. “She is a very high profile young sportswoman who has, as an active rider, had personal experience in riding accidents. She also lost a close friend in an equestrian accident therefore the importance of safety during eventing and riding, plus the support of those injured in riding accidents, are issues she fully upholds. We are proud that she has decided to endorse our charity in such a positive way.” Zara Phillips commented: "I feel it very important to stress the need for safety in all equestrian matters therefore I am more than happy to be involved with this vitally important charity which does so much to protect and support injured riders and their families, particularly with the valuable role it plays in reinforcing the all-important safety message to all riders" For further information on the MDIRF, please contact Rosemary Lang on 01726 813156, 07710 788364 or by email on rosemary@mdirf.co.uk. Jane Davies is recognised by the British Horse Society at the Sefton Awards Heroes in the field of equestrian safety were honoured by the BHS at their annual Sefton Awards, which were held at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s Barracks, Knightsbridge, London The awards mark outstanding contribution in the fields of riding and road safety and can be given to anyone who, through their achievements, has raised awareness of the need for safety. In July 1991 it was agreed that the first award would be presented at the Hyde park Barracks following on from the Household Cavalry sanctioning calling them the Sefton Awards. Jane who alongside her late husband Michael started the fund in 1998 is a very special person with a strong sense of right, who will fight to help where she sees a genuine need and has worked so hard over the years to help improve safety and awareness. The Ceremony took place on October 22nd 2007 and as well as the awards and an excellent lunch all the winners were given a fascinating tour of the stables and working life of the Barracks whilst on ceremonial duty in London
Sadly Jane was unable to attend the Award ceremony but our new Chairman Mrs Sarah Bullen received it on her behalf saying, “it felt very unfair that I was able to enjoy the day and all the accolades without any of the hard work.”
MDIRF GOLF CHALLENGE The first MDIRF Golf Challenge took place at the Wildwood Golf and County Club in Surrey generously hosted by new MDIRF Trustee Edmund O’Reilly Hyland and the Wildwood team of Pro Phil Harrison and Jane Louis-Hobbs Everyone had coffee and bacon rolls before a shotgun tee off, the weather was wonderful and after a great days golf the teams all had a three-course meal in the loveliest Clubhouse, the teams commented on what a great course it was to play. Prizes included Holdalls, suit carriers and champagne for the winners, we also held a raffle with lots of great prizes. Everyone who attended either playing or those who just came for the lunch had the most fantastic time and helped to raise over £4,000 for the Fund. The winning Team was Group Classic congratulations and we hope you will defend your title next year. This event will become an annual challenge and any one who is interested in playing please keep an eye on the website for next years date of keep in touch with Catherine at Catherine.mcilwraith@yahoo.co.uk or Rosemary on rosemary@mdirf.co.uk We would like to thank everyone who helped to make this first annual golf challenge so successful RYANS’ OPEN EVENING AN ALL-ROUND WINNER, AND THE GIRLS RULE OK! Large crowds braved the uncertain weather to attend Matt and Marie Ryan’s inaugural SupaStuds Charity Open Evening at their yard near Abergavenny. They were rewarded with a wonderful evening’s entertainment. The setting was stunning, with fabulous views over the arena to the Black Mountans beyond. In the end, the rain held off till late in the evening, by which time most people were too involved in the entertainment to care!  The EveryClick Mouse treading in at half time. We are now looking for money can’t buy items for next years auction so if you have any ideas please email Linda Butler on linda.m.butler@btopenworld.com or would like to be involved please do call Catherine McIlwraith on 01798 861321 or email catherine.mcilwraith@yahoo.co.uk Riders Ball 2007 - Newbury Manor Hotel 31st March 2007 A great time was had by all at the first Riders Ball held at the Newbury Manor Hotel on Sat 31st March 2007. After a Bucks Fizz reception and an enjoyable 3-course meal, everyone danced the night away. The raffle was a great success and many thanks to Colin Tett, Mark Bennett, Newbury Manor Hotel and Donnington Grove Golf Club for their most generous donations of prizes. A HUGE THANK YOU must go to Paul and Karen Crago and Dottie Channing Williams for all the hard work and effort they put into making the evening such a success. We hope to make this an annual event so watch out for the date for next year as soon as it is confirmed it will be in the date’s section. For anyone who attended the evening, pictures from the night can be obtained from Mark at photowest.westwood@btopenworld.com And to everyone who supported the night thank you and see you next year.      21st February 2007 - Tims Stockdale Demonstration On 21st February 2007, a demonstration was given by Tim Stockdale at Ledston Equine Centre. The evening was supported by Spillers and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. Almost 300 people attended the evening to hear how Tim trains his horses and to pick up tips for competition preparation and walking the course. More than £2500.00 was raised on the evening itself for the charity. For future demonstrations in Yorkshire, please keep checking the Dates for your Diary page on our website.
On 11th October 2006 Geoff Billington Lecture/Demonstration On 11th October 2006 Geoff Billington gave a demonstration at Ledston Equine Centre in Yorkshire. The evening was organised to raise funds for the Mrk Davies Injured Riders Fund. Geoff brought three horses, two novices and an advanced horse. He entertained the crowd as well as providing training tips and advice to those who attended the demonstration. |The evening was supported by Spillers and Irwin Mitchell Solcicitors. This was the first in what will hopefully be a series of lectures in Yorkshire to raise funds for the charity.
MDIRF Wins An Award
Trustee Sarah Bullen receiving the Lexington Insurance Voluntary Service Award from Mr John Bovington. Presented to MDIRF at the Animal Health Trust, United Kingdom Equestrian Awards, held at the London Hilton, Park Lane on 17th October 2005. The Mark Davis Fund really does make a difference
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| MDIRF Registered Charity Number:1022281 |
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