A charity that had its camper van filled with stock stolen on the way to Burghley has thanked its supporters for turning the awful situation into a success.

The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund’s (MDIRF) white Chausson Flash09 camper was taken from a car park outside the Travelodge Burton A38 Northbound while en route to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

It was full of stock to be sold, including knitwear, dresses, handbags, costume jewellery and shoes, as well as personal items.

The charity was “devastated” by the theft, but continued to the Lincolnshire event to sell its limited stock that was brought to the site by Cashmere Star Jumpers.

Supporters rallied to help, with someone finding them a table and chairs as well as a hanging rail when they arrived.

Fellow trade stand holders donated stock and many visitors went to give their support during the four days.

MDIRF administrator and fund co-ordinator Rosemary Lang said the charity was “overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of spirit they encountered”.

“We are still stunned at how supportive the equestrian community has been, from comments left on our social media pages through to visitors at Burghley who kindly made donations,” said Ms Lang.

“Ironically when we arrived at Burghley, we had a call from an equestrian in need and this year more than ever, the charity needs financial support in order to ensure that we never have to turn anyone away in their hour of need.”

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The stolen camper van, registration WA57 FRD, was taken between 9.30pm and 10.45pm on 25 August and has not been recovered. A credit card machine, which was in the van at the time, was found by a dog walker the following day.

The charity is urging anyone with information, or who sees anyone fundraising using a MDIRF branded collecting tin, logo or banner, to contact police.

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A charity is “devastated” by the theft of a camper van filled with stock.

The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund’s (MDIRF) white Chausson Flash09 camper was taken from the car park outside the Travelodge Burton A38 Northbound between 9.30pm and 10.45pm on Saturday (25 August).

The van, registration WA57 FRD, was full of stock as it was en route to set up at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire. This included clothing, including knitwear, dresses, handbags, costume jewellery, shoes and accessories.

MDIRF administrator and fund co-ordinator Rosemary Lang urged anyone with information to contact the police.

“We are all completely devastated. Burghley is one of our bigger events and the van had all our stock, stand and personal items in,” said Ms Lang.

“We now find ourselves in a critical situation and would appeal to everyone to keep an eye out for our van.

“The thieves have no idea the huge impact on their actions and the wider implications it will have on our small charity if it is not recovered in full.

“We always rely on Burghley to help fund a large chunk of our work for the following year. This loss could impact on our ability to help so many of you as we do each year, so please support us if you are able to help in any way you can; from sharing our social media posts to making a small donation on our website, it would be hugely appreciated.

“If you see anyone fundraising with our branded collecting tins, logos and banners please alert the police also as these were also stolen.”

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The charity’s original post about the theft has been shared more than 1,000 times on social media, leading to the recovery of its credit card machine, which was found by a dog walker in bushes around 20 miles south of the Travelodge.

MDIRF will still be at Burghley at stand H1, with limited stock.

“Thank you everyone for all you help in sharing,” read an update posted on the charity’s Facebook page on Sunday afternoon.

“We will still be at Burghley on the stand so please come and say hello and we will have a very limited stock, which fortunately was with Martha of Cashmere Star Jumpers, other various bits of knitwear and some scarves.

“All the rest of our lovely stock is gone so we will do our best and again thank you the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials for the most generous support and see you there on Thursday.”

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Suzanna was competing at 2-star level eventing before an accident while riding a young horse at home in 2012 changed her life.

This week I’m writing my blog in the midst of an intensive spell of rehabilitation at the wonderful Oaksey House.

I am finding that keeping my concentration and actually putting pen to paper seems to be more difficult. This is not because I don’t have a whole heap of exciting news to spill, but because my brain is a jumble of goals. There are things I need to remember from my sessions and I am looking forward to the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ that is becoming ever more apparent, day by day.

My head tends to spin out of control and I have the feeling of excitement whirling in my stomach looking forward to the future I’ve got ahead of me. I love this feeling… although I think my leg is still less convinced!

Anything is possible

My two weeks at Oaksey House seem to have been a bit of a whirlwind. It’s going so quickly, I wish I could live up here forever with the fantastic facilities and expertise around me. It has an

incredible vibe, with an attitude that basically means nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough.

I obviously didn’t want pasta badly enough on my second night…I couldn’t turn the hob on and was too scared to ask at that point! I thought I was going mad. Luckily a gym conversation the next morning lead onto what I had for supper last night and explaining my conundrum!

I now know that you have to fill a saucepan and put it on the hob before it will turn on and stay on. Who’d of thought it! Nevertheless, my nickname is now Hobby, thanks to Rob Treviss. This doesn’t bode well in my stepping stone to going back to work!

Life at Oaksey

A jam-packed day at Oaksey generally comprises of a gym session in the morning, in which I will do a session on the rowing machine, hand cycle, and bike and then an appointment with Hobbs Neurological physios. I have two of them during the day and a session on the FES bike either in-between or after. Some days include a strength and conditioning session and I always go to the gym in the evening. Needless to say it’s pretty full on!

Oaksey House is a hive of activity during the day, with jockeys, eventers, you name it, coming in and out. I am beginning to get used to the jockeys smacking the Equicizer (practice racehorse, pictured top) whils

t I am in the gym now! I got the shock of my life the first time as it is quite loud. Now it just blends into the background with the music!

Within a week at Oaksey I had different Hobbs Neurological physios working as a team with me. They bring their different perspectives to the table and bounce ideas off one another. I mainly have Cat Hanson, and sometimes I have Nadia Lord-Zubaidi, Lizzie Paget or Nicky Ellis. There is constant co-ordination between the Hobbs physios and Mike Peacock and Rob on my progress. I definitely think I was ready for the next stage and the team here are incredible.

I’d like to give massive thanks to the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund for helping make the trip to Oaksey House possible.

Progress

I have managed to far exceed my expectations during my time at Oaksey House. Changing the way in which I think about my body after my accident, not alienating my left leg and using and working with what I have is definitely the route to me making progress.

We have tried everything once — if it works we keep going and if it doesn’t, then we try something different!

I turned up on the first day with my left leg tucked up by my bum and now I can touch the floor with it and do an unconventional walk with very bad extensor spasms. The physios are teaching me to try to use the spasms to walk, as the large ones straighten out my leg! I can’t currently place my foot for myself yet, so the physio does that and I hop through with my right leg! We did this between two beds for support. So it’s nearly walking!

Unfortu

nately, when my leg goes into the full extensor spasms my whole body goes a bit like a banana to the right. Trying to stay in alignment is the key, however, it isn’t very easy when the spasms drag you over that way and make you quite ridged. Ultimately over time it’s about breaking down and changing the pathways to the brain that are continually telling the leg to spasm.

My sessions on the FES bike have been a great success. FES is a rehab technique in which electrical current is applied to paralysed or weakened muscles. On the first day I didn’t even get past the warm-up phase and now I’m up to 20min on the bike, in between the bike stopping due to detecting spasms!

After the first session, Rob spoke to Cyclone and they suggested turning the stimulation up high. I have to say I was slightly apprehensive about being electrocuted even more! As my spasms increase, so does the stimulation and the feeling that my hair is going to stand on end. I have to admit I would secretly quite like to attach the pads to Rob and see how he feels about the stimulation when it rockets up!

Strength and conditioning with Mike Peacock is structured around all-round body strength. I’ve been working on other aspects such as my upper body strength after my recent shoulder operation.

I have also been on the horse equicizer, which is quite a bizarre feeling and much more difficult than being on a real horse! Mike has given me a huge amount of confidence and made me realise there is nothing stopping me going to the gym to continue the good work when I get home.

BBC Spotlight

Last week BBC Spotlight’s Janine Jansen spent the afternoon filming me during my sessions at Oaksey House to get an update on my progress. She even got some footage of the bionic leg in action! You can watch the programme below.

//

Post by BBC Spotlight.

A weekend out

I’ve also enjoyed a much-needed weekend at my friends, Lucy Dickenson and Jordon Riley in Cirencester. I managed to catch up with a few other friends and went to Hartpury Horse Trials on Saturday. I also visited the yard where I had my accident to see a few people. It still to this day sends shivers down my spine when I get there.

The trouble with going to horse trials now is that a) I want to be riding more than ever and b) I see things I need in the shops!

I certainly stocked up on my food stores over the weekend and had a BBQ, curry and a roast to fuel me for the week ahead!

The plan ahead

The ultimate plan is focused towards moving forwards and reinforcing my time at Oaksey House.

I’ve already got a lesson booked in with Mark Cunliffe on the Sunday I get back. Riding is one thing I have definitely missed whilst I have been up here — the equicizers just don’t quite cut it! Then in two weeks’ time I have got my first clinic with Pammy Hutton booked in to work towards.

The aim is then to come back up here at the start of September for another intensive spell. In the meantime I will continue my good work with my neuro physio Gemma Berry and hydrotherapist Sue Horne in Cornwall and get a routine of going to the gym in place.

Suzanna

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Hickstead’s end-of-season Polo Ball will this year be supporting the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF).

“We are delighted to be supporting the MDIRF,” said polo secretary Emma Cook.

“This is a great opportunity for equestrian enthusiasts to support this important charity, whilst using it as an excuse to dress up and have a great evening with friends.”

The ball will be held at Hickstead, in West Sussex, on Saturday 13 March. It will include an awards ceremony, four-course dinner and champagne reception. Tickets cost £65.

As well as show jumping and dressage competitions, Hickstead is home to the All England Polo Club and on 27 February will host its third Arena Polo Test Match.

“Hickstead’s members know how to party and with demand for tickets higher than ever we’re expecting this year’s ball to be the biggest and best yet,” added Emma.

The MDIRF was founded in 1988 in memory of event rider Mark Davies who died in a fall at Burghley Horse Trials and provides financial, practical and medical help for injured riders and their families.

For more information tel: 01273 834315 or visit: www.hickstead.co.uk

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An equestrian calendar with a twist is on the market to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF).

The Fit for Life 2010 calendar, which has been on sale since 7 December, features photographs of equestrian-themed imitations of well-known adverts.

“All of the girls in the photos are either riders or work with horses,” said Pete Glowski, the professional photographer who spawned the idea. “There is a strong equestrian theme in every shot.

“For example, the front cover is a play on the Whiskers cat food advert, which has a tagline of ‘nine out of ten cats prefer Whiskers’. I’ve used ‘nine out of ten woman prefer horses’ instead.”

Other companies whose adverts have been “equestrianised” include Guinness and Cadburys.

The calendar, which is priced at £7.99, raised £1,000 on its launch night alone.

“I originally wanted to raise money for Cancer Research UK, but my wife is a keen rider, and we have five horses at home, so we decided to split the money with the worthy MDIRF,” Pete said.

If you are keen to get your hands on a copy of the calendar you will have to act quickly: only 750 calendars were produced, and over half of the stock has been sold already.

For more information visit www.peteglowskiphotography.co.uk

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Activities held at the 2009 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials have raised over £8,000 for The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF) and The East Anglia Air Ambulance.

MDRIF, which provides emotional, practical and financial support to injured riders, collected £1,700 as part of their ongoing 21st anniversary Poundcatcher Campaign by appealing to all riders and handlers to donate at least £1 each.

The charity also received an impressive £6,000 raised by participants of the sponsored ride around Burghley Park on the Sunday of the horse trials.

“At Burghley Horse Trials last year the ride was cancelled due to the wet conditions,” said Rosemary Lang, national co-ordinator for the MDIRF, “and so this year brought in more riders than ever to raise this wonderful amount!”

The East Anglia Air Ambulance also received £1,000, raised by the driving competition “Concours D’Elegance”, which was organised by octogenarian Betty Powell.

“The air ambulance service is run solely by donations, and none of us know when we might need them,” said Betty, a Burghley regular for the last 49 years.

Burghley Horse Trials is a highlight on the equestrian calendar, and despite severe weather conditions and the threat of foot-and-mouth in 2001, has run every year since 1961. Next year, it will be celebrating its fiftieth consecutive running of the event, which will be held from 2-5 September 2010.

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The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund is offering parents the chance of giving a magical present this Christmas, inviting online bids for a visit to the Harry Potter film set.

The winning parent and child will go behind-the-scenes and and meet the stars, visiting the set in London during filming.

The auction for the Harry Potter experience will close on 18 December at 4pm, and all of the proceeds from the winning bids will go directly to the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund.

“It’s a rare and fantastic opportunity — and there’s only one item up for grabs,” explained Rosemary Lang, fund coordinator for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund.

The Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund was established in 1988 in memory of Mark Davies, who tragically died following a fall at Burghley. It is dedicated to helping injured riders by providing practical, legal and moral support, and offering advice on safety issues.

The charity is auctioning a series of money-can’t-buy experiences and items as part of its 21st Anniversary Poundcatcher campaign.

The campaign, which involves a number of fundraisers, aims to raise at least one pound per rider, to ensure that is can continue to support and help all injured riders in genuine need.

For more details, visit www.mdirf.co.uk

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A pound from everyone involved with horses is being sought by the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund which has launched the Poundcatcher campaign to mark its 21st anniversary.

The charity was started by Jane Davies after the death of her son Mark in a fatal fall. It has raised over £1million for injured riders in the past 21 years and now hopes to build hugely on that.

The Fund’s co-ordinator, Rosemary Lang, said: “Accidents can happen to every single one of us. So we are asking the entire equestrian community to come on board and help us.”

Celebrity ambassadors for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund — BBC Country File’s Matt Baker and actor Christopher Biggins — will launch the campaign in the main arena at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on Thursday 3 September at 12.40pm.

Proceeds from Burghley course walks and a sponsored ride will go to the fund and further anniversary events for the year ahead will also be announced.

People can donate their £1 online at www.mdirf.co.uk or at a whole host of supporting websites including:

www.britishgrooms.org.uk

www.horseboxworld.com

www.horserequisites.co.uk

www.dodsonandhorrell.com

www.horsevideoanalysis.com

www.sciencesupplements.co.uk

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Former glamour model Katie Price, TV presenter Kirsty Gallagher and former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody are just three of the famous faces who have been confirmed for the celebrity polo match in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund this weekend.

The celebrity match will be held at Cowdray Park, West Sussex on Sunday 22 June and will be followed by high goal polo — the Midhurst Town Cup.

Katie’s husband, singer Peter Andre, actress Michelle Collins, TV presenter Penny Smith and Shropshire huntsman and master Otis Ferry, son of singer Bryan Ferry, will also be there, while Lucinda Green, jockey Noel Fehily and trainer Charlie Mann will representing the horse world.

The four teams will each consist of two celebrity riders and two professional polo players, with the two winning teams battling it out for the MDIRF cup.

Gates open at 10am. For more information visit www.mdirf.co.uk

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Eventing World Champion Zara Phillips has become patron of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDIRF).

BBC sports personality of the year in 2006, Zara has always felt strongly about equestrian safety issues. Last year she lost a friend, Sherelle Duke, in an eventing accident at Brockenhurst Park.

Zara said the MDRIF “is a vitally important charity which does so much to protect and support injured riders and their families”.

Visit: www.mdirf.co.uk

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (13 September, ’07)

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Blue Peter presenter and Only Fools on Horses star Matt Baker (pictured), dressage riders Andrew Gould and Dane Rawlins, racehorse trainer Charlie Mann and Horse & Hound Editor Lucy Higginson are among the participants of a Charity Polo Day taking place at Hurtwood Park Polo Club, Ewhurst Green, Nr Cranleigh, Surrey on Sunday 3 June.

Grouped with proficient polo players including Hurtwood’s owner (and former drummer for The Who) Kenney Jones and Jodie Kidd, these polo virgins will do battle in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund. If their equestrian pride is not by then completely destroyed, Pony Club-style mounted games will follow later in the afternoon.

There will be a fun fair for children, trade stands, plus Pimms and Champagne bars. Gates open from 11am, with a dressage display at 2pm, the Celebrity Polo match at 3pm and mounted games at 4.50pm. A picnic car pass (for a car plus up to five passengers) costs £30.

For more information visit: www.mdirf.co.uk

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