Blue Lights Horse of the Year Show returns to Aintree

Merseyside’s emergency services are set to do battle on horseback across three days of competition as part of the Blue Lights Horse of the Year charity show.

Sixty competitors across the three services (Merseyside Police, Fire and Rescue and the North West Ambulance Service) will compete for the top prize, plus there will be a Police Horse of the Year competition.

The event will be staged from tomorrow until Friday (6-8 August) at Aintree International Equestrian Centre.

Kieran Timmins, executive director of resources at Merseyside Fire and Rescue, and himself a keen rider, said: “Last year’s equestrian event was a real success, drawing crowds of 1,000 people each day. So we decided to carry it on this year.”

Last year the event was solely for the police.

There will also be displays by the Merseyside Police Dogs’ Section, the Pony Club, the Merseyside Police Band and the Crosby Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) group, plus pony rides, a mini farm and food and drink stalls.

Last year’s event raised £6,000 for Crosby RDA group, which is also this year’s chosen charity.

The event runs from midday to 5pm each day.

Tickets, £5 for adults, £2.50 for children/concessions, are on sale at the Liverpool Philharmonic box office on 0151 709 3789 and at www.bluelightshorseoftheyearshow.co.uk

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