Charity skydive for injured riders
Are you an adrenaline junky? Do you love testing yourself to the limit? Have you ever fancied jumping out of a plane? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund (MDRIF) wants to hear from you.
The charity, which helps people who have been injured in equestrian-related accidents, is offering you the chance to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of a tandem skydive for FREE — all you have to do is raise at least £500 in sponsorship.
The jump will takeplace at RAF Weston on the Green in Oxfordshire on Sunday 21 September and Canadian three-day event rider Robert Lemieux will be among the volunteers.
A tandem instructor will introduce you to the equipment and explain the practice drills, exits and ground training techniques necessary for a successful jump.
The skydive will begin at more than 10,000ft and you will enjoy an exhilarating 30secs free fall and 5min canopy ride with an expert instructor. You will also receive a certificate to prove that you have completed a two-mile high tandem skydive.
Australian eventing Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan was one of the 11 people who took part in the charity’s first skydive in April, which raised £5,000 for the MDIRF.
“The noise and buzz of free falling at 120 mph is something that I will never forget – it’s a bit different to riding cross-country,” he says.
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According to event co-ordinator Hilary Wylie, jumping out of a plane is less daunting than going cross-country at a decent level.
“This is a unique opportunity to experience a thrill of a lifetime,” she told HHO. “Skydiving gives you the most amazing adrenaline rush and because volunteers will be jumping with an instructor it is incredibly safe.”
For more details contact Hilary (tel: 01428 741320) or visit: www.mdirf.co.uk
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.