Saddle Up for Spinal Research

Spinal Research is appealing to the horse world to support its campaign to find an effective treatment for paralysis caused by a broken neck or back.
It is asking riders, livery yards, Pony Clubs, riding clubs and anyone involved with horses to organise an event such as a coffee morning or quiz night.
Competition organisers could also add a charitable donation to the entry form of the event they are running.
The appeal, which is running with the message “I believe in horses, I believe in hope, I believe in research”, has the support of top riders such as Billy Twomey, Francis Whittington, Nick Skelton and Mary King.
Olympic showjumper Billy said: “The ‘I believe’ appeal is raising money to fund ground-breaking research in a field that is very close to my heart. I have suffered a serious back injury in the last year but, due to brilliant advances in spinal research and surgery, I am back to full fitness and riding again. While it’s still early days, with fingers crossed, all indications are that I have made a full recovery.
“No matter how small or large your donation, it could help change someone’s life for the better.”
Spinal Research will support event organisers by promoting the event on their nationwide map on their website.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Simply register your event at www.spinal-research.org or tel: 01483 898786 and a fundraising pack will be sent out to you.
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A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.