Olympians show of medals will help inspire at Middleton Park

The British Dressage Northern Region will host an interactive Para and Riding For The Disabled Dressage Forum, at Middleton Park’s Riding For The Disabled Association Centre on Sunday, March 3.

And top of the cast will be multiple gold and silver medal winner at the London 2012 Paralympics, Lincoln-born Wells alongside Yorkshire’s own Gerry Savage – a team bronze medal winner for Ireland last summer.

The event will take place between 10am and 3.30pm with rising star Natasha Adkinson, from Bawtry, also featuring.

Adkinson is a para-dressage rider in the World Class Squad who is representing Great Britain at national and international level.

Also present will be Izzy Palmer, British Dressage para and British Young Riders Dressage Scheme rider, who is competing in both para and able bodied dressage competitions.

Completing the impressive line-up will be Paul Kitchingman, British Dressage and RDA Member who represented the British Dressage Northern Region at the 2012 Para Home International.

British Dressage’s Sarah Huntridge enthused: “The British Dressage Northern Region is immensely proud of the achievements gained by Sophie Wells and Gerry Savage at the Paralympics.

“The aim of the day is to celebrate both RDA and Para dressage at all levels from Paralympic to Local Dressage Groups – to inspire RDA and Para riders through their own journey in the Dressage arena.

“All of the guests will be talking about their journeys through RDA Dressage and in to Para dressage – how they became involved in dressage, the challenges that they faced and their amazing achievements.

“The day will consist of a question and answer session with all five riders followed by a ridden demonstration from Sophie, Gerry, Natasha, Izzy and Paul.

“Olympic medals will be on display and there will be the opportunity to have photos with the riders and horses that brought the medals to the northern region.”

Tickets are priced at £15 per person for BD/RDA Members and £17 for BD Associate and non BD/RDA members.

Tickets are available for Under-16s at £10 who must be accompanied by an adult.

Those attending are advised to bring a packed lunch although tea/coffee and soft drinks will be provided. No refunds will be issued. For more information call 01765 676 373.

On the same day – Sunday, March 3 – Sport Horse Breeding Of Great Britain are holding a Stallion Parade at Harthill Stud, Tattenhall.

The event is being held courtesy of leading Sporthorse breeder Nina Barbour with the parade followed by a hog roast luncheon and prize draw at Bolesworth Castle.

Availability is limited with tickets costing £30. For more info visit www.sporthorsegb.co.uk.

The following weekend, the Yorkshire Sport Horse Committee are holding a Stallion Parade at Richmond Equestrian Centre on Sunday, March 10 starting at noon.

There will be a selection of stallions from mainly the North of England although the Yorkshire Sport Horse Committee have received interest from further afield.

All four arenas will be used – two indoors and two outdoors – with some stallions ridden and others shown in hand.

Christine Barber will be commentating on the event with admission costing £10 and refreshments available at the Centre.

Liz Lorrimar, the general secretary of the Yorkshire Sport Horse (Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain Committee), is hopeful that next month’s event will be well received.

Lorrimar said: “All the stallions have to be registered or graded by their appropriate societies and we hope the event will provide breeders with a showcase of talent to consider for this year’s breeding programme.

“It is the first time for a number of years that a Stallion Parade has been organised and we are hoping for a big crowd.”

For more information visit www.yorkshiresporthorse.co.uk or call David Dixon on 07732 645 066 or Liz Lorrimar on 07885 344 138.