Yorkshire photographer offers assistance to Haiti quake appeal

The 20/20 Auction was the idea of Jon Stroud, a freelance writer and photographer based in Cirencester.

He contacted 20 of the top equestrian photographers in the country and asked them to donate an original image for the auction. All of them were happy to agree.

Adam, who is based in Halifax, said: "I work alongside Jon at many competitions throughout the year and was delighted to be able to help.

"Jon has put an enormous amount of effort into getting this project off the ground and I only hope we can justify his efforts by raising a large amount of money for the disaster relief fund."

The images, all framed and signed, include contributions from Henry Dallal, who recently sold an image at Christie's in New York for $11,000, and Horse and Hound's photographer, Trevor Meeks.

The photographers have all given their work completely free of charge and all the money raised will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal. The auction closes at 6pm tomorrow.

If you would like to make a bid, go to www.2020auction.co.uk or www.jonstroudmedia.com/2020 auction.home.htm for more information.

An expert in the treatment of equine joint disease, Professor Peter Clegg, will be giving a lecture tomorrow evening at Ledston Equine Clinic on advances in the treatment of the disease.

Degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis, is one of the biggest causes of poor performance and a decreased competitive lifespan in the horse.

Nigel Haizelden, who is organising the lecture, says: "This is true for all types of equine athletes, from racehorses through to dressage and show horses. -Both young and old horses can be affected by degenerative joint disease, resulting in a loss of athletic ability and early retirement and progression to crippling pain which may eventually require euthanasia."

Prof Clegg, who has done considerable research into the subject, will be discussing the most up-to-date treatments.

Ben Maher and the bay gelding Wonderboy III were in winning form at the Rolex Grand Prix in Zurich at the weekend when they jumped the fastest clear round of the 42-strong field to beat France's Timothee Anciaume by over a second. Third place went to Switzerland's Pius Schwizer.

The 20,000 prize was a welcome birthday present for Ben, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday.

He was then flying on to Abu Dhabi where he will be competing in The President of the UAE Showjumping Cup.

The British Eventing Pony Programme for 2010 is to be sponsored by Charles Owen.

The company already supports the British Pony Championships which will be held at Brand Hall in Shropshire in June.

The Charles Owen British Eventing Pony Championship will be the final trial to select the squad to represent Britain at the FEI European Pony Championships which this year will be held on home ground at Bishop Burton College (July 27 to August 1).

The British Eventing pony team has gone from strength to strength over the years, winning 25 championship medals at European level including six golds since the team started in 1987.