Horse Power event hailed a sensational success for horses in Scotland
Over 1,800 visitors joined the UK’s leading horse charity, World Horse Welfare in Aboyne, Scotland for a day of big horses, rare breeds and equestrian entertainment.
Last weekend guests and entertainers at the charity’s Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Belwade Farm helped World Horse Welfare to raise almost £8,000 from a rifle shoot, fun fair, some spectacular shows in the indoor school and even hand and foot massages from the makeup outlet, Body Shop, who pride themselves on producing products that are not tested on animals.
“This was an important day for our redeveloped centre and funds will go towards helping those 7,000 horses that are so seriously at risk of neglect and abandonment as part of the devastating horse crisis that is upon us in this current climate,” says Centre Manager for World Horse Welfare’s Belwade Farm, Eileen Gillen.
“We are so grateful to our main sponsor North East Telecommunications for their support, so too our wonderful band of volunteers, without them the day would have never got off the ground.
“These family events are so vital for attracting new and old visitors to enjoy our facilities and see our work first-hand – we would not be able to make a difference in the UK and around the world without such good support,” continues Eileen.
A grand opening from the Ballater and District Pipe Band kicked off the day in true Scottish style. The charity’s rehabilitated horses paraded around the main arena and were cleverly matched up against vintage vehicles to show the varying sizes and breeds of horses that the charity rescues.
“Our Clydesdale, Digger, was the main man, he was the star of the show,” says Eileen.
“He’s the biggest horse we’ve ever cared for and quite the local celebrity around here, standing at an enormous 19.1hh he towered over the tractor that we stood him next to. We then parked Whisky our adoption scheme donkey and Sweep the Shetland alongside our farm scooter to show the smaller end of the scale. Our retired police horse, Ben, stood handsomely in line with an ex-police car, naturally.”
“It was Les Amis d’Onno that really impressed everyone though,” says Visitor Centre Officer for Belwade Farm, Lucy Robb.
Les Amis d’Onno are an equine and canine stunt team in the UK who have settled in the borders of Scotland, bringing with them their unique Fresian and Andalucian horses who won the performers a place in the top ten acts at Tarbes Equestriain 2008, in France.
“They really got the crowd going, they are true equestrian performers who really know their horses well; you can just feel the connection the artists have with their horses as they work in such unified rhythm,” continues Lucy.
Local Scottish author, Gordon Milne made a special appearance for the day to promote his new novel as part of a book-signing for Stay Cheeky; a humorous story of growing up in a country community on the outskirts of a city. The charity hopes to welcome Gordon back to their next big event when his second book is published.
The day would not have been complete without the Equibuddy Team from Equestrian Vaulting; the beautiful Burmese Mountain Dogs; tall rides from Strathorn Farm’s Clydesdales; the charity’s farriers explaining their trade; Pony Club demonstrations and dog agility and terrier racing.
Rare Breeds Miniature Farm brought their pigs, llamas, horses and goats and set up in the stables. A world-renowned baby signing teacher from Tiny Talk set up a stall to show parents the benefits that sign language has for children.
Lucy explains how the big day was great fun for all the family.
“The kids loved our dusty bin full of ‘win a prize every time’ goodies; they played with it for hours. The parents on the other hand had plenty of stalls to browse through; they were spoilt for choice with tack shops, hand-crafted jewelry, and gift boxes, skin care and bath fragrances from Lush, the handmade cosmetic outlet. Everywhere you walked you came across something.”
Eileen added: “This was our a very large event for the charity, alongside our Summer Extravaganza and it was great to see some familiar faces and meet new people. Above all, our event showed the public the great work that we do here at World Horse Welfare and gave them all a reason to return.”
The charity would like to invite the public to their next big event at Belwade Farm; Clay pigeon shooting on 22nd September. Call Visitor Centre Officer for Belwade Farm, Lucy Robb for more details on 01339 885398 or email at lucyrobb@worldhorsewelfare.org.
For press information please contact World Horse Welfare’s Press Officer Amy Fordham on 01953 497248 and 07824 302640 or email amyfordham@worldhorsewelfare.org
About World Horse Welfare:
Visit our website here: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Home
World Horse Welfare (Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384), is an international horse charity that improves the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide through education, campaigning and hands-on care of horses. Since we were founded in 1927, our whole approach has been practical, based on scientific evidence and our extensive experience, and focused on delivering lasting change across the full spectrum of the horse world.
In the UK our dedicated network of Field Officers investigate and resolve welfare problems, and we run four Rescue and Rehoming Centres where horses in need can receive specialist care, undergo rehabilitation and find loving new homes through our rehoming scheme – the largest of its kind in the UK. Our international training programmes alleviate the suffering of thousands of working horses by providing essential knowledge for horse owning communities in the developing world. We also work tirelessly to change legislation and attitudes to horse welfare through campaigns and education, including our founding campaign to end the suffering endured by the tens of thousands of horses transported long-distance across Europe to slaughter each year. We support the responsible use of horses in sport, and are an official welfare arm of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and welfare advisors to the British Horseracing Authority.
