Blue Cross horses gear up for starring role at Badminton

23/04/2008

Staff and horses at The Blue Cross animal charity are busily preparing for their role as Charity of the Year at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, 1-4 May 2008. 

The internationally renowned event, attended by thousands of spectators and some of the world's finest event horses and riders, will offer an amazing opportunity for The Blue Cross to raise awareness of its work and vital funds to support the animals in its care.

Tony Samuel, Blue Cross director of marketing and fundraising said: "The Blue Cross is incredibly honoured to have been chosen as Charity of the Year and we are planning to grasp the opportunity with both hands.  We have recruited a huge team of staff and volunteers to help us collect donations at the event and tell the public about our work caring for thousands of sick and homeless animals every year."

As well as talking to staff and volunteers, Badminton visitors will have the opportunity to meet some of the Blue Cross horses that are currently looking for homes.  Equines are taken in by the charity for a variety of reasons, from neglect to behavioural difficulties or simply a change in the owner's personal or financial circumstances. After a period of rehabilitation, staff will seek a suitable loan home for each horse or pony based on their individual needs.  

Badminton visitors should look out for a riding display featuring staff and horses from The Blue Cross equine centres in Burford (Oxon) and Rolleston (Staffs) at 10am on Saturday morning in the main arena.  Two lucky horses will also have the rare opportunity to lead out the Parade of Competitors on Sunday at 1.50pm. The final selection is yet to be made but the experience is guaranteed to be a life changing moment for the staff and horses involved. 

Vicki Alford, manager of The Blue Cross equine centre in Burford said: All the staff at the centre are really excited about going to Badminton. We've been busy working on the riding display and making sure all the horses look their best for the big day.  Some people assume that animals end up at The Blue Cross because no-one else wants them or they are good for nothing.  This is our chance to prove them wrong and show the quality of our horses.

As tradition serves, one of the cross-country fences at Badminton has been named after The Blue Cross as Charity of the Year. The 'Blue Cross Roundtops' is a new fence for 2008 to replace the Sunken Road.  It should prove a real challenge for riders who will face a narrow box jump, then down into a ditch, up a slope, and over another narrow jump.

One of the top riders to support The Blue Cross is Mary King, Olympic competitor and former Badminton winner.  Mary is a strong contender for this year's trophy, competing on two horses, Imperial Cavalier and Appache Sauce.  Fans will have the chance to meet Mary King at an autograph signing on the Blue Cross stand at 2pm on Thursday 1 May.

The Blue Cross stand, next to the organiser's office, will also feature competitions, information about the charity and details of all the horses and ponies that are currently available for loan.

Ends
Notes to editors
Photos available: Blue Cross staff and horses practising the riding display
Interviews can be arranged with Blue Cross staff either before or at the event; please contact the Press Office.
Badminton Horse Trials, sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors, takes place from 1 to 4 May 2008.  For more information, please visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

The charity's main activities at Badminton include:
Thursday 1 May (2pm):   Mary King autograph signing on the Blue Cross stand
Saturday 3 May (10am):  Blue Cross riding display in the main arena
Sunday 4 May (1.50pm): Blue Cross horses lead out the Parade of Competitors in the main arena
The Blue Cross rehabilitates and rehomes hundreds of horses every year at two equine centres in Burford (Oxon) and Rolleston (Staffs).  A third facility in Northiam (East Sussex) has just been relaunched as a rest and retirement centre for Blue Cross horses. 
The Blue Cross provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

The Blue Cross does not receive any government funding so it relies on the generosity of the public to continue its work.  For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.  

Media contact
Laura Dobson, The Blue Cross press office, 020 7932 4065 or 07917 132 698.