Blue Cross horses excel in charity dressage

The handsome chestnut gelding Blue Cross William and the big, striking piebald Blue Cross Sheridan were the stars of a recent dressage competition held at The Blue Cross at Burford in Oxfordshire. William and his borrower Monika Barna proudly performed their first ever dressage test to take fourth place in the preliminary 14 class, while the slightly more experienced Sheridan and his young borrower Alice Bennett took third place.

Competitors from the local area took part in the friendly preliminary 14 and preliminary 16 classes. William and Sheridan were two of several familiar Blue Cross horses and ponies returning for the event with their borrowers.  William was re-homed to Blue Cross riding groom Monica in March this year.  He came to The Blue Cross as a youngster when his owner could no longer look after him. While at the Burford equine centre he was backed and brought on and has developed into an impressive horse. He and Monika make a promising partnership.

Sheridan has been homed with Alice for the past nine months. It was a challenge for 15-year-old Alice to progress to a substantially larger horse when her loaned 15.2hh gelding went back to his owners, but powerful 16.2hh middleweight Sheridan has proved to be her perfect match.

The Blue Cross equine centre in Burford has further competitions scheduled for 2007, including the Annual Horse and Dog Show on 29 July, show jumping evenings on 10 and 24 August and the Christmas tack sale on 24 November. For a show schedule or information on dressage and show jumping events held regularly at the centre please telephone 01993 822454.

Media contact: Laura Dobson
Direct line: 0207 932 4065
Mobile: 07917 132 698

Notes to Editors

For more than a century, The Blue Cross has been dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies in need, giving them the chance of a new life in approved homes.

The Blue Cross rehomes more than 100 horses and ponies every year from its three dedicated equine centres in Oxfordshire, Sussex and Staffordshire.  Every rehomed horse or pony is routinely visited twice a year and friendly centre staff and experienced field officers are on call to offer advice if needed.

The Blue Cross also provides practical support, information and advice for horse and pony owners, with a range of educational materials available at centres and on our website: www.bluecross.org.uk.