Final Preparations Underway for Pony Welfare Charity Big Weekend

Where can you find national acting treasure John Nettles, Bollywood dancing, falconry on horseback and duck herding displays – all in one field?

Staff at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, the South West’s largest horse and pony welfare charity, are busy preparing for hundreds of visitors next weekend – July 6^th and 7^th – as they hold the biggest fundraising event the charity has ever held.

This year, for the first time, the charity is throwing open its stable doors for an entire weekend – with Saturday’s Well Horse, Well Rider event being hailed as a one-stop shop for the county’s horse owners.

Equine experts will be on hand at the charity’s Coombe Park Visitor Centre near Totnes, to help riders get the best out of their horses, as well as helping them with their own aches and pains with special rider pilates sessions.

Everyone’s horses and ponies are welcome on the day and experts will be able to help with a range of topics, from correctly fitting tack to the best feed for keeping their four-legged friends in fine fettle.

Then on Sunday, July 7^th the charity’s Family Fun Day has something for everyone – from Bollywood dancing to its Patron and Midsomer Murders star John Nettles, meeting and greeting his loyal fans.

There will also be great displays, including elegant side saddle, duck herding, falconry on horseback and amazing canine tricks from the Barking Tricksters.

Coombe Park is surrounded by the beautiful hills of the South Hams and visitors can enjoy guided natural history walks, foraging workshops and bug house making for the little ones.

There’ll even be some late runners and riders in the charity’s very own Hobby Horse Grand National.

B-Bar Plymouth will be offering great food and a fully stocked bar – and talented local bands will be playing throughout the day, including New Daze and the Eliza Acty Duo.

Event organiser Annette Ball said:

We really have pulled out all the stops this year to make this a weekend to remember.

This is the biggest event the Mare and Foal Sanctuary has ever held and we’re really hoping people come along to support us.

This event not only helps us to raise money to rescue horses and ponies but it also gives us the chance to show everyone the great work we do and our amazing plans for the future.”

For more information and to book a place on any of our Well Horse, Well Rider sessions please visit our website at www.mareandfoal.org

All proceeds from the events will help support the work of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary across the South West, which relies entirely on donations and legacy gifts.  For more information and to see the horses and ponies currently available for rehoming, visit the charity’s website or call 01626 355969.