THE countdown is on to this year’s Saintfield Horse Show.
The hugely popular event takes place on Saturday, August 14, at the Danescroft Equestrian Centre, near Lisburn.
Details of the charity event were unveiled recently during a special reception and sponsors evening at the equestrian centre based at Waterloo Road in the town.
The evening — hosted by well-known racehorse trainer and former international showjumper George Stewart who owns thecentre — was attended by guests from across the equestrian world.
They were welcomed by Saintfield Horse Show Director Joan Cunningham and mingling among the guests were equestrian journalist Ruth Loney, Downpatrick racecourse manager Richard Lyttle, and Horse Week’s Bree Rutledge.
Joan said she was “absolutely thrilled” that Mr Stewart has kindly agreed to host this year’s event at Danescroft which is beside Sprucefield roundabout and convenient to the M1 and A1 dual carriageway.
Danescroft is widely regarded as one of the best equipped and most magnificent racing yards in Northern Ireland with its gallops, swimming pool, cross-country course, magnificent international all-weather arena, tremendous sand and rubber surface, lunging and loose jumping rings and one of the finest indoor schools.
Next month’s show will feature all the usual classes including working hunter, with two rings accommodating all the horse showing classes including in-hand showing, hunters, cobs, riding horses, race horse to riding horse, Irish Draught, happy hackers and rescue horses and ponies.
There will also be two pony showing rings featuring in-hand pony classes, all the usual pony riding classes and family pony from lead rein upwards.
There will also be a fancy dress and miniature horses event alongside pet dog classes and prizes for the most appropriately dressed lady and much, much, more.
Launched in 2009, Saintfield Horse Show has since raised tends of thousands of pounds for charity. Last year, all the money raised between the event and annual Santa Ride in Saintfield funded a bore hole in Pius Kulama’s village in Uganda. All the money raised this year will go towards the Ugandan Project.
Entriesare now open and can be made at www.saintfieldhorseshow.com. For further regarding trade stands, sponsorship or general enquiries contact Joan Cunningham 07775 860744 or joancunningham1@gmail.com.