'Equestrian Relief' Raises ₤250K for NHS Charities

'Equestrian Relief', a fundraising effort launched by the team behind Bolesworth and Liverpool International Horse Shows, has raised £250,000 for National Health Service charities. Among the equine-related celebrities assisting the cause, champion jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy and Frankie Dettori, eventing world champions Ros Canter and Zara Tindall, and Olympic gold medallists Carl Hester and Scott Brash. The drive surpassed the £100,000 goal in 10 days.

“It has been an overwhelming fortnight–and we are delighted to be in a position to be donating over quarter of a millions pounds to the NHS Covid-19 Crisis Fund,” said Nina Barbour, Bolesworth managing director. “I would just like to extend a massive thank you to everyone from the equestrian world who has supported this fantastic cause in every way, and helped us achieve this great result.”

Included in the effort was a charity auction, which amassed a total of £165,440. It was topped by a membership of a Nick Bradley Racing syndicate, which realized £7,501. Additionally, Tindall's painting from the Horse Drawn challenge raised £5,700; Dettori's signed breeches sold for £4,900 and a round of golf with McCoy and Oli Bell attracted a bid of £3,800.

“It was a pleasure to be involved and I'm really proud of everyone from the equestrian world for helping to raise a great sum of money for a cause that has touched everyone in recent times,” said McCoy.

The celebrity horsemen and women were split into teams, with two team members taking part in a daily challenge from five categories, culminating in the 'Dark Horse' round, where teams shared their hidden talent. Team Eventing sealed victory with a comical parody of Netflix's hit series 'Tiger King' performed by Ben Hobday, with Team Polo taking second. Team Racing finished sixth of the seven teams.
Zara Tindall, captain for the eventers, said, “It was a honour to be asked to get involved with Equestrian Relief, such an amazing group of people to be able to come together to try to support our NHS for the unbelievable job they are doing to fight this war against corona and hoping that the money raised will help in the areas that it is really needed.”