Invisible Horse Trail
In addition to seeing some of the world’s best event horses and riders in action, visitors to Badminton can also look forward to a number of other exciting activities including hunting out World Horse Welfare’s fourteen individually-designed Invisible Horse Trail sculptures, seeing some of the charity’s rescue horses and ponies in action and meeting some famous equestrian faces along the way.
World Horse Welfare’s 2016 initiative aims to shine the spotlight on the world’s invisible horses – a theme which will be seen throughout the four days of its presence at the event. The charity’s trade stand (93 Somerset Way) will be a hub of information, interactive activities and interest – with the chance to win amazing prizes, make your mark and colour in one of the Invisible Horse sculptures, plus find out how you can support World Horse Welfare in helping horses around the world.
Rehome a Horse Month
Rehoming will be a key focus, as World Horse Welfare launches its annual Rehome a Horse Month which takes place in May this year and is supported by horse feed specialists Dodson & Horrell. The month is dedicated to sharing the stories of some of the charity’s 1,700 rehomed horses and ponies, plus highlighting the many who are still searching for a loving new home. Visitors to Badminton will be able to enjoy a cup of fresh tea or coffee in World Horse Welfare’s ‘Rehoming Café’ whilst they browse the wide range of horses and ponies ready for rehoming and chat to the charity’s experienced team to find out more about why rehoming is the best way to find your ideal horse or pony.
World Horse Welfare Celebration Stakes
Visitors will then be able to see some of World Horse Welfare’s talented equines in action when they take to the main ring on Saturday and Sunday for the ‘World Horse Welfare Celebration Stakes’. Two teams ‘The Windsor Warriors’ and ‘The Mitsubishi Machines’ made up of ridden, driven and in-hand horses and ponies will compete in a thrilling race to be crowned champions.
Visit Adoption Horse, May
World Horse Welfare Adoption Horse, May, not only has a key role as the muse for Judy Boyt’s original sculpture maquette which was used to create the Invisible Horse Trail, but she will also be attending Badminton to meet her fans in person! May will have a stable and pen kindly donated by the Willis Brothers and Jon William Stables, next to the World Horse Welfare Garden Gates cross country fence with an excellent view of Badminton House and all the cross country action.
Badminton XC Preview Evening with Eventing Experts
Friday evening will offer a unique opportunity to hear exactly what experts including Zara Phillips, Ian Stark and Yogi Breisner think about the 2016 Badminton cross country course with an event hosted by the Horse Trials Support Group and supported by Dodson & Horrell to raise money for World Horse Welfare.
Tickets are £10 which includes a £5 donation to World Horse Welfare and these can be purchased from the Horse Trials Support Group via Rosemary Barlow rosie.barlow1@btinternet.com or visit the website http://www.htsg.co.uk/.
Talks & Book Signings
Finally, World Horse Welfare’s trade stand will play host to talks from Dodson & Horrell’s nutritional advisor, Anna Pyrah alongside Dodson &Horrell brand ambassadors Piggy French and Harry Meade, live sculpting by Judy Boyt, book signings with World Horse Welfare Patron, Pippa Funnell and Former Chairman, Christopher Hall – plus you will get the chance to meet a host of international eventers.
World Horse Welfare Chief Executive, Roly Owers said:
“Being Charity of the Year at Badminton is not only a huge opportunity for World Horse Welfare but also a huge honour. We want to say a big thank you to Hugh Thomas and all the team at Badminton for their friendship and support, but also to Lance Bradley and the team at Mitsubishi Motors. It is extraordinary to think that this is their 25th year of sponsorship at Badminton – a very good reason to celebrate and we are delighted to be part of it.
World Horse Welfare has so much for visitors to see and do at Badminton 2016, from our fantastically creative Invisible Horse Trail to our Rehoming Café where you might just find your ideal new horse or pony. I’d urge everyone attending Badminton to come and visit our trade stand, speak to our staff and volunteers and understand the role they can play in helping horses. Whether it is donating, volunteering or rehoming – come and see just how easy it is to make a difference to the lives of horses everywhere and we look forward to meeting you.”
World Horse Welfare has named 2016 the year to highlight the world’s invisible horses who often suffer in silence as people either cannot or choose not to see them. From the horses left in barns and stables for weeks on end, to those working many hours every day on the streets of Choluteca in Honduras or Cape Town in South Africa who go unnoticed by governments and policymakers, to the horses transported long distances across borders to uncertain futures and those who sadly are sometimes found too late. World Horse Welfare will be focussing on a number of key themes as the year progresses including; foals, rescue and rehoming, working horses around the world and campaigning to improve laws to protect horses.
