
Once again some of the hottest names in equestrian sport will gather at Cheltenham Racecourse for Countryside Day on Friday 13 November, the first day of The Open. Alongside the top class racing action, Equestrian Team GBR athletes – with Rio in their sights – will be at the event to celebrate and participate in a variety of fundraising activities.
Vital monies raised will go towards supporting the dressage, eventing, showjumping and para-dressage squads as they prepare for next year, helping them to arrive in top condition to compete alongside the world’s best combinations.
Before racing commences, one of the hottest attractions of the day promises to be a unique display which sees the legendary AP McCoy take the reins of a Grand Prix dressage horse, under the watchful eyes of Olympians Carl Hester and current World Number One, Charlotte Dujardin. The demonstration is due to take place in the parade ring before racing commences.
The demonstration is one of a number of fundraising initiatives that will take place during the day in aid of The Countryside Alliance Foundation and Equestrian Team GBR. Race goers will also be able to bid for unique prizes through a silent auction and enjoy a hound parade. Every donation received on the day, however small, would be hugely appreciated.
Ian Renton, Regional Director of the South West Region of Jockey Club Racecourses commented; “We are delighted to be working with both the Countryside Alliance Foundation and Equestrian Team GBR at this year’s Countryside Day and I hope that we raise a considerable amount of money for two such popular and worthy organisations. To have the recently retired Champion Jockey AP McCoy back at Cheltenham alongside Carl and Charlotte before racing in the paddock will be something that I am sure many of the crowd, which is expected to be around 20,000, will enjoy hugely.”
Olympic and Paralympic athletes attending on the day will be announced in due course.
Gates open at 10am, with the first race at 1.05pm.
For more information and tickets, visit www.cheltenham.co.uk