I am delighted to announce that I have been selected as one of the jockeys to ride in the BHS Charity race at Wetherby on 31st October this year. I will be training hard over the next few months, to pass the amateur jockey fitness test, and fundraising in aid of the British Horse Society.

My Grandmother worked for the BHS for over 40 years, and received an MBE for her work on access for riders across Scotland. I am therefore delighted to be able to raise funds, and give back to a charity which she worked so hard with.

My day job is as a Trainee Solicitor, supporting the Equine and Bloodstock community in Newmarket; so to be training as a jockey ahead of October is exceptionally different to my day to day role.

You can read some more about what they do below:

Changing Lives through Horses:

Changing Lives through Horses aims to improve the lives of disengaged young people, regardless of their background, and give them the opportunity to develop skills that enable them to return to education and/or employment. Over 4100 young people have benefitted through the power of horses, gaining key life skills, empowering them to achieve and build their self-esteem. https://youtu.be/3k5dbPELrMM

Welfare:

Our Second Chance project rehomes neglected, mistreated and rescued horses, giving them a second chance to discover a better life at one of our BHS Approved Centres. Our centres are home to BHS-qualified professionals who are equipped with the understanding, patience, skills, and knowledge needed to assist and rehabilitate those horses in desperate need.

Safety:

Our Dead Slow campaign seeks to protect vulnerable road users by educating drivers on how to safely pass horses. We work closely with MPs, the police, road safety partnerships, and other safety organisations to ensure change is made to make a difference to equine safety. Download the Horse I app today, to report any incidents. We use this data to lobby government and hold road safety initiatives in your local area

Social Licensing:

The world of horses is changing. The number of riding schools is declining. Our industry is under growing scrutiny. But together we can ensure horses remain an important part of society – and make an even bigger impact for horses and those who care for them too.

We created the ‘Horses in Society group’ last year, with British Equestrian, the British Veterinary Association and the British Horse Racing Authority, to address public perception around social licencing which is threatening riding schools and the wider industry. Having that larger collective voice, will build understand public understanding and trust, keep horses relevant, and collectively share a positive narrative.

Through our collective voice, there will be a greater influence in national policy-making, safeguarding a horses place in society, and keeping our riding schools open.

By donating, you'll help over 6000 horses receive welfare care and offer owners advice to prevent future welfare concerns. You'll influence highway and Police authorities take action at accident & near-miss hotspots.

You'll feel how much pride we take when young people like Charlie's self-esteem builds as they learn key life skills through the Changing Lives through Horses programme. "School was a never ending thunderstorm. But everything is calm when I'm with the horses."

Donate today and be part of our collective voice.