FPDRG were there to help open Wetherby's newly refurbished Coop store along with club Mascot, Elmo.

 

The local Cooperative Society has made us one of their charities. The way that it works is that everytime someone shops at a Coop store and presents their membership card 1% of their bill is put into the charities fund. The shopper can name a specific charity that is on the list and they do this by going online and nominating that charity.

If you shop at the coop please nominate us as your charity.  Last time we were one of their charities we received £720 and that was just for a couple of months.  This time it is for 11 months.  Leeds Road and Pannal are the main branches but if you live outside that area you can still choose us by choosing the distance option and clicking on 5, 10 or 15 miles depending upon where you live.

Thank you if you decide to help us.

 GYMKHANA DAY FOR FPDRG

Let us hope that the weather remains fine and that we do not get a downpour of rain.  It will be the first time in many years if the weather stays completely fine.

O2 are coming from Leeds again this year to help us and we need lots of our volunteers as well.  So come on and sign up to help.

 

 

The Co-Op in Wetherby, Bojangles Hair in Knaresborough, Noir Hair in Harrogate, Fodder in Harrogate, Golf lesson with Lee Morrisroe PGA, Personal Fitness training with Alice from Hardy’s Health and Fitness. Plus many other individuals connected to FPDRG, who kindly donated a wide variety of prizes.

We made the amazing amount of £280!!!

Absolutely fabulous.

FPDRG couldn’t have done it without YOUR help

 

Volunteers offered rides on our mechanical horse STAN, and held a tombola and raffle to raise money for Alex and Macey's spinal surgery scheduled for this year. 

  The weather for the Mickley picnic this year was rather grey, but this did not deter the spirits of our horse and carriage riders and volunteers. There was a good turnout, as usual, and we all enjoyed the generous hospitality of Michael and Amanda Abrahams and family, who welcomed us into their house and gardens.  After lunch, Michael Abrahams presented certificates to volunteers who have completed 10 years of volunteering. Then our riders were able to have a trip out in the carriage or a gentle walk around the field on one of our trusty horses.  The riders loved the change of scenery whilst the horses seemed to enjoy the change of grass.  The fun was obviously infectious because one of the carers bravely mounted a horse for the first time- he admitted the ground seemed a long way away from up on Smithy's back, but he found it a great experience and hopes to do it again. Thanks to everyone who attended to make it another successful picnic.

 

Representatives for FPDRG were out in force and enjoying the goodies and atmosphere of The Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards.

There's nothing like a change in hat regulation to keep riding-reliant charities such as ourselves on their toes!

Fortunately, our dedicated trustee and ride leader Sue Oxley was not going to rest until she'd tracked down the right hats, in the right size., however confusing those sizings were. Here she describes the challenges she faced in the suprsingly complex world of riding hats. Do your best  to keep up! 

Our thanks go to Richard Search, the President of the Tockwith Show for 2017, for choosing us as one of his charities to benefit from the Tockwith Show.  Richard and his wife presented us with a cheque for £3,219 which is a lot of money for a small charity.  As all of our helpers are volunteers every penny will go towards the disabled riding.

Thank you Richard and the committee of the show.

So my legs have finally recovered from this year’s Yorkshire Warrior, with the last remaining bruises slowly fading.

The weather was dry, however, don't be fooled...what nature fails to provide, the organisers will... MUD, in abundance!

This year's 10 mile course took us from the Yorkshire Showground, down through the underpass, familiar to many of you from our rides, and on to the fields beyond Follifoot. It returns through a kilometre long tunnel, hidden beneath Rudding Park and used by Winston Churchill for his train during the war.