Having just returned from Rotterdam where he helped Team GB secure their first ever Team Gold at the European Dressage Championships, a delighted Emile Faurie helped Mount Mascal stables in Bexley, Kent celebrate the opening of their newly covered arena. Mount Mascal Stables is situated just inside Kent in the London Borough of Bexley. It is the largest Pony Club centre in the UK and provides youngsters in the area with the chance to participate in all the Pony Club activities without having to own their own pony. They applied for £25,000 of match funding to build a roof over the existing outdoor arena so it could be used all year round by its 389 members. The funding was awarded by HOOF, an Olympic Legacy project being delivered by the British Equestrian Federation, to help riders, start, stay and succeed in the sport. Owner of the stables, Alison Window, said: "A roof covering the surface enables us to offer greater opportunities to disadvantaged groups, facilitate more lessons, extend opening hours and finally to provide a suitable area for competitions." Emile proved a huge hit with the young Pony Club representatives who were there for the presentation, particularly 6 year old Daisy-May whose smile looked like it couldn't possibly get any bigger when Emile let her wear his gold medal for a few of the photos! The young riders were given the chance to ask Emile some questions and after a nervous start, they were quickly put at ease by his charming, relaxed manner. The first question was "How does it feel to win a gold medal?" to which he replied "Imagine every birthday, Christmas and all your favourite things happening all at once, well it was even better that that!".
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ProjectsIt's been a busy and very exciting time as I am sure you all know by now Emile competed at the European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam and won a Team Gold Medal - an inspiration to us all!! Roll on the Olympics!! The Foundation has also had a very busy time and is still growing with more projects waiting to be funded. With the new school year approaching we are sure to have more coming in. The Foundation continues to fund all existing projects and also new projects with Stepney Stables in Newcastle and Glenrothes High School in Scotland about to start. Emile is delighted to have secured some funding through the BEF which will help to maintain funding in all regions and hopefully secure some new projects. The EFF has also secured funding through Westminster Council which is enabling families to enjoy day riding and stable management sessions at Vauxhall City Farm in Lambeth. Children from our projects in Manchester will be coming down for the day to visit Oldencraig by kind invitation by Ian and Vicky . Emile will be there to talk to the children and they will have a fun day seeing the horses and the yard - we will get lots of photos and post next time!! Emile is also visiting Hull, one of the Foundations Youth Projects which we are about to fund for a 2nd year. Hull is in the 2% per cent poorist wards in Europe - we have had such positive feedback from this project and also a great video of the kids riding accompanied by a Rapp Music! They are all very excited about Emile's Gold Medal and can't wait to meet him! Other NewsCongratulations to Simon Blake who has been awarded the OBE for services to Charity we are really lucky to have his support and help with the Foundation! A new competition was held at Dressage @ Hickstead for London Riding Schools and Clubs - the brainchild of Dane Rawlins. The competition ran for a full day with over 12 teams competing on borrowed riding school ponies. Supported by the BEF HOOF project this event was a huge success. The Foundation donated a lesson with Emile to the Individual winner and he will be visiting their riding School to give the lesson. A very delighted Debbie Cox from Docklands Equestrian Centre in London won the lesson. Emile will be visiting soon and also meeting some of the children as they help with lessons so we hope to be able to work with them as well. The Foundation also gave a special award to a rider who showed talent and that was one of the London Street Kids Riding Club members.
Fund Raising
News UpdateGala Ball Venue and Date Change
Friends of the FoundationOnce again a lot going on and even more children having the opportunity to ride and have contact with horses but WE DO NEED YOUR HELP to keep funding these projects so PLEASE consider the Foundation for a fund raising idea however small - Emile aims to have 1200 children riding by 2012!!!
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AuthorHi, Mary-anne here with my reporters hat on :) Archives
March 2019
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