Sign Up Now for Horses for Heroes at Ascot

The equine world is uniting to raise £1 million for Help for Heroes, the charity which helps wounded servicemen and women.Ascot Racecourse and The HPower Group have launched “Horses For Heroes,”  at Ascot Racecourse,  which will see 2010 horses ridden from Ascot Racecourse, round Windsor Great Park and back to the racecourse before racing begins on Saturday, 10th July, 2010.Pictured: Toni Terry, aspiring dressage rider and wife of England and Chelsea Captain John Terry, who is taking part in Horses for Heroes on July 10 2010.The initiative sets out to bring together horses and riders from across the equine spectrum, for this spectacular event. The 2,010 horses will set off  in groups of no more than 150, for the one and a quarter hour ride, setting off from the east side of Ascot Racecourse, past the golf course, across Watersplash Lane, into Windsor Great Park, past the Village  and back to Ascot Racecourse.  Organisers say there will be stabling at the Racecourse for those travelling some distance and a party atmosphere is expected to develop in the lead up to the event.Registrations for the ride are now being taken and must be made by Friday, 18th December, 2009. Each rider is required to commit to raising a minimum of £500 in sponsorship.

   Help for Heroes founder Bryn Parry said: “Help for Heroes is all about people doing their bit for our wounded heroes. Horses have always supported our servicemen and women so it is wonderful that the equestrian and racing world is jumping into the saddle with such enthusiasm. Remember, it’s the first 2010 riders to sign up who will get the chance to be part of this piece of history and the website to log onto to do just that is www.horses4heroes.co.uk” Pictured: Lieutenant Guy Disney, amateur rider for Nicky Henderson,who lost part of a leg after being ambushed and hit by a rocket grenade in Helmand, three months ago. He said he had received excellent care and goes back to work next Tuesday: He said: "I'm a definite for July 10; I'm flattered to be asked."  “Ascot is delighted to be playing its part in this wonderful initiative,” said Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, who also intends to ride in the event.  “Our special thanks must go to the Crown Estate for embracing the concept and assisting with the route planning through Windsor Great Park. Equally, this wouldn’t be possible without the flexibility shown by the Royal Ascot Golf Club, whose activities will be affected for a short period. I can’t wait to ride in the event myself – I’ll probably be amongst the first out so that I can get back to the racecourse in time to prepare for opening to the public. It’ll be a tremendous thrill to see so many people from the worlds of racing and equestrian sport, participants in hunts and pony club riders and many, many more, filing up the finishing straight at Ascot in aid of this most worthwhile cause.”Guy added:   I can think of few professions that encapsulate the same values of professionalism and dedication more than being a soldier and race riding, and there is a long association between racing and the armed forces, including military races under rules in which I have been lucky enough to compete. Working with the racing and equestrian community to raise such an ambitious sum for Help For Heroes feels like a very natural partnership.” Toni, who trains at Oldenfield Equestrian Centre and is currently preparing to perform at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, in a specially choreographed pas de deux with 16 times national champion, Vicki Thompson-Winfield, said:I am working hard to achieve the highest levels of dressage and I admire hugely the dedication of the riders that I aspire to emulate, but such dedication is nothing compared to what our brave soldiers demonstrate every day in the face of extreme danger. When I heard about the opportunity to be involved in promoting something that brought the diverse horse world together to do our bit for the armed forces, I jumped at the chance.” Other celebrity support has been forthcoming from Actor Martin Clunes and Presenter Anthea Turner, who are both keen horse riders and are looking forward to taking part in the event. Visit www.horses4heroes.co.uk to view a special video message from Martin himself.