PRESS RELEASE
Veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust (AHT) has been announced as the Olympia Horse Show’s 2013 charity of the year.
Throughout the week of 16 December 2013, The Olympia Exhibition Halls, located in Hammersmith, West London play host to a packed timetable of all things equestrian. The event includes top class international competition for show jumping, dressage and driving, boasting a total of over 80,000 visitors.
Each year the show supports a charity, which is relevant to the UK’s equestrian community. Previous charities selected by the show include the Ebony Horse Club, The Horse Trust and World Horse Welfare. However, this year organisers felt that they wanted to support the AHT and the exceptional work that it carries out.
The AHT works behind the scenes constantly monitoring equine disease around the world, identifying threats to the British equine population and putting in place robust plans to head off infectious disease wherever possible. In addition to its disease surveillance work, the AHT undertakes extensive on-going research into minimising the risk of injury to sports horses.
Jo Peck, Marketing Director for the Olympia Horse Show, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Animal Health Trust this year. The Show Committee selected the AHT from a number of charities as they felt that its work deserved recognition amongst the equestrian community. The afternoon performance on Wednesday 18 December 2013 will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust, and 50p from every seat sold will go to the AHT."
One of the AHT’s key roles will be to host the Shopping Drop Off Point. With an entire hall dedicated to shopping at the event, visitors are invited to ‘check in’ purchased items at the Bag Drop to avoid taking them into the performance area. The Drop Off will be manned by AHT representatives, allowing visitors to find out how research undertaken by the AHT has directly affected sports horses, as well as how its work also benefits dogs and cats.
Dr Mark Vaudin, Incoming Chief Executive at the Animal Health Trust is thrilled about the selection, and said: “The AHT does so much to improve equine health, from performance and injury related clinical treatment to research into disease. It’s wonderful for the AHT to be recognised for these contributions, and to have the opportunity to share the importance of our work with so many horse enthusiasts.”
Book tickets now for the equestrian world’s best Christmas party at www.olympiahorseshow.com or by telephoning the box office on 0871 230 5580. Tickets are priced between £20 and £59 with various discounts available for groups, seniors and children.
To view the Olympia, The London International Horse Show, 2013 competition programme please click: http://tinyurl.com/n74s5h4
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For further information, please contact:
Farrah Stevens - AHT press office - 01638 555602
Tim Welland - Olympia Horse Show press office - 0207 592 1207
Photographs:
For copyright free hi-res images for editorial purposes only please click: http://tinyurl.com/jwl6umm
Please credit Photos 1-3 to Kit Houghton, and Photo 4 to Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre
Photograph captions:
Photo 1 - Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro, winners of the Grand Prix Freestyle at Olympia in 2012
Photo 2 - William Funnell on Billy Congo, in the Christmas Speed Stakes at Olympia in 2012
Photo 3 - Ben Maher on Aristo Z, winners of the Earls Court Christmas Cracker at Olympia in 2012
Photo 4 - The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art - Riendas Largas (long-reining)
Additional notes:
The Animal Health Trust is an independent charity, employing over 200 scientists, vets and support workers. It aims to improve the health and welfare of horses, dogs and cats through research. It also provides specialist referral services and continuous education to vets. Visit our website at www.aht.org.uk
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