[NEWS] NEWS BITES
Equestrian centre saddles up to support research to find a cure for brain tumours
A Buckinghamshire equestrian centre is supporting research to find a cure for brain tumours as a high-profile show horse producer fights the disease.
Rory Gilsenan, who is based in Bicester, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour late last year at the age of 49, just weeks after his first win at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). He underwent surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Last week he underwent further surgery after the tumour came back. Friends and admirers from the equestrian world, including dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin CBE, have been sending well wishes, with many using the hashtag #RootingforRory on social media.
At his request, donations for the Milton Keynes-based charity Brain Tumour Research were collected at Addington Equestrian Centre’s pre-HOYS working hunter show on Sunday 22 September, an event which Rory usually attends. Class winners were also invited to donate their winnings. In total Addington Equestrian Centre raised an amazing £1,500 to fund vital research. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Chris Parker, who manages the equestrian venue near Buckingham, said: “Rory is a very popular guy and a big local name. Everyone is hoping the surgery has gone well. Rory’s absence on Sunday was very much felt. We were all thinking about him.” Paula Rastrick, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the Central region, said: “We are very grateful to Addington Equestrian Centre for its support. Rory’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. Together, with the help of all our supporters, we will find a cure.” Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs. To donate to Brain Tumour Research go to
www.braintumourresearch.org/donation
Rory Gilsenan at Horse Of The Year Show 2018 Endurance GB Chair steps down for health reasons
It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Endurance GB announce the resignation with immediate effect of Chair, Rebecca Kinnarney, on health grounds.
Rebecca took over as Chair in November 2018 and had steered the governing body for Endurance in England and Wales through a new chapter with a remit to broaden support for the sport from the grass roots level upwards while giving a strong lead on international welfare issues. In her time as Chair, membership across all categories has risen by 6% on last year and registered supporters are up 139% on 2018 and 53% on 2017. Ride entries have also increased in 2019. Rebecca will be succeeded by Finance and IT Director, Sue Box, who steps up from Vice Chair. No new Chair will be chosen until after the annual meeting to be held on 23rd November at The Village Hotel, Coventry. Communications Director Kerry Dawson said: “Rebecca has been a superb Chair and it was a privilege to work with her this
year. She has given a clear lead in presenting Endurance GB’s voice on all issues with transparency and clarity and I am personally very sorry that she has had to step down at this point when so much had been achieved but also with an exciting season ahead in 2020.”
Rebecca Kinnarney said: “It was a great honour to step into the role of Chair of Endurance GB in November and it has been wonderful to assist the Board of Directors and members in representing the sport and welfare-focused values that we all hold so dear as competitors in the UK. I have huge admiration for the ethos and energy of my fellow board members who are all working so hard on the members behalf to provide a platform for the kind of excellent competition and sport, whatever your goal, that we all want to be part of. I wish my successor as Chair every success and want to thank the board for all their support and hard work – I take my hat off to them. I will still be involved as a member and very much hope to be back in the saddle and competing soon.”
Sue Box said: “Both the Board of Directors and the wider membership will join me in expressing both our heartfelt thanks as well as great sorrow and our fullest support for Rebecca in putting her health first at this time. She has given a fantastic lead to the sport over the past eight months and worked tirelessly and with great integrity as a fantastic ambassador and adroit Chair to take Endurance GB forward. I think it is fair to say that she has left the sport stronger and more united as we approach the end of the 2019 season and look forward to celebrating all that is good about endurance riding at next month’s iconic Red Dragon Ride. We wish Rebecca all the very best in focussing on her health and hopefully joining us back on the trail before too long.”
4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
Sue Box For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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