Members of North East Fife Riding Club ran a series of popular combined training events throughout the summer of 2014 to raise funds for the battle against Equine Grass Sickness.
The efforts of the horse riders led to a charity donation of more than £250.
“The competitions provided a really great opportunity for riders to compete at both dressage and showjumping with a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, all in the name of a really great cause,” said club chairman Emma Reid.
“Rather than charge an entry fee, we asked riders to donate to Equine Grass Sickness (EGS).
“In recognition of the worthwhile cause, a total of £257.50 was raised over the three events,” she said.
“We were delighted by the generosity of our members, and huge thanks have to go to all competitors and members who helped to organise the competitions.”
The club used a fun ride, hosted by Bill Clarke and Louise Docherty of Chesterstone Livery Yard, at the base of Largo Law, to take the opportunity of handing their donation over to charity representative Dorothy Thomson.
Ms Thomson, who hails from Milnathort, has been on the EGS committee for the past 12 years. She spoke to the club members to increase their understanding of the fatal illness having lost two of her own horses to the disease in previous years.
EGS is a disease which effects horses, ponies and donkeys, causing damage to parts of the nervous system, producing a main symptom of paralysis of the gut.
Although the root cause of EGS remains unclear, the Equine Grass Sickness Fund based at the Moredun in Midlothian is investigating the prevalence of toxico-infectious botulism, believed to stem from the soil.
As a result, the fund is trialling a vaccine to cover 1,100 horses over three years on yards that have suffered from cases of EGS within the last three years.
However, the trial is around 200 horses short of the required number of equines to get a ‘true result’.
If you have a horse which might be eligible for the vaccine trial, please visit www.equinegrasssickness.co.uk.
BHS Fife also raised £400 for EGS research by hosting a fun beach ride at Elie Estate, Shell Bay and Largo Bay.