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Rutherfords rides to rescue of Morpeth Para Dressage rider with fundraising event

ByEmily

Sep 22, 2016

Rutherfords is riding to the rescue of Gayle to help keep her bid for 2017 glory on track by hosting a special event on Monday, October 24, in association with cosmetics brand, Clarins.

Women are invited to hoof it to Barluga in Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth, where beauty consultants will share the latest skin care and make-up tips, and there will be special offers on cosmetics.

The store will donate £5 from every ticket sold to Gayle to help her achieve her competition dreams with her horse Lucca over the winter.

The inspirational mum-of- two, from Seahouses, hasn’t allowed being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis hold her back from becoming a top rider, and represented Great Britain at this summer’s International Two-Star Para Dressage Championships in Bishop Burton, Hull.

She is hoping to be selected for Great Britain Para Dressage team next summer, but without sponsorship, she struggles to fund competing at top level as it costs her £15,000 a year for entry fees, insurance, feed, veterinary bills and travel expenses.

This summer she had to pull out of competitions due to the cost.

Rutherfords hopes to raise around £500 to help her go to qualifying competitions for the Winter Para Dressage Championships at Vale View Equestrian Centre in Leicestershire in March.

Rutherfords Managing Director Richard Rutherford said: “You only have to look at Great Britain’s sportsmen and women at the Paralympics in Rio to see that being disabled is no barrier to success.

“Gayle is an inspiration to so many people because she hadn’t allowed her disability to hold her back, and it would be a travesty if she was unable to afford to go to competitions.

“We would like to do our bit to help her and hope our customers will come along and enjoy a lovely evening’s event and help to raise money for a great cause.”

Gayle, who is based at the Pegasus Centre, the home of Morpeth Riding for the Disabled Association, is a role model to the dozens of disabled youngsters from all over Northumberland who enjoy the benefits of horse riding.

She said: “This is a wonderful gesture by Rutherfords and I hope I can repay them by securing a place at the Winter Para Dressage Championships.

“I’m over the moon they are doing this fundraising for me as it will really help me.

“It is not easy competing against the best riders when you are constantly worrying about money, and this will help to ease some of the strain.”

Tickets for the fundraising event cost £20, with £15 redeemable against Clarins products on the night, are available from Rutherfords. The event upstairs in Barluga on October 24 starts at 6.30pm.

By Emily