Quizzers support equestrian mental health fundraiser

Osberton International Horse & Driving Trials hosts purple evening for BEDE Event’s annual charity, Riders Minds

On Friday, 29 September, supporters of BEDE Event’s annual charity, Riders Minds, will be donning purple and testing their knowledge at a charity quiz evening. The event is one of a series to be held aimed at raising funds for Riders Minds, which supports riders and others involved in the equestrian world who are facing mental health challenges.

The event will be held at the Osberton International Horse and Driving Trials, which runs from 28 September–1 October. The evening starts at 6.30pm with the quiz and, for the winning team, there’s a prize of a £100 bar tab up for grabs, courtesy of British Polo Gin. Following the quiz, a Robbie Williams tribute act will provide the entertainment to allow everyone to party until the early hours of the morning.

And with purple being the charity’s signature colour, there will even be purple cocktails on offer throughout the evening, with a donation for every drink sold going to Riders Minds.

Riders Minds was started in 2019 by 5* event rider Matt Wright and his wife, Victoria, who is director of Caunton Manor Stud. Matt openly shared his mental ill-health struggles by regularly blogging about his experiences and, in doing so, raised awareness of mental health issues and understanding within the eventing community.

His openness encouraged other riders with similar problems to come forward, and Victoria and Matt quickly recognised the need for a resource for equestrians of all kinds that could offer mental health and wellbeing support, guidance and information. As a result, Riders Minds was formed and it’s now freely available as an online resource for anyone needing help.  It also strives to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Tickets for the quiz cost £10 per team, with all proceeds of the evening going to Riders Minds.

For tickets or more information, visit bede-events.co.uk