Last year’s Stand and Be Counted appeal raised over £30,000 and has seen fantastic support from the BEF (British Equestrian Federation) as well as a number of Britain’s top riders from all disciplines.

This year Point Two Equine will be sponsoring the appeal in a number of ways including awarding a sponsorship bursary of £200 to a para-rider who has a spinal injury. Grade 1B dressage para-rider Susanna Wade is a recipient of this year’s bursary which can be used towards her training with her horse Lambrusco who are aiming for London 2012. Susanna was involved in a horrific car accident in 1991 but through sheer determination and medical support she has now regained enough strength, balance and stability to be able to ride a horse again.

Point Two Equine will be the main sponsors for this year’s Stand and Be Counted appeal. Point Two Equine has taken a revolutionary approach to safety in the equine world by combining the latest airbag technology within a stylish and comfortable jacket. The jacket reaches full inflation in 0.1 seconds offering fantastic protection to the collar of the neck, spine, coccyx and rib cage.

Over 800 people a year are paralysed in the UK and too many of these are from horse riding accidents. Paralysis does not only mean being unable to walk, but depending on the part of the spinal cord that is injured it can cause loss of movement in arms and hands, the inability to breathe on your own and perhaps worst of all, the loss of independence.

Isabel Robinson, specialist fundraiser at Spinal Research said “We are delighted that Point Two Equine has sponsored this year’s appeal. The bursary to Susanna is going to help her with her training and we are now asking for other para-riders to apply for next year’s bursary. The Stand and Be Counted appeal was such a success last year, but we want to do even better in 2010. We are looking for new fundraisers to help us raise much needed funds for our research into spinal cord repair. Anyone who wants to donate or organise an event please do contact us”.

Contact: Isabel Robinson 01483 898786 or e-mail saddle-up@spinal-research.org