Gosh where to start, the last few months have been SO busy! Our main big news is that New Beginnings is moving to a new yard! While only 8 miles away, it might not sound like a big transition, but with 20 horses and all of our equipment and belongings to move, it’s a huge undertaking!
Since transitioning to become a charity in January 2016, New Beginnings has flourished, and we have outgrown our base in Hanging Grimstone on the Garrowby Estate.
However, with the tremendous support of our landlords, the Earl and Countess of Halifax, we are looking forward to settling in (along with horses, cats, volunteers and staff) to a new part of the estate at The Grange in Bishop Wilton.
While we are very sad to leave Low House Stud, there are many benefits to the move, not only with increased space and facilities on the new yard, but also lots more off-road hacking, which will be great for the horses coming through our care.
As well as the big move, we’ve also been out and about promoting New Beginnings! In February we had a charity ball at York Racecourse, which was very well attended, and we added to our much-needed funds through a charity auction. We’re now making the ball an annual event on the last weekend of February, so get the date in your diaries for 2018!
Just before the Grand National, we had a trip up to Liverpool with Mac for a Great British Racing photoshoot outside the Royal Liver Building for a new betting website http://www.greatbritishracing.com/latest/grand-national-mane-match-set-to-find-horse-of-your-dreams/…
Mac was sporting pink hair extensions, pink glittery hooves, and a very girly rug, but despite being dressed like a princess, he was extremely well behaved as he paraded the streets of Liverpool!
It just goes to show how well he’s progressed with his training since his racing days, and how calm he is on his diet of Fibre-Beet.
He certainly has the shine without the fizz!
In April we had a stand at Doncaster Racecourse for the #GetDoncasterMoving Family Fun Raceday. It was a great event, and plenty of budding young (and older) jockeys had a go on our equiciser see if they have what it takes to ride a race!
Later in April we were up in Middleham with our fellow Fibre-Beet team members at Foulrice Park Racing, as part of the open day at the historic racing centre. It was lovely to see so many people at the yard, and come and talk to us about our work with racehorses after their career in racing comes to an end.
And most recently before starting the moving process, we were at York Racecourse for the Casualty Training, where staff are trained on how to deal with injured racehorses.
Other news is that we’re launching our new website next week, where you can keep up with our latest events and come and visit us at various race days.
Bye for now,
Pam and Kevin
