Antrim Chase raise over £12,000 for charity during the 2024/25 season
Nine different charities benefit from the fundraising held at various rides throughout the season
Antrim Chase started their season with the now famous Charity Show at Connell Hill, coordinated by the wonderful Lyndon McKee Photography and raising a staggering £3,700 for Air Ambulance!
They also saw an incredible £2,000 presented to Antrim Area Hospital (AAH) Rheumatology Department, generously raised by Lyndon through donations towards his amazing photographs of Antrim Chase riders!
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Next up, Antrim Chase travelled to Ballyboley in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, then Cairncastle for Marie Curie and Drumanaway in aid of Charis Cancer Care. Despite the awful weather playing havoc with the November and December rides, the rides at Slemish and Proklis House both raised plenty of funds for NI Children's Hospice and the group managed a few club days out to Dirraw Farm and to Benone Beach for a gallop across the sand.
As is customary, Antrim Chase started the new year with their New Year’s Day ride at Bellaghy, seeing lots of familiar faces both on horseback and lining the roads to cheer them on, raising a fabulous £1,620 in aid of Marie Curie, in memory of the late Ray Graham.
Unfortunately, the weather once again challenged plans for the new year, with many of the rides postponed or cancelled by the rain, storms or icy conditions. Organisers are grateful that their members and friends all stayed safe throughout!
In true, hardy Antrim Chase fashion, they still managed to ride out at Kilwaughter in aid of Air Ambulance; Ballyconnelly in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind; Lisnamurrican in aid of Pretty ‘n’ Pink, an NI breast cancer charity, and Kells and Connor in aid of Marie Curie.
After the cancellation of the Randalstown ride due to storm damage in the estate, Antrim Chase were delighted to be welcomed back for a Shane's Castle Pleasure Ride at the start of April, riding out in aid of NI Hospice and raising a fabulous £1,170 in memory of their friend and one of the founding members, George Graham, who sadly passed away in February of this year.
Luckily for Antrim Chase members, the calendar isn't over yet… They have show jumping and flat work clinics with Ian McCluggage and Ami Kwasniewska of AK Equine running at Connell Hill in May and June, and a members’ BBQ organised for the end of June, before they start planning for the new season all over again!
This year, Antrim Chase raised £12,020 for nine different charities, all very close to members’ hearts. They couldn't do this without the unwavering support of their generous landowners, hardworking members who plan routes and build jumps, and the amazing riders and the On-Foot crew, who continue to support them week after week! Thank you!
If you would like to take part, please follow @Antrim Chase on Facebook for details of upcoming events or email: antrimchase@hotmail.com