Horse riders and dog lovers got together for fun at Pinetrees Riding Centre recently to help raise monies for two well deserved animal charities - Associação dos Amigos dos Animais Abandonados de Loulé (AAAA de Loulé) - São Francisco de Assis Dogs Home and Their Voice Portugal.
The afternoon started with a Fancy Dress Parade, made up of Queens, Princesses, Cowboys and Rock Stars. However, it was Emily Aarons, who won the first prize of a dinner for four at Nelito´s Restaurant in Almancil.
Both horses and dogs competed in the Orange and Spoon race as well as playing a game of Statues, accompanied by hoots of laughter!
Then the real fun begun …horses and riders competed over poles and jumps, while dogs and handlers ran an obstacle course … all against the clock. You had to be there to see the joy and merriment on all the faces … people and animals alike.
Dasha Pomerenko, from Russia, came first in Class 1 – riding on a lead rein – and Karen Hourican, from Ireland, took the rosette for first place in Class 2 – riding off the lead rein. Class 3 – riding over jumps – was won by Erin Stephens from Scotland.
Blevins Franks sponsored the event overall and it was good to see how local businesses all worked together to make the event the success it was. Many thanks must go to them and all the volunteers involved.
At the end of the event, there was a Demonstration of Dog Handling by IBC Security, followed by a Demonstration of Dog Training by Karin Holmström Forster and Diane Low.
Later in the evening, in celebration of Pinetrees´ 29th birthday, the Rancho Infantil e Juvenil de Loulé (Children´s Folk Dancing Group from Loulé) gave a demonstration of Folk Dancing and got everyone up on the floor to join and guests enjoyed a barbecue and birthday cake at a party organised by events organiser Dadinha of Glamour Eventos.
The area in front of the house was decorated with straw bales and old Algarvean artifacts for a Noite Algarvia, together with luxurious sofas from Pinetrees neighbours Optimum and potted plants from garden specialists Jardim Vista, transforming the day to day image of the area.
Over €400 was raised for the two charities and a great afternoon was enjoyed by all.
The monies raised will help with costs of spaying through Associação dos Amigos dos Animais Abandonados de Loulé (AAAA de Loulé) - São Francisco de Assis Dogs Home and assist the work carried out by Their Voice Portugal, a charity dedicated to rescuing horses in need, rehabilitating them and finding new homes. Funds will be used to supply equipment, medications and food.
