Hot to trot horse event
ONE Strictly Inverness contestant is betting on the horses to help her raise money for two local charities.
Lee Macdonald (48) is a self-confessed horse fanatic and has now invited others with an interest to take part in her latest Strictly fundraising event, hoping to raise vital funds for both Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre.
Miss Macdonald is holding her very own show jumping competition with a difference at Cairn O’Mhor Livery Yard in Dingwall and is taking inspiration from Strictly Inverness to judge it.
She has drafted in three of her friends who are all riding instructors to judge, with a grand rosette being given to the most improved rider on the day.
People will come throughout the day to take part, with all entrants having had at least some experience in horse riding.
Thanks to businesses and friends of Miss Macdonald she has not had to put any money into the event herself with everyone rallying round her to donate to the fundraiser.
She is excited for the event to take place on Sunday, April 16 with the day kicking off at 10am.
"The difference with this competition is the riders are not getting judged on going against the clock or having knockdowns or refusals," she said.
"I’m basing it on the Strictly theme where they are going to get judged on style and accuracy and how they approach the fence, how they go over, how they land or if they are looking for their next fence.
"The competitors will come, they will do the first round, all the fences will get marked out of 10. They will then go and speak to the judges who will give them some feedback and tell them what they need to work on. Then they’ll jump a second round and hopefully they will have improved.
"Everybody that takes part is going to get a rosette. The person that wins the mega rosette will be the person who has made the biggest improvement. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the person that’s got the highest score could win. They could score 80 in the first round and 80 in the next round but if somebody scores 50 in the first round and then they’ve had a huge improvement to the second round then they will win the prize."
For more information on the event and how to get involved contact Lee Macdonald on her Facebook page or see posters in Seaforth Saddlers, HIS or Harbro all in Inverness.
Strictly Inverness begins on May 17 and runs until May 20. All 30 contestants have been tasked with learning two individual dances and a group dance with the top four from Thursday and Friday going through to the grand finale on Saturday night.
Tickets for the Wednesday night showcase event are still available with dance groups from across the Highlands taking part. This will also be the first night that Team Thursday and Friday reveal their group dance number.
Tickets can be bought via the Highland Hospice hotline number 01463 246473.
