THIS was the 17th year of the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride, only this year it was not held in Saintfield.

Ride organiser Joan Cunningham received a special request from Downpatrick businessman and horseman, Bartley Murphy, just over a week before the ride date that the ride be held in Downpatrick this year, as the town was devastated by flooding at the beginning of November. Businesses have struggled to get back on their feet and the people of the town were in need of some Christmas cheer. In the interests of festive goodwill, Joan agreed to move the ride to Downpatrick for one year only.

Swift arrangements were made and kind permission given for participating Santas to park at Downpatrick Racecourse and for a police escort to accompany the ride from start to finish.

Darcy Turley (10) and sisters Ruth (4) and Rose (7) in the festive spirit at Downpatrick Racecourse ready for the Santa ride

Having outgrown Andrews’ yard in Saintfield, people have had to park along the road for the past couple of years, so having the space and safety afforded by the racecourse, as well as somewhere for the more excitable horses and ponies to let off steam before the ride, was a godsend.

There was a great turnout and a festive atmosphere, with Christmas music playing in the background and everyone enjoying the mulled wine and mince pie reception before getting tacked up and setting off.

The arrival of the Santa ride into Downpatrick, led by the ‘Real Santa’ in Angelo Kane’s carriage

Shorter route

The route was shorter this year, so Santa, transported in Angelo Kane’s carriage, led the way from the start and the shorter route worked well for those on foot with lead rein ponies.

As the ride reached the town, the streets were lined with people, smiling, waving and taking pictures and videos of the sea of Santas on horseback riding past. Numerous onlookers said ‘thank you for coming’ to the riders, which for many made the journey to Downpatrick totally worthwhile.

Once in the town, Hugo Duncan, Boxcar Brian and Gerard Dornan provided musical entertainment and a bit of ‘craic’, while Santa said hello to some of the younger Downpatrick residents. Joan was then presented with a magnificent bouquet of flowers by Hugo Duncan on behalf of the people of Downpatrick, as a thank you for bringing the Santa ride to their town.

Following the ride, Joan said: “I am totally overwhelmed by the amazing welcome that myself, the riders and supporters received in Downpatrick on Saturday. All expectations were surpassed and to help bring some festive cheer following the devastation of the recent flooding was more than I could ever have wished for.”