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.