A VERY special evening was celebrated by community volunteers and representatives from local charities last Thursday in the Summerhill Hotel in Enniskerry village, Co. Wicklow. Over 90 people gathered for the Charity Awards from the 2019 Kilmacanogue and District Horse Show, which is run entirely by volunteers and raised €12,000 for local charities this year.

Representatives from the 14 local charities supported by the 2019 Show came to accept awards.

Many of the volunteers who worked so hard for the 2019 show were also present. People who set up the showgrounds; managed the gates, parking and hundreds of entries; stewarded crowds for safety and riders in show-rings; and provided food that sustained everyone over the very busy Show day last summer. Many of the local businesses who sponsor the show and have kept it going since 1972, were also there. Horse, sheep, and dog-lovers were among the crowd and somehow this mix of people-carers and animal-carers, created a very special atmosphere.

President of the show and founding member, Harry Williams, welcomed everyone and commented that the evening was “a very happy gathering with a natural ‘buzz’ from beginning to end.”

As each cheque was presented, the charity representatives spoke of the work they do and gave an insight into what a day like July 27th 2019 (Horse Show day) can do for the local community.

Finally, there was a special thanks to the landowners, Mary and Syl Fenelon-Burke, who generously permit the show to take place on their land. Everyone acknowledged their huge contribution to the local community because without the support of this working farm, hosting the Kilmacanogue and District Horse Show simply would not be possible.

The 2019 Kilmacanogue & District Horse Show awards for Local and National Charities totalling €12,000 went to:

1. Purple House Bray Cancer Support

2. Newcourt School Bray (for students with a mild general learning disability)

3. Bray Lakers (helping adults and children with intellectual disabilities)

4. Irish Kidney Association

5. Spinal Injuries Ireland

6. Kilmacanogue Senior Citizens

7. Charabanc Enniskerry Senior Citizens

8. Wicklow Dementia Support

9. Open Door day Centre Bray

10. Riding for the Disabled

11. Wicklow Hospice

12. Kilmacanogue GAA

13. Kilmacanogue Benefit Fund

14. Irish Horse Welfare Trust