CHRISTMAS is a time for thinking of others; it’s also a time for giving – to humans, yes, but also to animals. We turn our minds to those who most need our help. We think of charities whose cause broadly includes our equestrian communities – cancer care and suicide prevention to name but two; and we think, in particular, of Injured Jockeys directly funding our people, supporting with the fall-out from physical injury but also with issues like weight-control, depression, gambling addiction and substance abuse.

Perhaps the ‘human-horse bond’ and the learnings that flow from horse to human are your thing: Riding for the Disabled (RDA) or St Joseph’s (Charleville) might appeal. Like a punter picking winners based on name, you might have a grá for one in Irish (Treo Eile), Indian (Sathya Sai) or Latin (Festina Lente)!