How Harrogate’s bodybuilding barber got back on his horse after a brush with deathNew competitions added to line-up as Weeton Show returns

Cyclists of all ages and abilities are being invited to take part in a new competition at Weeton Show.

The traditional show, which has been running for almost 80 years, is introducing the Grass Track Cycle Race, with three categories for entries.

Adults, teenagers aged 13 to 17, and children aged 12 and under will be able to take part.

A spokesperson for the organising committee said:

“Weeton Show is looking for competitors to get involved in this fast and exciting sport. All you need is a helmet, a bike and brakes that work.”

The racing will begin at 11.30am in the main ring and entries will be £3 for adults and £2 for under 18s. Places can be booked in advance by emailing the organisers.

Taking place on Sunday, July 30, Weeton Show is returning to full strength for the first time since the covid pandemic.

As well as the grass track races, a number of other new features have been added to the line-up this year.

In the horse classes, a new category of community pony has been introduced, aiming to make the competition open to everyone. The spokesperson said:

“For Weeton Show, showing isn’t about the pressure to be perfect but to take part and enjoy the event which is why it’s introduced a blemished but cherished class for owners who have a much loved pony that may not be ‘picture perfect’ and not a conventional show pony – possibly due to a past injury or poor confirmation.

“For those unable to attend the show with their four-legged friend, there is the opportunity to enter a pony online in the community pony class. This class is an open class for everyone living within a 20-mile radius of the showground.

“Many ponies help children with disabilities at riding for the disabled groups or are used to help with behaviour or for therapy at centres – this is an opportunity for people to nominate their special friend.”

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The traditional equine classes also return, including a heavy horse accumulator run in conjunction with Otley and Ripley shows, with prize money on offer at the end.

There are also classes for dogs, sheep and poultry, as well as horticulture and produce categories, and a children’s competition. Details of all the classes are available on the show’s website.

For those not competing, the entertainment in the main ring includes vintage tractors, terrier racing, competitive games and a fancy dress class.

Children’s entertainment, live music from brass bands, and food and drink stands will complete the day for visitors.

Tickets are available in advance online. If any are still available on Sunday, they will be sold on the gate, but organisers recommend booking in advance.

Firefighters called to rescue horse in Ripon which turned out to be a sculpture

Firefighters called to rescue a horse trapped in floodwater discovered it was a metal sculpture in a field near Ripon.

Group manager Bob Hoskins, who works for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted about the incident today.

He said:

“An officer trotted off to check out the situation and discovered a statue of a horse in the middle of the field.

“There was ‘neigh’ further assistance required on this occasion.”

The silhouette sculpture is situated in a field close to the River Ure, which has burst it banks after heavy rain yesterday.

It has been there since 2018.

Ripon horse sculpture

The ‘horse’ appears trapped in the distance. Pic: Bob Hoskins

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Firefighters rescue horse trapped in floodwater in Harrogate district

Firefighters rescued a horse trapped in floodwater today in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said it was alerted to the danger at 8am this morning. It occurred off the A59 York Road at Kirk Hammerton.

The incident log said:

“Crews from Acomb and Tadcaster attended an incident where a horse had become trapped in floodwater.

“Crews attached a general purpose line and dragged the horse to safety.

“The horse was then covered with a blanket to keep warm.”

The Environment Agency issued a flood alert today for the Lower River Ure in the Harrogate district.

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Harrogate district autism charity celebrates 10th anniversary

A Harrogate district autism charity is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Autism Angels hosts sessions for autistic children and their families at Throstle Nest Farm near Summerbridge.

The charity offers horse-riding therapy sessions along with kids’ clubs and day camps.

Sarah Kekoa, who founded the charity in 2012, said she believed that the charity had led to “breakthroughs” with children’s experiences.

Ms Kekoa added that they took a positive approach which was not always present in everyday life:

“A lot of people project on to them that they can’t do [things] and we don’t believe that. We believe they can do. It’s just how.”

The charity aims to teach life skills such as teamwork, kindness and feeling able to speak up.

It also uses the occasional unpredictability of the horses to help children address their fears and anxieties.

The organisation also works as a space for the parents to come together to talk about their experiences and share their advice.

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For Ms Kekoa, the last decade has brought “breakthroughs” in terms of helping children.

However, she stressed, the end outcome was not the same for every child. She said:

“We had children coming last week who weren’t even in school and are now going back to school now in September… The aim isn’t always to get them back into school, but the aim is to always to keep their mental health and wellbeing a priority.”

To celebrate the anniversary, Autism Angels is hosting a party for those involved in the charity this weekend.

In April, some of the families undertook a 150-mile journey coast-to-coast journey and raised more than £10,000.

Sarah Kekoa, founder of the Autism Angels charity

Sarah Kekoa founded the Autism Angels charity in 2012 (photo: Autism Angels)

Time with “the Horse Whisperer”

Ms Kekoa was inspired to start the riding therapy after spending time with American horse trainer Monty Roberts, who is known as “the Horse Whisperer” in the United States.

She noticed similarities between the non-verbal communication methods of the horses and autistic children. She said:

“It’s the way that they move and behave which tells their story.”

Knaresborough trekking centre fined after 11-year-old bitten by horse

A  Knaresborough trekking centre has been fined after an 11-year-old girl was bitten on the arm by a horse.

Owners of the Little Pastures Trekking Centre pleaded guilty to a health and safety offence at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday, September 10.

The prosecution was brought by Harrogate Borough Council after the 11-year-old suffered a serious bite to the arm from a horse as she walked past a stable door.

During the investigation by the borough council, the owners of the trekking centre accepted that the horse was ‘grumpy’ and it was revealed that the horse “gets territorial around her stable and snaps when people are too close”.

The young girl required reconstructive surgery as a result of the bite.

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After viewing CCTV footage of the bite, the court found that while the defendant had made some attempts to rope off the horse, the precautions were not sufficient to prevent the bite.

Following a guilty plea from both Mrs Jocelyn Fletcher-Bryan and Mr Roy Bryan – owners of Little Pastures Trekking Centre – the judge sentenced them both to a £3,000 fine, £170 victim surcharge and costs of £2,500 to the borough council. In total, they have been fined £11,340.

Cllr Mike Chambers, the council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said: 

“Customers of Little Pastures Trekking Centre should be safe in the knowledge that by visiting the trekking centre they will not be subject to injury or trauma.

“This incident, that has physically harmed an 11-year-old, should never have happened and it is only right that we investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure it never happens again.

“The result should come as a reminder for all businesses that engage with the public that health and safety is paramount.”