Mock Races Raising Funds For Horse Therapy

Mackay Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is holding a Race Night to raise valuable funds for their horse-riding program.

The night promises plenty of high-paced action, with five mock horse races and one mock pig race to be projected on the big screen throughout the night.

Local businesses have come on board to sponsor the event and name the races and horses.

Tickets are $50 and that will get you entry into the races, finger food, entry in the door prize and $7000 of funny money to bet with, with more funny money available for purchase.

There will be a prize at the end of the night for the biggest funny money win and people are urged to go hard and blow their remaining funny money on the final pig race.

“Just go crazy,” laughed Mackay RDA Vice President Roz Ferguson.

“It doesn’t really matter because it’s not real money.”

There will also be a raffle to win two tickets to the Wildcat and a Balloon Pop, where you can pop a balloon for $10 and you are guaranteed to win, as well as fashions on the field.

“We’re saying to people dress to impress as if you’re going to the Mackay Cup or the Melbourne Cup,” said Roz.

RDA is an organisation that provides horse riding therapy for children and adults living with a disability in the Mackay region.

The funds raised on the night will go towards maintaining this unique experience for people of all abilities.

“The different games that we play, they’re a therapy more than a game, but we make them fun,” said Roz.

“They’re stretching, they’re balancing, it also helps them listen to instructions, follow instructions and directions, we get them thinking as well.

“It’s physical, it’s emotional and it’s spiritual therapy.

Last year, RDA held dressage competitions where Mackay riders were among the best.

“Two of our riders came second in the state of Queensland, which we were really happy about, in their particular classes,” said Roz.

“We have one girl who actually rides on her own now, she’s learnt so well she rides on her own, and she came second in Queensland, so we were really proud of that.”

Last year, RDA Mackay received Centre of Excellence Accreditation from RDA Queensland.

“It shows that, within this Mackay centre, we are really trying hard to make the centre a great place for people to come, not just to ride, but to visit and to volunteer as well,” said Roz.

“We’re always on the hunt for volunteers.

“You don’t have to be horse involved, there are many different opportunities.

“If somebody wants to come on board and they haven’t done this sort of stuff, we can train them up.”

For more information on the Race Night and the organisation, visit their group on Facebook where you will find the event and contact details.

WHAT: Race Night supporting Mackay Riding for the Disabled

WHEN: Friday, September 9 at 6:30pm

WHERE: Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

TICKETS: facebook.com/events/1136761463862224

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