The French Ambassador, Monsieur Bernard Emié, and the new French Consul General, Monsieur Olivier Chambard, very kindly greeted the team at the Institut Français on Saturday 29 September at the reception so kindly given by Eurostar and the SNCF Foundation. Our very great thanks go to Xavier Guerard, Deputy Director of the French Institute and SLL’s Jonathan Giles for arranging everything and liaising with everybody to make this such a happy and memorable occasion.

Blog in English: http://whitehorsescharity.blogspot.com

French blog: http://fred-sllassoc.skyrock.com

The magazine for French people in London, Ici Londres, has published an article in the January issue in support of SLL and the 2012 project, the Caravan of Hope. You can read the article online (in French) on their website www.ici-londres.com

Our thanks also to the FAFGB (Federation of French Associations in Great Britain) for their support. Web site: www.fafbg.org and to Olivier Cadic, Councillor elect to the AFE (Assembly of the French Abroad) for an article in support of SLL in his blog www.oliviercadic.com

We are delighted to say that SLL has received a generous private donation – our huge thanks to these kind benefactors, who wish to remain anonymous.
With the commencement of the project approaching fast and so much still to do, it is wonderful to receive such support!

Donations of any size are still needed to ensure the success of all that the project hopes to achieve.

Thank you to everyone who has supported SLL – every donation helps!

As part of a day dedicated to the cause of handicapped people held at the French Consulate in London on 8 November 2011, a musical and cultural event in the evening aimed to help finance SLL’s Caravan of Hope 2012. After the concert, a reception provided an opportunity for an auction with proceeds going to the Caravan of Hope (organized by Jakki Cunningham and supported by the UK Riding for the Disabled, chaired by HRH Princess Anne). Music, acceptance of disability and equitation were the stars of the day.

Nearly £5,000 was donated to SLL.

Many thanks from SLL to Edouard Braine, the General Consul of France in London (himself in a wheelchair as a result of a riding accident), and to Laurent Burin des Roziers, the Cultural Counsellor & Director of the French Institute in London, and to everyone else supporting the cause of disability and the SLL initiative by making donations, organising or participating in the events.

An equestrian display and dinner in aid of SLL White Horses 2012 was held on  Friday 18 November 2011 at the Manoir de Tregaray (Country House Hotel), 35550 Sixt sur Aff, Ille et Vilaine – France.

The event raised 3,400 euros for SLL.

Our grateful thanks go to everyone who participated in making this a very special evening, including Annie Barreteau (owner of the chateau: www.manoir-de-tregaray.com), Annick Garrau, and to Patrick Massé (organiser and presenter of the evening’s Flamenco equestrian spectacle).

The Long Riders’ Guild is the world’s first international association of equestrian explorers. It is an invitation-only organisation. It was formed in 1994 to represent men and women of all nations who have ridden more than 1,000 continuous miles on a single equestrian journey. Members currently reside in 39 countries.

Website: www.thelongridersguild.com

Jakki Cunningham is a Member of the LRG and the Caravan of Hope is a Planned Expedition. Luke Tucker, one of the youngsters who rode with Jakki in 2008, has been invited to join the Guild’s membership.

SLL President Jakki Cunningham had the great honour to receive the Trophy for Initiative awarded during the 16th Epona Festival, organised by the Société du Cheval Français (French Horse Society), which took place at Cabourg in Normandy, from 9 to 11 October 2009.

Jakki Cunningham receiving the Epona award

Jakki received the trophy, which she would like to share with everyone who has helped the SLL Association.

Jakki Cunningham & Anne Richard

We also have great pleasure to tell you that the television presenter Patrick Poivre d’Arvor and the actress Anne Richard, who were present at the awards ceremony, have agreed to become ambassadors for the association.