Racing Welfare’s Virtual Yorkshire Open Day, being held on Sunday 13th September, will not only showcase the very best of racing in Yorkshire but also offers the chance for people to get involved from home via an online dog show and art competition.
We are appealing to dog owners across the land to show off their four legged friends in the show’s four categories: Dog Most like a Racing Personality, Dog with the Waggiest Tail, Best Turned Out Dog and Handler and Best Trick.
An independent judge will choose the top six in each class who will then go forward to a public vote, with the winners announced on Sunday 13th September. Linton Pet Shop has generously donated prizes for the first three in each class. Entries for the dog show will close at midnight on Wednesday 9th September.
The event’s art competition also opens today and includes a chance for young racing fans to design their own silks. Budding artists of all ages are being asked to submit their artistic impressions of a horseracing scene. All categories will be judged by Racing Welfare’s ambassador and artist Darren ‘Birdie’ Bird who has also kindly donated a caricature as a prize to each winner.
All entries should be submitted as a photograph by email to communications@racingwelfare.co.uk or by WhatsApp to 07790 844 997. Entries open on Thursday 3rd September and close at 4pm on Friday 11th September.
For all the details on the categories for the art competition and to enter the dog show please view https://racingwelfare.co.uk/yorkshireopenday/. The page also has a link to pre-register for the event and receive a free online programme featuring exclusive content.
Steph Easterby, Open Day committee member, said ‘Our traditional dog show has always proved to be a popular feature at the Malton Open Day. Although online this year, we are delighted that the dog show will provide a fun opportunity for the public to get involved with their four-legged friends at home!’
Thanks to the continued support of Arena Racing Company (ARC), the Virtual Yorkshire Open Day will feature behind the scenes insights from racehorse trainers from across the county, and interviews with racing personalities. Proceeds generated from the day will go towards local Racing Welfare projects in the Yorkshire region.
Tim Fitzgerald, Vice Chairman of the Malton Open Day Committee, said: “The COVID-19 outbreak has given Malton Open Day the opportunity to develop into a virtual showcase of racing in Yorkshire. We are delighted to be able to share the array of amazing facilities available across the whole of the county and very much look forward to giving the public a behind-the-scenes experience.”
The event will deliver an opportunity for viewers to participate from home by entering an online dog show, with the winner of each class decided by public vote. New for this year will be an art competition with entries judged by Racing Welfare ambassador and artist Darren ‘Birdie’ Bird.
Racing Welfare is running a national online auction to assist in fundraising efforts, which will go live on 27th August until 24th September. The fantastic lots on offer include a private tour of the National Stud in Newmarket complete with an overnight stay at the historic Jockey Club Rooms, and a 2021 share in a racehorse with the Hot to Trot syndicate. More details HERE
Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare, said: “Combining Middleham and Malton Open Days in a virtual form gives us a platform to promote racing in Yorkshire to a larger audience than we have ever been able to before. These occasions are hugely popular and important in promoting Yorkshire racing and for our fundraising efforts throughout the year. We hope everyone will follow the events of the day on Sunday 13th September and enjoy the fabulous insight on offer.”
Proceeds generated from the Virtual Yorkshire Open Day will be used to provide a full range of support services to all of racing’s people and will aid in developing local projects such as Hill House in Middleham, which will incorporate 12 units of accommodation for people aged 16-24 years old.
To register for the event and receive your free online programme or for more information on the Virtual Yorkshire Open Day please view https://racingwelfare.co.uk/yorkshireopenday/
