Last week (6th June) Michael Fabricant witnessed at first hand schools and community learning services involvement with the horse at the Gartmore Riding School, Hammerwich, Staffordshire. Michael presented awards on behalf of the Sportivate Programmes incorporating The Black Country Consortium and Sport across Staffordshire and Stoke.

This event formed part of the Free Spirit Horse Memorial Appeal to raise awareness and to acknowledge the horse’s unfaltering service to mankind through times of conflict, work and also in sport, rehabilitation and education.

Permission for a life sized bronze statue of the horse has been given by the National Memorial Arboretum: it is the only memorial at the Arboretum to have been granted to an animal in its own right.

Michael says “Anyone who has seen ‘War Horse’ will have been inspired by the spirit of animals at war and it is fitting that they have a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum just as there are similar types of memorial in our nation’s capital, London. People can find out more about the Free Spirit Horse Memorial Appeal on their website: www.freespiritmemorial.co.uk

“I was also hugely impressed with Gartmore Riding School’s work with youngsters and adults through the Government’s Sportivate programme. It clearly motivates people who previously had less of an interest in life and I was delighted to be asked to award the prizes.”

Photo shows Michael with the Sportivate award winners together with school staff.