The Midlands Equine Fair, Three Counties Showground, 13 and 14 March, will be the first opportunity that members of the general public will get to meet a rocking horse version of well-known Ted the Clydesdale.

Lord Plumb on Rocking Horse former leader of the European Parliament. Charles Beardmore in bowler hat Head Horse Keeper of
Daniel Thwaites Brewery, Lancashire, Sally Anne Oultram author of the Story of Ted, and owner of the real Ted Clydesdale, and Marc
Stevenson, owner of Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horses, who made Ted.

The rocking horse, which is the only one of its kind in the world, has been created by rocking horse specialists Stevenson Brothers and is valued at £5,000. He will be spearheading a fundraising campaign for the Rare Breeds Survival Trust which aims to raise £100,000 for the charity.

The Midlands Equine Fair will be the first event to feature Ted, and after that he will be criss-crossing the country attending other equine fairs and shows. Visitors will be invited to buy draw tickets at £1 each for a grand prize draw with Ted as the prize. The draw will take place at Olympia in December.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust was set up in 1973 to protect Britain's rarest native breeds of livestock from extinction. Today it is still the only national organisation dedicated to protecting these cattle, goats, horses, pigs, ponies, poultry and sheep and there are currently over 70 breeds in its care

Its work includes monitoring populations, developing and promoting breeding programmes to maintain genetic diversity and funding breed support programmes in partnership with breed societies. It identifies and promotes unique qualities in each breed in order to secure them a sustainable future.

Carrying out the enormous variety of projects required to ensure the survival of these breeds' means that funds are always needed. With no financial backing from Government the Trust relies totally on membership subscriptions and donations to continue.

Some of Britain's best-loved breed of horses and ponies are on its lists. On the critical list are the Cleveland Bay, Eriskay and the Suffolk. Making up the endangered list are the Fell Pony and the Exmoor Pony. Those breeds that are deemed vulnerable include the Dales Pony, Dartmoor Pony, Highland Pony and Feral Welsh Mountain Pony. At risk is the Clydesdale.

Sandra Turner, managing director of Contour Exhibitions & Events, which organises the Midlands Equine Fair, commented: "We are delighted that Ted will be making his first public appearance at the Midlands Equine Fair. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is a super charity that does great work to preserve all manner of rare domestic breeds, and we hope that visitors to our Fair will dig deep into their pockets and get the national fundraising campaign off to a flying start."
More information about the Rare Breeds Survival Trust is available by calling 0247669 6551 or logging on at www.rbst.org.uk.
The Midlands Equine Fair is taking place under cover at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on 13 and 14 March 2004. Further information and details concerning advance booking discounts are available by calling 01884 841925 or logging on at www.contour.uk.net.

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