Launch of the Saintfield Christmas Charity Santa Ride 2013

On a fine sunny November morning Santa arrives on a flying visit to Rowallane Garden,
travelling up the main driveway in a nice carriage owned by George Fawcett.

Santa has travelled from the North Pole to meet Joan Cunningham, organiser of the
Saintfield Christmas Charity Santa Ride, which is being held on Saturday 7th December.

The horses and carriage draw up in front of Rowallane House.

The butler at Rowallane serves champagne to Santa and Joan.

Santa poses with the Chair of Down District Council, Maria McCarthy

The reds of the autumn leaves make a lovely background as Santa poses for the photographers.

Some of the visitors arrive on horseback …

… and Joan welcomes them to the launch of the Charity Ride.

What an alert pose this horse has with it’s ears forward.

The fresh air has given Santa a great appetite and he enjoys a lovely lunch.
(However he does have to make the long journey back to the North Pole after the event!)

It’s time to go.  Santa waves goodbye, and leaves Rowallane on the start of his long journey home.