MEMBERS of a riding club have appealed for witnesses after thieves stole more than £1,500 worth of essential equipment.
The late night raid took place at the National Forest Riding Club, in Ingleby Lane, Ticknall, when three gates were smashed and a number of specially designed jumps taken.
Club members are now urging people to be on the look-out for the missing equipment and to report any information to the police.
Committee member Jo Bunyan said: “Everyone involved with the club is absolutely shocked.
“The raid came after a show on Sunday and the people must have used a trailer to move the jumps that were taken.
“Due to the size and the amount taken it would have taken quite a while.
“It will now affect the rest of our season and we do not know if we will be able to complete it.
“A lot of people will be hurt by what has happened and it will have a major effect that the people who have done this do not realise.
“We now have to hope that the police can catch someone and that our insurance will pay out and we can replace what has gone.
“But what people have to understand is that these jumps were specially made.
“Even if we do get some insurance money we will have to reorder them again — and who knows how long that could take.
“The jumps we had stolen were unique and some had patterns on, so a lot of people would recognise them.
“We would urge anyone who knows anything to contact the police so we can get to the bottom of this.” Derbyshire Police confirmed that the incident had been reported to them and investigations were currently ongoing.
Anyone with information should telephone Derbyshire Police on 0345 1233333 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
