If you have the perfect hat for the Royal Ascot race this summer but can’t afford the airline ticket to England, it’s coming to you, sort of.

Family and friends of some of Bermuda’s top equestrians are holding a Royal Bermuda Ascot Garden Party and Hat Show on May 27 at Ocean View Farm on St. Mark’s Road in Smith’s Parish.

The money raised will go towards the Bermuda Equestrian Foundation and the Bermuda Olympic Association, organisations that are helping to send three Bermuda riders to the Pan American games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this July. This will be the first time more than two Bermuda riders have competed in the event.

One of the event organisers, Brenda Richardson, said Royal Bermuda Ascot will be more “dress-up” than dressage.

“It is not a race,” said Mrs. Richardson “It is more the (human) dress-up portion of prestigious events like the Kentucky Derby or the Royal Ascot. There will be some show jumping, but it won’t dominate the event.”

At Royal Bermuda Ascot there will also be the St. George Town Crier, Somerset Brigade Band, and soloists.

Leopold Mills II will be the master of ceremonies and and Jim Michaelson will handle the show jumping narration.

“When everyone arrives, we are going to greet them and hand them a glass of champagne,” said Mrs. Richardson. “There will be lots of strawberries. It will be catered to by Fourways Caterers, so you know it is going to be classy.”

Another event organiser, Penny Terceira, said the idea for the event was born when she met her friend Mrs. Richardson in the supermarket in the fruit section. Mrs. Terceira’s daughter Jillian Terceira Heyvaert, is a local show jumper who recently qualified for the Pan American games along with Annabelle Collins and Patrick Nisbett.

“Mrs. Richardson is known for her fundraising talents, and has helped numerous charities including the Sunshine League and the Bermuda Society for the Blind,” said Mrs. Terceira, “I asked her how she thought we could raise money to support Bermuda’s equestrians.”

When Mrs. Terceira brought up her plight, Mrs. Richardson immediately thought of the Royal Ascot race in England.

“When Penny stopped me and asked me what sort of ideas we had for raising funds for the equestrians, I thought I have never been to Ascots, so Ascots will have to come to me,” Mrs. Richardson said.

Mrs. Terceira said it will cost at least $50,000 for each rider to transport themselves and their horses to South America.

“The kids are riding for Bermuda although they live and train abroad,” she said. “Yes, they are responsible for funding, but they don’t have the funds we need for this event.”

She said $50,000 is probably a more conservative estimate because you don’t just fly in and fly out of Brazil.

“You have to get there ahead of time,” she said. “You have to get the horses use to the weather and the climate. This is the highlight of all their lives. Just to qualify is wonderful. This is certainly the highlight of their training.”

It has taken the committee more than three months to arrange Royal Bermuda Ascot.

“We have worked very hard to make it a first class event, and very unique,” said Mrs. Richardson. “We want people to come dressed to the nines. Guys can wear their top hat and tails, Bermuda shorts, jacket and ties. The ladies have to come with their favourite spring hat.”

Mrs. Richardson, has already bought a special hat for the occasion, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows her.

“I am running out of space at home for my hats,” she said. “I have quite a collection. I enjoy hats. I think I would buy a hat before I would buy anything else. If someone says they would really like a hat I have, I try to part with it.”

She said the hat she plans to wear for the Royal Bermuda Ascot, just followed her home from a store in Somerset a week and a half ago.

“I didn’t go there to buy a hat, I just went there to look, but this hat jumped onto my head,” she said.

Mrs. Richardson said she tries to help any charity that “touches her heart”.

“I found that I have learned so much from organising this event,” Mrs. Richardson said. “It has been so interesting. It has been one of the most interesting fundraisers I have ever been involved in. I have been learning about horses. I was amazed at the dedication and commitment to show jumping, and to the Pan Am Games. I pray that people will come out and support this event.”

Mrs. Richardson admitted that she has never ridden a horse in her life.

“Normally, I stand as far away from them as possible,” she admitted. “I find now that my attitude towards horses has definitely changed.”

The event is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and available from Aberfeldy Nursery or from anyone on the committee. For more information telephone Brenda Richardson at 236-1788 or Penny Terceira at 238-0244.