TWO riders will compete against each other at a national dressage championship this week to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK - but unusually they will both ride the same horse, named Coda.

Ruth Snowden and Dave Brackpool placed first and third respectively at the regional finals, earning them a spot in the My Quest National Dressage Championship nationals on Friday in Bedfordshire.

Dave, 52, has had Coda for three years and introduced him to dressage a few years ago. The 13-year-old horse was originally bred for meat in Poland, before being saved on the way to the slaughterhouse. Although he was anxious at first, Coda has grown into a confident horse who loves to "dance".

Ruth said: "Coda is built like a tank. He's not really what you would describe as a dressage horse, but he loves to please."

The pair wanted to fundraise for Alzheimer's Research UK after seeing both of their families affected by dementia. Ruth’s grandmother, June Cresswell, died with mixed dementia in May at the age of 90.

Ruth said: "My Nana was a very organised, efficient lady with an active mind and a caring personality. She loved to dance, read and cook, but when she developed dementia and experienced memory problems, she could no longer enjoy her hobbies.

"It was extremely hard on all the family, seeing my Nana gradually disappear from us."

Dave’s mother-in-law, Dorothy MacIver, 89, is currently living with Alzheimer's.

Dave said: "This is a lady who delivered 'meals on wheels' to others even when she was into her 80s. She was a pillar of her local community and very intelligent, but dementia robbed her of the ability to do even the most basic of tasks."

The pair hope to raise at least £1,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, which powers world class studies into dementia research, focusing on diagnosis, prevention and treatments for the condition.

To support Ruth, Dave and Coda, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Coda