Get on your horse for charity

Equestrians are being called on to sign up for the Good Friday fundraiser on April 22, to raise cash for the Harrogate-based cancer charity.

Organised by the charity’s Wakefield fundraising committee, the signposted cross-country horse event will provide 50 optional obstacles up to one metre in height, over a six-and-a-half-mile loop, allowing all ages and levels of experience to take part.

Most of the hacking is completely traffic free, on private tracks around the grounds.

Refreshments will be available at the start and there will be a large parking area with ample turning space for horse boxes and good access to the A19.

A further 20 miles of extended hacking is also available around the estate, on mostly private tracks, linking into the shorter cross-country course.

Yorkshire Cancer Research Wakefield Committee chairman Barbara Coates said: “We have been organising this event for about five years and it’s a really great day out for all ages and abilities because the course is flat.

“Riders can pick and choose which jumps they want to do and it’s a fantastic way to come and enjoy the beautiful estate grounds at Escrick Park.

“We usually have around 200 riders attend each year to raise money, especially if the weather’s good, but this year we are looking for even more.

“Yorkshire Cancer Research is well worth supporting as it allows some of the very best doctors and clinicians to continue working in Yorkshire ensuring Yorkshire people, who get cancer, have the best possible chance to survive.

“We are also very grateful to Mr and Mrs Charles Forbes Adam, owners of Escrick Park Estate, who have given us their permission to hold this charity event.”

Tickets are £12 with funds going to Yorkshire Cancer Research. To book a place or for more information call Gillian Wilks on 01924 825348. There is no livery available to hire at Escrick Park Estate.

Yorkshire Cancer Research invests around £7 million a year into funding scientists and clinicians at Yorkshire’s top medical research centres and universities, helping to generate major medical breakthroughs. For more information visit www.ycr.org.uk.