Hunt now flying high after riding out to help our heroes

Not only did they complete a four-mile, cross-country gallop over 23 solid fences and hedges, they then went out hunting for a couple of hours before returning home unscathed.

Peter reports that he has a list of aches and pains that covers most of his body.

But he is thrilled that he completed the challenge which has raised over £2,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes.

When we reported on Peter’s plans last month, he had yet to tackle a cross-country course bareback on his wife Jen’s horse, Ron. But, on the day, Ron jumped everything in sight and Peter managed to stay with him.

He and two outriders, Colin Rae, on Murphy, and Sarah Duell, on Arbie, were allowed to start the cross-country gallop ahead of the field.

“Ron was pulling my arms out right from the start, feeling as strong as ever and constantly trying to overtake Murphy,” said Peter.

A couple of extra large leaps, causing Peter to land awkwardly, made him realise he was not going to get through the day pain free.

There were further problems towards the end of the course. “I had to hand my riding crop to Colin before the last two jumps as my forearms had locked up and I couldn’t grip properly any more. Then I just kicked on ahead of Murphy and let Ron go,” said Peter.

They completed the course to a round of applause and took a quick breather before setting out with the hunt. This time they used a bareback pad to give both horse and rider a little respite.

After Peter had thanked everybody for their support, he was invited to leave the meet alongside the huntsman. “We then jumped a five-bar wooden gate almost straight from the meet but Ron made it feel like a little cross-pole,” said Peter.

“It was a fast day and I counted nine jumps on the lowland before we headed up onto the moors.”

They stayed out for two hours and then Peter decided to head for home before Ron got too tired.

“I couldn’t ask any more of Ron who had been an absolute star all day. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it on any other horse. On the way back to the trailer, we did a couple more jumps, taking our tally for the day to 36. I had been riding him for three-and-a-half hours in all. Not a bad day...”

It is quite a challenge to have completed, particularly as Peter only took up riding five years ago. Would he do it again? “Probably not. But I’m so glad I have, because, most importantly, we’ve raised a lot of money and I’m still hoping for further donations.”

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/teams/withoutasaddle.

Planning ahead for the Great Yorkshire

PLANS are well under way for the equine section at the Great Yorkshire Show (July10-12) and schedules are now available.

Last year’s event attracted more than 2,000 entries for the equine classes from across the UK, with a further 200 entries for the show-jumping section.

Horse of the Year Show qualifying classes are always an important feature of the show with 37 of these scheduled.

Highlights of the three days include the TopSpec Supreme Ridden Championship which will take place on Wednesday afternoon. There is a change of format this year with three rather than two judges and more involvement for spectators as the judges will display their marks. The judges are Angela Tucker and Sandy Anderson, with a third to be confirmed.

The Cuddy Supreme, the culmination of the in-hand classes, will be held on the Thursday afternoon, judged by Sue Hide.

The Retrained Racehorse class will be held on the Tuesday and Riding Horse and Private Driving classes are on the Wednesday.

Exhibitors can now enter online or via the usual entry form. The deadline for entries is May 1 and for show-jumping it is June 1. For more information go to www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk.

The Hurworth point-to-point takes place today at Skutterskelfe Park, Hutton Rudby.

Racing starts at 1pm with the Members’ race when Go On Be A Lady could be in with a good chance.

The Ladies’ Open race has attracted a large field. Jacqueline Coward has several options, including Amicelli if he did not get into yesterday’s Christie’s Foxhunters race at Cheltenham..

In the Men’s Open, Harry Bannister has a choice between Borero or Sonevafushi.

Sam Drake won her second AGA Ladies’ Open Championship qualifier in a week, this time riding Keeverfield, last weekend at Dalton Park.

Sam is in contention for the AGA Total Control Championship, lying in equal fourth place with 28 points.

Badger hopes to be star attraction as centre seeks homes

A PONY that was too weak to even stand when he was first rescued by World Horse Welfare three years ago, is now fit and well and embarking on a new career as a driving pony.

Badger, a five-year-old piebald cob, was found abandoned in Oldham and was in a very poor state when he was taken to the charity’s Penny Farm rescue centre at Blackpool. Thin, dehydrated and sufferingg from rain scald, Badger had to be lifted to his feet by staff for several days as he was too weak to stand.

Following successful rehabilitation, he was broken in for riding and is now also learning about driving.

Fran Williamson, the centre manager at Penny Farm, said: “He is so laid back and he has taken to it really well, so we will continue to develop him as a dual purpose pony over the next few months.”

Staff hope that Badger will be a star attraction at Penny Farm’s Open Day in September and that shortly after he will be ready to be rehomed.

This month is the charity’s ‘Rehome a Horse Month’. They are appealing to members of the public to consider offering one of their horses a home as all their four rescue centres are currently full and they are struggling to find space for new admissions.

For more information go to www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rehoming.

There are some leading names among the entries for the new Advanced event at Burgham next weekend.

North Yorkshire’s Nicola Wilson, along with fellow leading riders Ruth Edge, Ian Stark and Matthew Wright are among those likely to be competing in the inaugural Advanced event at the Northumberland venue.

There are four courses with classes for Advanced, Intermediate, Open Intermediate, Novice, BE100 Open and BE 100.