Wonders of the Wolds revealed with new route

The event was the idea of Ride Yorkshire, an organisation which has been set up to promote leisure riding in the county.

It marked the opening of a new, 60-mile circular route which has been created in the Wolds with the support of LEADER East Yorkshire.

This involves European funding which is to be used by areas as part of a rural economic development programme.

The route is intended to attract new riding business to the area and for the fun ride, people had the option of riding six-, 10- or 16-mile sections of the new route.

“The weather was wonderful and comments from riders were hugely encouraging,” said John Yeomans, one of the organisers.

“Many had no knowledge of the area and said they were amazed at the spectacular scenery and wonderful riding over the sweeping landscape with its deep, grassy valleys.”

The fun ride raised £1,400 which will be used by the Ride Yorkshire Foundation to provide riding and access to horses for youngsters who would otherwise not be able to enjoy this.

Ride Yorkshire organisers are planning further routes in the Dales and in the Howardian Hills/Castle Howard areas for next Spring.

For more information about the organisation,go to www.rideyorkshire.org.

AS we all know only too well, it is Bonfire Night on Saturday which can be a very anxious time for horse owners. The British Horse Society is keen to get the message across to members of the public about how distressing fireworks can be for horses, as well as reminding owners about the best way of keeping their horses calm.

“People organising firework displays should inform local horse owners and it is also a good idea not to let off fireworks anywhere near fields or farms,” said a BHS spokeswoman. “Most people don’t realise how much suffering fireworks cause animals, particularly horses.”

The BHS advice to owners includes the reminder that fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields or stables.

Try to find out if there are any displays planned for nearby and warn local organisers, councils and schools that there are horses in the area.

It is best to keep your horse in its normal routine and in a familiar environment, say the BHS. The advice is available as a downloadable poster, along with further information, from www.horseaccidents.org.uk.

Balcarres House in Fife will be the new venue for the CC1 one-star and CCI two-star horse trials which previously ran at Burgie. Balcarres International Horse Trials will run from June 14 to 17, organised by James Oakden and his team from Central Scotland Horse Trials.

The cross-country courses will be designed by Eric Winter. He said: “It is always very exciting but challenging to start with a completely blank canvas. For 2012, I want the course to be suitable for first time CCI two-star horses, so that everyone goes away having learned from the experience.”

Alongside the international classes, there will also be BE90, BE100 and Novice sections.