Spinal Research bike ride from Burghley to Blenheim
A 120-mile cycle ride from Burghley to Blenheim Horse Trials is being organised in aid of Spinal Research as part of its Saddle Up campaign.
Mandy Lacock, a long-term supporter of Spinal Research, is cycling the whole route but is asking people, and especially members of the Pony Club to join her on their bikes along the way.
The ride will start from the main arena at Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire on Friday 5 September and finish in the main arena at Blenheim Horse Trials in Woodstock, Oxfordshire on Friday 12 September.
Mandy is hoping that more than 100 people will be taking part in various stages of the ride.
Mandy told H&H: “Last year I cycled from Henbury, in Cheshire to Burghley, which took me five days, but this time I’ve decided to cycle from Burghley to Blenheim.
“I’d really like to get as many people involved as possible. I’ve contacted all the local Pony Clubs to see if their members, and families, would like to take part in a section of the ride.
“I will be drawing up a five-mile route each day that I will invite people to join me on. But if they only want to cycle a mile after school then that would be great too.”
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Five-time Burghley winner Ginny Elliot, who is patron of the Saddle Up campaign, will be taking part in some of the cycle ride too.
Ginny said: “Mandy’s cycle challenge is a wonderful opportunity for horse riders to show their support for Spinal Research’s Saddle Up campaign.
“It is a great way to raise much-needed funds for the charity’s groundbreaking research that will get people walking again after they have been paralysed.
“They can only do this with your help, so sign up now for a fantastic challenge and maybe you will be the one to join me in the main arena at Burghley or Blenheim!”
Twenty lucky people will join Ginny and Mandy centre stage in the main areas, ten at Burghley and ten at Blenheim. To be one of the chosen few the Pony Club members are being asked to write to Ginny saying why it is their dream to enter the main arena at either event.
It is hoped that the seven-day bike ride between two of Britain’s most prestigious events will promote awareness of spinal cord injury among the equestrian community.
Mandy told H&H: “I’ve been fundraising for Spinal Research since about 2001, Over the years I’ve raised about £15,000 from events such as race nights and sponsored walks — but this is my first major challenge!”
To take part in the cycle ride please contact Mandy on 01260 224538 or email saddle-up@spinal-research.org
A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.