Horse riders given safe option with new bridlepath in Rutland

A new bridleway has opened for horse riders near the village of Lyddington, in south Rutland.

The bridlepath is 4.5km in length, following a circular route through a river valley, allowing riders to stay away from busy roads.

Farmer Andrew Brown has opened up the track with the help of £32,000 funding from Natural England.

The grant has also gone towards reverting arable land to pasture, introducing pollen and nectar mixes and providing “foot drains” where wading birds can feed.

He said: “I was galvanised into action after an horrific accident a couple of years ago when a car ran into a rider, killed the horse and broke the back of the rider.

“We’ve had letters of support from local riding groups and individual riders.

Bridleways are few and far between in Rutland so this should be popular.”

Mr Brown has also been working with the RSPB to encourage more birds into the area.

Minister for Overseas Development Alan Duncan, who lives in the area, is officially opening the bridleway at 10am, on Saturday, 16 October. Members of Cottesmore Hunt are also expected, along with other riders.

For more information, visit www.visitourfarm.co.uk

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