What a brilliant turnout of riders attended the Annual Sponsored Horse Ride on 30th May. It was a dry but very windy day for the 120 participants who all received a very splendid yellow rosette inscribed with the Loros Logo when they completed the six, ten or 13 mile ride. There was a welcoming ‘pit stop’ part of the way round for refreshments, then off into the beautiful countryside around Launde Abbey into unknown territory for many, the long ride took about two hours to complete at a steady pace (no galloping was allowed)! A few wrong turns were taken, but everyone was counted back in safe and happy.The senior cup went to Lesley Collings who raised over £1,000, a tremendous result.
The junior cup went to eight year old Louise Mawby on her very pretty chestnut pony and accompanied by two very fit ladies who raised an amazing £150.
Another cup was awarded to nine year old Louise Arnold who also raised a whopping £70.
A BIG thank you to them and to everyone who took part in this fun day. The total raised from the ride for the hospice was £5,000.
See you all next year and keep on riding!
Sally Thomas and
Ginny Heathcote Ball
The Sponsored Ride on a windy May day,
With riders galore it is here to stay,
They start at Oxey, home of the Wrights,
With jodhpurs so fitted they looked like tights.
Some horses were calm and some quite wild
Ditto the jockeys but mostly quite mild.
Through fields and woods and the odd rough track,
They disappeared for hours….will they ever come back.
The ‘girls’ in the lorry collect the money
From 10 til 12 thank heavens it’s sunny.
Signing in to start and when they return
Some still get lost….will they never learn.
to read a map or follow the sun,
Or listen to instructions…..excuse the pun,
Cause every year we hope and pray,
The riders will improve before we turn grey.
The rosettes were yellow and really quite plush,
Pinned onto bridles which made some riders blush.
The day was successful and should raise a few grand
So thank you to the farmers for access to their land.
GHB
30th May, 2010.
