Funrides 2011- 2012 News
We love attending Funride Events, meeting the riders and their horses, plus the organisers and their helpers. However, we can't attend all events, so love to hear from you about the ride, let us know what you liked, anything you think organisers should include next time and photo's of you out enjoying the ride!
To send in your own ride report and photo, click here to fill in our online form and it may then be featured here on the site!
Ride Reviews
Adderley 2012
Adderley Funride 2012
Wow! What glorious weather after Saturdays overcast day! Today I was being brave, with Robs horse away for training it was just me and Gemini looking to go to Adderely. It would be our first funride on our own, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little nervous! Good news is, we had a fab day! Gemini was keen as a bean. So much so we were barely out of trot and canter for most of the ride and negotiated pretty much every jump. We met some nice people along the way and saw so many other coloured cobs too. A recommended ride for everyone, with jumps at average height to suit all abilities. Lovely route and mixed terrain! Thank You! Photographs available at FOTOGRAFFS website
Malpas Funride
Back again this year, a good ride and we liked the series of jumps which alloiwed us to warm the horses up and get intop rhythm. A good route and again lots of riders. There are bigger jumps for those more ambitious riders. We want to send our regards to the fallen rider at the bush fence, we saw the Air Ambulance and hope that he/she is on the mend.
Norton - In - Hales Funride
This was our first ride last year and it was just as good this year. As well as seeing a lot fo familiar faces, there was a clear community support. We did the reverse route of 2010, which I think I actually preferred. This ride is IDEAL for first time funriders and young horses. The route is varied and the jumps are really good, none are massive and suit novice and nervous riders.
Cholmondely Ride
WOW! This was our first time at Chomondely and it was great! A real varied route and a bounty of jumps for those keen to get off the ground. There was alassive turnout for this ride and lots of fresh excitable neddies. It was great to have access to a lot of XC fences, ideal for training and testing your skill on. Although a few of us got a bit lost around the XC and Mitchell Equestrian XC, we did manage to somehow get back on course. lol. Loved the end bit through the woodland, everyone looked to be having a fab time.
Cholmondely Funride 2011
Cholmondely Funride 2011
Hawkstone Scenic Funride, 11th September 2011
It was out first time at Hawkstone this year and we had been told by a number of riders that it is a must to attend and how right they are! We had a fabulous day riding across a very varied route, from open fields to gallop across, woodland tracks, hilly in places and all that with AMAZING views! I was really chuffed to see that the fence builders had provided two jump options throughout the route, small and large to suit different levels of rider. This meant I built up the confidence along to way to jump the big fence at the end where Countrystyle Photography were waiting to take a snapshot!
I must ask, did anyone else feel like the Paparazzi was out? LOL. Along the ride we saw so many people taking photos. A shadow on the hill, a car stalking along the track and maybe one in the bushes to get a great shot at some of the other jumps? Don't worry, they were in fact the people helping keep watch on the ride, especially by all the jumps. It was great to see the enthusiasm and support people were giving the ride. We gave some a wave and we were happy in the knowledge that if I decided to hit the decks (which I almost did at one point) there was someone near by to help out.
It was a pleasure to meet Organiser Beverley and all the other members who helped make the day happen and were so very friendly and looked equally excited about the day! I believe there was over 250 maybe nearer 300 riders on the day and not a single drop of rain! Next years Hawkstone Scenic Funride is on the 9th September 2012, it's in my diary, is it in yours?
Leonie (FunridesUK)
Photos Courtesy of Countrystyle Photography
(C) Funrides UK 2006-2011
Sansaw Funride, 4th September
Despite the lack of rain leading to very hard ground conditions there was a very good turnout for the Sansaw funride on September 4th. This ride is one of four annual rides organised by the North Shropshire hunt with part of the proceeds going to the Severn hospice...a very worthy cause. 267 riders took part last Sunday, with many commenting to us how they enjoyed the new route. Many riders also enjoyed the new jump built especially for the funride which was beautifully dressed and positioned in front of the Sansaw Estate house. All in all a good day...the next North Shropshire Hunt Funride is on September 18th at Battlefield.
Jean Frooms (Countrystyle Photography)
Owen & Rose Patterson on their two lovely horses >
Shropshire Beagles Funride - 28th August 2011
Thank you to the 114 Horses & riders who attended our Fun ride. Judging by the
feed back we all received, everyone enjoyed themselves. The 'Gallops' seem to be a
real feature that make our Fun ride unique. Not everyone has somewhere they can
have a good gallop when the ground is so hard or without fear of putting a hoof down a rabbit hole!
Next year we hope to extend the course to include more woodland, but will keep the general format, feed back has been that the twists & turns make it feel uncrowded with other riders often hidden from view. Many thanks to CJ Wildbird food for the use of their yard, so much easier for lorries & trailers on the concrete. Hope to see you all again next year, please get your friends to come along too!
Thanks, Jean. Secretary, Shropshire Beagles
Photographers Link
The Isle Funride - 14th August 2011
A fab day out with a mass of XC jumps to suit all levels of rider. A much appreciated drink stop part way through, so Thank you ladies who passed out the refreshment! Both Gemini & Mickey (Robs Horse) jumped new jumps they had never done before, including the table (smaller!), Coffins, ditch and the steps (a hairy moment for me when Gemini decided to jump UP then down leaving me in the air on the steps!) It was great to see Michaela out on her lovely new Skewbald Harry! An exciting 281 riders took part, with donations to Severn Hospice and the Air Ambulance. Thanks to the North Shropshire Hunt, Mr Edward Tate who allowed us to ride around the Isle Estate. Photos & More news at Countrystyle Photography. Regards, Leonie & Rob
The Trails Trust WHITE HORSE RIDE – 17 July 2011
After days of preparation in the wet tagging the ride, all helpers and riders woke to a very wet and windy July day. The owners of the venue, the Francis family at Falkland Farm, Somerset, are to be thanked for their kind generosity, even lending their trailer for the TTT secretary, Jill and Sue, who were then able to stay nice and dry. Both young and old alike enjoyed the scenic countryside, riding 6 or 12 miles. The first 6 miles consisted of three bridleways and quiet country lanes with opportunities to canter.
Our photographer, Celia (Tyncelyn Photography) was able to take good photos of all. One of these bridleways, known to the locals as Green Parlour, only exists because of the Trails Trust, as they had created it.
The 12 mile ride included a further 4 bridleways giving fantastic views of Bath, Wells, Westbury White Horse, Peasedown St John and Wellow. One rider said, “You could see for miles, as the sun did shine eventually”. Another one said, “Well organised, lots of lovely marshals, well tagged.”
No one had a bad word to say and no one got lost. The Trails Trust has a good, friendly fund-raising team that strives to help entertain their members. If anyone has any ideas for more fund raising please email events@thetrailstrust.org.uk.
Photos Courtessy of
"Celia Hughes / www.tyncelynphoto.co.uk
23rd July - The Cannock Chase Sponsored Ride in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance
Drew 50 riders from all over the Midlands, some from as far away as Oxfordshire! The day dawned wet but failed to dampen riders’ spirits and they were rewarded with clear skies by mid morning and sunshine later on. The attached photo says it all! We are still counting sponsorship and there is more to come but a healthy £500+ has been raised so far to help a cause close to many a rider’s heart. Pam.
Photo Courtesy of Bob Turner Photography
BISSELL WOOD FUNRIDE
Photo Credit
www.noblephotos.co.uk
2nd July - Bissellwood Ride (Worcestershire)
Another good day for weather at the July Bissellwood Equestrian Centre Funride, with 94 riders taking part and £100 being raised for the Air Ambulance. There are two XC courses within a self contained wood, ranging from the diddies at 18" to the 2ft3/2ft9 and 3ft 6 fences. Totalling in all, over 100 jumps to suit all levels of rider and confidence! Their next ride is on the 2nd August 2011! Thanks to Neville and June Cope at Bissellwood Equestrian Centre for getting in touch about their events.
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