Rideathon
π Saddle up and seize the weekend π
This weekend is the last weekend to gather your kilometres for Rideathon. π΄
We would love to see your adventures so far, pop a picture of you out and about in the comment section below. π·
Please note that any image that are posted could possibly be use for future BHS social posts or other campaigns. π
Patrick's first ride π
Patrick's first ride π
Our BHS President, Martin Clunes, says a massive thank you to all our Rideathon supporters who are taking part to save our precious off-road routes π
It's not too late to save our right to ride π https://bit.ly/3UtRhrfβββ
#RideathonChallenge #KeepBritainRiding
New gate
Have you signed up to Rideathon yet? If not, thereβs still time π΄
The Rideathon Challenge helps raise money for the BHS Ride Out Fund which helps to keep equestrian routes accessible. . π³π
In this video, a new gate has been installed in Meltham, West Yorkshire, with funding from the Ride Out Fund. The previous gate had been reported persistently by the local Equestrian Access Group and Access and Bridleway Officer for Kirklees as it was difficult to use whilst on horseback. π¨π»βπ©πΌβπ§π»βπ¦πΌ
This is just one of many projects that the Ride Out Fund supports to help keep equestrian routes open. πͺπ»π₯°
To sign up to Rideathon today ππ» https://bit.ly/3UtRhrf
On your marks, get set, go ππ»
Todays the day that the Rideathon Challenge begins!
Itβs time to catch your favourite four-legged friend and get out and about to protect our off-road routes. Whether you walk, ride or carriage drive, every kilometre counts. π
So letβs make this July one to remember! If you havenβt already signed up, follow the link and join hundreds of people all over the country and take part in the challenge ππ» https://bit.ly/3UtRhrf
Through the ears
ππ» A few weeks ago, Access Field Officer Wendy Bannerman, enjoyed riding in the Northamptonshire countryside in the good company of the County Access and Bridleways Officer for BHS Northamptonshire and the Treasurer for Warwickshireβs BHS Committee.
π Housing and industry developments are spreading out in Northamptonshire, so protecting off road routes has never been so important.
If you havenβt already why not sign up to this years Rideathon Challenge and help fundraise to protect off road access ππ» https://bit.ly/3UtRhrf
Plan a ride and picnic as part of Rideathon this summer! βοΈ
Today is International Picnic Dayπ§Ί
Why not plan a ride and picnic as part of Rideathon this summer? βοΈ
Get ready for a July filled with adventure and riding. Let's Keep Britain Riding together π https://bit.ly/3UtRhrfββ β
#RideathonChallenge #KeepBritainRiding
When to ride two abreast?
When to ride two abreast and when to ride single file on roads? π
The Ride Safe Award teaches riders of all ages vital skills while out and about. Being aware of your environment is key to staying safe on your horse.
Learn more π https://bit.ly/3T2VwKD
benefit of safe off-eroad access
Episode 3 of when we went to visit Richard Davison, BHS Fellow and four-time Olympian, European and World medallist. π
In this episode Richard talks to us about how safe off-road access would benefit his horses. ππ»
Hacking in his area
Episode 2 of when we went to visit Richard Davison, BHS Fellow and four-time Olympian, European and World medallist. π
In this episode Richard talks to us about the limited hacking in his area and the challenges equestrians face when hacking out. ππ»
Richard Davidson
Last summer we visited Richard Davidson to talk about why safe off-road riding is so important, over the next couple of weeks we will be sharing a series of short videos based on the interview. π΄π³
A Christmas Message
On behalf of all the Access Team, we would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you for your support over this last year and to wish you a very Merry Christmas. πππ
π»
Do you know how to pass a horse?
A shocking 69 horses were killed on our roads last year!
To stop these tragic incidents from happening, we are urging drivers to π
1οΈβ£ Slow down to 10mph when passing a horse
2οΈβ£ Be patient, I wonβt sound my horn or rev my engine.
3οΈβ£ Pass the horse wide and slow β at least 2 metres
4οΈβ£ Drive slowly away.
π€ Share this video with your friends and family to keep everyone safe on the roads!
Binsted Bridleway 62
π Binsted Bridleway 62, Hampshire.
π On Wednesday 6 September, the BHS Director of Access, Mark Weston, and the BHS Head of Access, Will Steel, attended the opening of Binsted Bridleway 62.
π² We are delighted to say that the resurfacing of the bridleway has now been fully completed. Bridleway 62 is a key route, providing off road access as well as linking to other off-road sites, in an area where off-road access is scarce.
ππ» The bridleway was in such poor condition throughout most of the year that it often prevented locals from using it. Thanks to the hard work of our local Volunteer Access & Bridleways Officer Gill Plumbley, and the support and funding from the BHS Ride Out Fund, Tarmac Community Trust, Hampshire County Council Rural Community Fund, Binsted Parish Council, BHS Hampshire Committee, Alton Ramblers and the South Downs National Park, it has been possible to completely renovate this route.
ποΈ The bridleway has been raised, drainage added and resurfaced along much of its route. It now provides a wonderful opportunity to be a fully inclusive off road route year- round.
π The Binsted Parish Council is βdelighted that all the hard work from the whole BHS team has paid offβ, and Hampshire County Council praised the dedication of the team working on the project to overcome the challenges of the route and are very pleased with the outcome.
ππ»The BHS would like to thank all those involved in making this such a successful endeavour, a plaque to acknowledge the huge input from Tarmac is being mounted at the entrance to the bridleway.
To find out more and donate to our Ride Out Fund ππ» www.bhs.org.uk/about-us/our-access-work/ride-out-fund/
Access and Rights of Way.
Charlotte Thompson, Access Projects & Communication Coordinator, recently met with Richard Davison, BHS Fellow and four-time Olympian, European and World medallist, to talk about how you can protect our access and right of way for equestrians π³β°οΈπ
To find out more about Access and Rights of Way ππ» www.bhs.org.uk/about-us/our-access-work
Ruth Bennett
π Mark Weston, Director of Access, caught up with BHS Equestrian Access Group member, Ruth Bennett, at The Royal Welsh Show.
π©βπ§βπ¦ Ruth is a member of Brynna Taff Ely Bridleways RCT Group and spoke to us about her fantastic achievement of being placed second, in the BHS sponsored Trekking and Ride Safe class.
π We would like to say congratulations to Ruth on the wonderful result.
π΅π» To find out more about Ride Safe www.bhs.org.uk/careers-recreational-awards/recreational-awards/ride-safe/
Catterick Gates
π Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire
πLocal horse riders reported that a bridleway in Catterick had four gates that had become inaccessible to use on horseback. This was originally reported to BHS Access Field Officer for Yorkshire, Mark Corrigan. Mark Corrigan worked closely with North Yorkshire County Council to resolve the problematic gates.
πNorth Yorkshire County Council replaced the gates jointly funded by the BHS Ride Out Fund. Four new gates were installed on the bridleway.
Your support for our campaigns such as Rideathon Challenge and Ride Out UK, and donations straight to the Ride Out Fund, enables us to improve equestrian access across the UK. π
To find out more about access ππ» https://www.bhs.org.uk/about-us/our-access-work/ride-out-fund/
Llandrindod Wells by horse and carriage.
πOn the 4 May, BHS Access Field Officer for Wales, Helen Donnan, accompanied Penny Nicholson, local volunteer Access Bridleways Officer, around the lake in Llandrindod Wells by horse and carriage, where the council has provided an Active Travel Lane and restricted road traffic to one way. The adjacent one-way system was ideal, with a central parking area which came in handy to pull in and let traffic pass when necessary. Ozzy the cob was not too sure about crossing the grills across the road which were toad tunnels, but other than that, he was well-behaved throughout.
The morning was concluded with lunch at the Llanerch Inn in Llandrindod, where a horse corral funded by the BHS Ride Out Fund and βfree parkingβ for horses is provided. Other guests and their children at the Inn were enchanted at seeing a horse in a corral next to the beer garden! The Horse Park is a free facility for anyone who wishes to ride or drive their horse into town. A secure tack locker is provided adjacent to the corrals. ππ₯π
πPenny hopes to raise the profile of equine travel even further by applying for a licence to operate a horse-drawn hackney carriage, for locals and tourists alike. This not only will highlight the rights of horses as road users under the highway code but addresses the urgent question of reducing carbon emissions from transport, wherever possible.
π΅π»To find out more about how we support Carriage Driving www.bhs.org.uk/go-riding/riding-out-hacking/carriage-driving/
Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, our Road Safety Ambassador shares her near-miss experience
Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, our Road Safety Ambassador shares her near-miss experience!
π We're rallying equestrians around the country to raise money and make off-road riding safer again. Sign up to the Rideathon Challenge today π https://www.bhs.org.uk/support-us/our-campaigns/ride-out-uk/rideathon/
π #RideathonChallenge is proudly sponsored by Horse & Country TV
#RaiseWhileYouRide