Category Archives: Ride Reports and photos

RIDE REPORT FROM DOLPHINHOLME

RIDE REPORT FROM DOLPHINHOLME Sat 27th August 2016 .

Lancs group EGB are supporting the Charity Echo in Africa charity which has been providing a screening programme for the occurrence of rheumatic heart disease in children from the townships of Cape Town.. These children do not have access to the medical facilities which you or I would expect and this screening programme may be the only means of their illness being detected.  Further details of this charity can be accessed on the British Society of Echocardiography website.

The Monday before the ride we were notified by the venue that unless the weather improved the ride would have to be cancelled due to ground conditions. So Janet and I spent the evening advising people by text, EGB website and Facebook that it was likely the ride would not happen. Then late Wednesday evening we were told the ride could go ahead after all though with some changes to the anticipated route. Friday saw Janet and I walking the lanes, fells and bridleways around the area marking routes ready for Saturday’s event and having last minute chats with the landowners whose land we were crossing before heading off to the Apple Store for a pretty late lunch. We were more than a little worried that the weather would break again and force the dreaded cancellation.

On Saturday the weather was fantastic. Although the route had to be altered because of ground conditions and was boggy in some parts, the majority of the 49 riders seemed to really enjoy the day, especially the views across Morecambe Bay from above Fell End. Most of our riders were non-EGB members and they seemed to enjoy themselves tremendously, let’s hope they enjoyed it so much that they want to do it again and again. We would like to say thanks to all the riders who went carefully along the bridleway at Lane Head. As we discovered on Friday this actually passed through someone’s front garden, must remember that for next time. A few riders did seem to get lost here and there but everyone ultimately got back safe and sound to the venue. Perhaps we should’ve put more markers out but we assumed that because the route incorporated designated bridleways and was marked as such on the OS map and on posts it was obvious where the route lay. Obviously a case of assume nothing.

Beth Eastham of JustBE photography was there on the day and took some super pictures. Please have a look at the ride photos on her website or via Facebook. Beth is also doing a write up about the ride which will be in Lancashire Life and will include some pictures of the event.

Many thanks have to go to Helen and Kenny at Swainshead Farm, Ayurveda Northern Approach for permitting access across their land for last Saturday (please note this part of the ride was only accessible for the day). Finally big Thanks to Dolphinholme Country Ride for allowing us to use their super facilities.
Please order  photos from:-

http://photographyjustbe.co.uk/f438775667

Ride Reports and Photos

 

 

 

Sun 9th April 201Croal Irwell Valley Pleasure Ride.
Please order your pictures at http://www.whatapicture.biz

Croal is a lovely ride and was blessed with great weather, a big thank you to Cath Houghton and her crew for doing a super job as usual of organising it.

Sunday 23rd October 2016
Croal Irwell Valley.

Please order your pictures at http://www.whatapicture.biz

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Saturday 8th October 2016
Formby Pleasure Ride

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Sunday 11th September 2016.
Medlock Valley Pleasure Ride

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Saturday 24th September 2016.
RIDE REPORT FROM BARTON RIDE 2016

The week before the ride was very busy with people trying to get a place on what is proving to be a very popular ride on the calendar. Maxine Braithwaite did a fantastic job of taking entries and keeping everyone up to date with what was happening via Facebook and text. This year we decided to alter the route as the last stretch back to the venue is quite a busy road and a long drag with little variation, so I spent an afternoon driving round talking to land owners with no success, hence we used Langley Lane and the bridleway past the pig shed to return to the venue this year.

The weather on the morning wasn’t fantastic but at least it wasn’t too windy and the rain held off. 61 riders set off from the venue Barton Equestrian Centre helped across the motorway bridges by Evelyn and Arnold when needed, to do either a 15 km or 24 km route. The bridleway just after the duck farm had eroded very badly so I got in touch with Lancashire County Council 2 months ago to explain our predicament of sending 60 riders along a path with a large hole in it……the fantastic result was that instead of just filling it in they put in a new drain on BOTH sides of the stream and cleared away a lot of overgrowth making it much more user friendly…a big thank you to Stephen Williams for his support.

The marking proved to be spot on with only 2 riders getting slightly lost as they were discussing their Christmas dinner and went past the turning into the duck farm but then met up with Bec and Max who put them back on the route! Dave Gaskell had bought a new lens for the occasion and I am sure you will agree his photos are fabulous……look on his website davegaskellpictures.com to find yours! The last bridleway back to the venue got a bit deep and muddy but when you consider 120 horses had used it that day it held up reasonably well and was certainly a better option than using a busy-ish road. Sadly, despite a poster  at the secretaries’ desk and Linda the starter asking people to keep off the verges, a couple of our riders churned up a lovely grass verge in Goosnargh village and two riders went so fast past cattle in an open building that they spooked them causing some of them to fall over…. it makes me wonder what happened to the un- written rule of walking past livestock and through private yards/property? Hopefully this totally selfish behaviour of members of Lancashire group will not jeopordise the running of this ride in future years. This ride report cannot be complete without a mention of our lovely Alice who baked some delicious  cakes and biscuits raising almost £50 on the day for her chosen charity of the Blue Cross animal charity. Many thanks go to all our helpers on and before the day, without them giving up their time we wouldn’t be able to put a ride on at all and also to Barton equestrian for letting us take over their car park and supplying scrummy refreshments on the day. Hope to see you all again next year.

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RIDE REPORT FROM DOLPHINHOLME Sat 27th August 2016 .

Lancs group EGB are supporting the Charity Echo in Africa charity which has been providing a screening programme for the occurrence of rheumatic heart disease in children from the townships of Cape Town.. These children do not have access to the medical facilities which you or I would expect and this screening programme may be the only means of their illness being detected.  Further details of this charity can be accessed on the British Society of Echocardiography website.

The Monday before the ride we were notified by the venue that unless the weather improved the ride would have to be cancelled due to ground conditions. So Janet and I spent the evening advising people by text, EGB website and Facebook that it was likely the ride would not happen. Then late Wednesday evening we were told the ride could go ahead after all though with some changes to the anticipated route. Friday saw Janet and I walking the lanes, fells and bridleways around the area marking routes ready for Saturday’s event and having last minute chats with the landowners whose land we were crossing before heading off to the Apple Store for a pretty late lunch. We were more than a little worried that the weather would break again and force the dreaded cancellation.

On Saturday the weather was fantastic. Although the route had to be altered because of ground conditions and was boggy in some parts, the majority of the 49 riders seemed to really enjoy the day, especially the views across Morecambe Bay from above Fell End. Most of our riders were non-EGB members and they seemed to enjoy themselves tremendously, let’s hope they enjoyed it so much that they want to do it again and again. We would like to say thanks to all the riders who went carefully along the bridleway at Lane Head. As we discovered on Friday this actually passed through someone’s front garden, must remember that for next time. A few riders did seem to get lost here and there but everyone ultimately got back safe and sound to the venue. Perhaps we should’ve put more markers out but we assumed that because the route incorporated designated bridleways and was marked as such on the OS map and on posts it was obvious where the route lay. Obviously a case of assume nothing.

Beth Eastham of JustBE photography was there on the day and took some super pictures. Please have a look at the ride photos on her website or via Facebook. Beth is also doing a write up about the ride which will be in Lancashire Life and will include some pictures of the event.

Many thanks have to go to Helen aSunday 11th September 2016.
Medlock Valley Pleasure Ridend Kenny at Swainshead Farm, Ayurveda Northern Approach for permitting access across their land for last Saturday (please note this part of the ride was only accessible for the day). Finally big Thanks to Dolphinholme Country Ride for allowing us to use their super facilities.
Please order  photos from:-

http://photographyjustbe.co.uk/f438775667

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Sat 13th August 2016
Waterside Paris Social Ride

 

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Sunday 3rd July 2016.
Pick up Bank Blast

Please order your pictures from http://www.whatapicture.biz

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Saturday 18th June 2016.
Wardle Bridleways 30th Anniversary ride.

Once again a big thank you to Sarah Bamber  Nicky Clark and their helpers for the very well organised Wardle Bridleways Pleasure Ride, wonderfully marked a great fun day with yummy refreshments afterwards.

 

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Sunday 22nd May 2016
Piethorn Lancashire Group

Sarah Bamber & Nicky Clark
A big thank you to Sarah Bamber  Nicky Clark and all your helpers for the very well organised Piethorn Pleasure Ride, weather was good and the views and markings were fantastic.

Marking the ride is not an easy task.

Enjoying the ride is easy.

Untitled

https://www.facebook.com/annette.schumerhuurman/videos/990860071028479/

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Croal Ride 10th April 2016,
A great day and the weather was good, thanks to Cath and Jamie Houghton for organising this ride. Its a great ride with little road one for the future.

Photos will be available at www.whatapicture.biz. Please buy and not copy as Edwin supports us all the time.

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Ulnes Walton Wander 24th April 2016

A big thanks to Sue and her helpers the weather was great and the ride went smoothly. lots of great grades.

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Watergrove Womble 28th June 2015
Our Ride the Watergrove Womble which took place on the 28th June went very well we limited parking to 40 riders as this is the first time we have held it at this location we had riders ride 12/14/24K which where all hard as the was a number of large hills
in it, open moors and long stony lanes, everyone seemed  to enjoy it and asked if we was doing  it again  this year, two ladies traveled down from North Cumbria (over 2 hours) and where very happy and couldn’t wait to come and do it again. we even had a trophy for the best turned out  Elizabeth Nabb won it.
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Croal Irwell Valley 13th September 2015

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Formby Point 5th September 2015
Lovely ride great weather a big thanks to Glenda and helpers for a wonderful ride.

Medlock Valley 9th August 2015

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Ulnes Walton Wander 26th April 2015

After worrying about the bad weather forecast given for the weekend the Ulnes Walton Wander was very lucky indeed. Showers were on and off all day Saturday but we managed to mark on all the dry areas so the markers stuck thank goodness.
Sunday turned out to be blue skies and sunny although there was a cool breeze, just right for riding. The day went well with lots of Grade ones. A massive thanks to all the Marshall’s and Officials the rides would not go on without you.
Please take a look at your photos on www.whatapicture.biz and support our photographer Edwin, he has been a star supporting all the rides with his camera.

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ULNES WALTON BRIDLEWAYS HALLOWEEN RIDE Sunday 7th November 2014
Yet again the weather held out for the Halloween ride, it was well supported with plenty of wonderful outfits, an end of season short ride but everyone always seem to enjoy the fun part of this ride.
A big thanks to Sue Taylor-Green and her team of helpers and an even even bigger thanks to the support of all the riders local and from afar. I hope you have all been on www.whatabicture.biz for some brilliant photos.

FORMBY PINK RIDE Saturday, 18 October 2014.

A fabulous and most successful FORMBY PINK RIDE.

We’d had heavy rain during the night but by 7am a breeze kept the clouds moving and eventually by 9am the sun filtered through. Folk were rallying around everywhere setting up camp. Jean Merchant and Janette Hunter made an incredibly difficult task look easy with the car park – imagine if you’d not all fitted in.… there were 87 of you!!
Thanks to Sarah and Alison Bamber as Timekeepers, and our Marshall’s Barbara Bird and Maxine Braithwaite on CP1, Karen Corr and Evelyn Helm on CP2 and Graham & Amy Suthren (family of one of our riders) on CP3. Thanks go to our smashing guys from “RAYNET Voluntary Emergency Communications” giving us peace of mind with safety on this ride located at the venue and all Checkpoints (even they were wearing pink!), Edwin Devey our Ride Photographer located in the CP2 homeward bound area of the beach with his pink beany hat. Not forgetting our Ride Marshall’s Sue, Carla and Jenny checking the safety of our Riders en route. Back at base we had efficient helpers Janet Bebbington and Pamela Dunn. Jackie Lloyd with her new and impressive EGB Lancs Merchandise display and Linda Cowperthwaite doing Tombola with Jackie raising £190 – Wow!
The Ride en route was lit up with splashes of pink everywhere (horses and riders alike), as everyone joined in with the spirit of the day making the ride come alive to passers by – it was evident so much time and effort had been made! One walker on the beach even passed a fiver to a rider as a donation to our charity!
After the ride and all horses washed and settled, was our fantastic HOG ROAST at the venue supplied by Graham & Sharron Eyes’ “Piggin Best” and beautifully served by Sharron and her helper.
Due to our Betty’s 80th/Pink Ride being cancelled in August, we wanted Betty to feel special so we made sure she rode with bib No.1 on the ride, and afterwards, to eat her Hog Roast in comfort, we sat her at a pink table with matching parasol, balloons (blown up by Helen Fox), pink glasses, bubbly and a birthday cake supplied by Sue.
As Jean and I were dealing with bibs, rosettes and points- cards in the Secretary’s trailer, the smell of the food was driving us nuts as we’d not eaten since 5.30 that morning and we “could have eaten an ‘orse!” but, oh my goodness, it was well worth the wait when we eventually went for our Roast!
This is the part I dread, forgetting someone who’s helped make this day so successful, so may I take this opportunity of thanking EVERYONE that took part in any way (and you all know who you are).
Lastly, a thought to those poor folk who were looking forward to the ride so much, even those who actually got on the ride from the waiting list but had to drop out due to one thing or another, how frustrating!
Kirsten Nokling won £5 on the pink “Guess Her Name” horse – LIZZY and has donated it to our Pink charity, and Jamie & Cath Houghton & their horses won best pink getups.
Big thanks to the Southport Council, National Trust and Natural England who permitted us to ride on their land and, on this special occasion, to increase our rider numbers to 99. Also to the Venue farmer who commented, “you’d not have known there’d been a ride here yesterday”, so thanks folks for clearing away after you, it IS appreciated.
Update: Jean and I returned from de-marking the Ride the day after and were so glad it wasn’t held then as the route was amok with dog walkers everywhere, and the Rifle Range was in full swing too!
Finally, get on the Photographer’s website NOW (www.whatapicture.biz) and have a look at the amazing atmospheric photographs, some good action pics there, venue photos at the end!!
Please note: Edwin is donating 50% of his photograph profits to our Pink Cancer Charity so please buy loads of photos from Edwin folks.
On a final note, donations are still coming in but we shall update the final outcome at a later date.
Glenda & Jean (Ride Organisers)

 

Echo in Africa  6th September 2014, Barton Equestrian Centre

This was a new venue and a new route for EGB riders. I think that everyone would agree that the venue, Barton Equestrian Centre was great, having plenty of hard standing, a café and toilets. The owners made us very welcome despite having a show jumping event going on today. The route was entirely over public access land and can be ridden individually, BEC can be used as a starting point and they are happy to have you park there for a £5 fee, please phone beforehand to arrange.
We had 46 entries, the majority of whom were non-members, hopefully some of these will have enjoyed their day out so much and be desperate to join our group next season. There were no major incidents to report and most people seemed to like this route whilst agreeing that it is not the easiest going. In fact it was almost not going at all as a few days ago large tree had come down across the ‘duck farm track’. Janet and I had a few nervous days watching to see if the council would clear the obstruction. In the end it was actually one of the farmers from the duck farm (ducks and turkeys soon being got ready for Xmas don’t forget, promised I would mention them) who went out with a JCB and cleared the track. At this point I must also mention BT. They had also gone out but in this instance to dig the track up removing the central grassed area which is usually so good for a canter, maybe next year… I know some people had difficulty crossing the ford but as far as I know no-one got more than their ankles wet, thank goodness it hadn’t rained too much recently.
I do think the prize for perseverance must go to one of our non-members. Her horse had refused to load in the morning. Undeterred she arrived via different transport only to arrive at the venue to find that her horse loved it so much she didn’t want to leave and do the ride. In fact she loved BEC so much that she didn’t want to load and go home either and took a lot of ‘persuading’ that she really couldn’t stay any longer and it really was time for her to go home.
Many thanks to all helpers who turned out today. Most of all to Cath Tomlinson, who is totally non-horsey, my colleague and companion for the trip to Cape Town in October as part of the Echo in Africa charity. [Have I mentioned it to you before? Only a couple of dozen times I hear you all shout]. Cath unexpectedly turned up at the venue and spent her Saturday acting as your checkpoint Marshall when the expected person didn’t turn up. Massive thanks to Janet Bebbington who has ridden and walked these paths with and without me over the last few weeks and who has harried LCC and coerced farmers to remove obstructive trees on time. Also out there was a new photographer, Beth, your pics should be on her website JustBEphotography, she can also be found on Facebook, please try and give her your support.
Finally, apologies to all that the sunshine I had on order wasn’t delivered early enough and didn’t arrive until we were all back home, but it wasn’t too bad a day, was it!!

A BIG THANK YOU FROM MAXINE TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED OUR ECHO IN AFRICA RIDE. 

I am now back from my trip to South Africa to scan children for rheumatic heart disease as part of the Echo in Africa charity. Our group was the last of eight groups to go out this year and we have scanned a total of 1560 children. The project will run for the next five years with new children being included and children who we have identified as having heart disease being followed up for that time and beyond. All in all a very worthwhile process.
My own trip was in part funded by the ride we did earlier from Barton Equestrian centre under the auspices of EGB. Many thanks to all who attended. I am happy to answer questions that anyone has or alternatively they can access Echo in Africa website or their facebook account for further information.

 

 

Little Crosby Ride Sunday 18th May 2014. What a great weekend of weather for this lovely ride, it has to be one of my favourites, you can see riders for miles criss crossing the countryside and enjoying themselves popping over the jumps, with very little road and plenty of grass its not to be missed. We always receive a very warm welcome from Glenda and her helpers they really are a friendly bunch. To finish off we had a butty and an ice cream. Great ride Glenda Thanks.
http://www.kevinbrownphotography.co.uk/ take a look at some great photos

Ulnes Walton Wander April 27th 2014 Great weather was enjoyed with the attendance of 60 riders. Everyone came back smiling and all said what a wonderful well marked ride. I was marshaling so missed out on the fun but there is a lot of pleasure of seeing all the hard work that running a ride takes come together to give other riders enjoyment. Thank you to all who helped and especially to Sue Taylor-Green who’s attention to detail is spot on. As usual Edwin was there standing in a field for hours just to capture some great shots. Please take a look. http://www.whatapicture.biz/

Ulnes Walton Pleasure Ride Sunday 23rd March 2014 Well all went well today, after spending two hours marking the course yesterday the rain washed it all away, so out early this morning to remark. Hope everyone enjoyed the ride and the gentleman who went down the banking enjoyed his extra bit. A word of praise for number 18 who fell off on the riverbank hope your not to sore tonight. A great thanks to all who rode and a thanks to the helpers who we couldn’t run the rides without. Oh yes Pam’s Pea and Ham soup was delicious thanks Pam. http://www.whatapicture.biz/.

Seaba Ride Sunday 23rd February 2014 Helen and Debbie always put on a good ride, and this one was no different, the rain held off and nearly 100 riders enjoyed a great day. And as usual that little added extra of delicious hot soup a biscuit crisps and a drink.Many thanks to everyone involved and Edwin the photographer got some rather unusual shots. View and buy at http://www.whatapicture.biz/.

Croal Irwell Valley Sunday 2nd February 2014, its been a while since this ride was used, amongst some terrible weather the sun came out and the ride was a little wet but brilliant. Thanks to Jenny and Jean for their hard work, and of course Jamie Houghton for his brilliant video. and as usual Edwin from http://www.whatapicture.biz/ was there to support us so please view and buy some photos from his link. Jamies Video of Croal Ride

Heapy Hack 10th August 2013 a new ride which was enjoyed by all riders, the weather was great and Sue had a great turn out with approximately 80 riders. Thanks to Sue and her team of helpers for a promising new ride for the future.
Please view pictures from http://www.whatapicture.biz/

The Treales Ride Sunday 12th September 2010.
http://www.whatapicture.biz/

Hexhamshire Trophy Ride  Sunday 2nd August 2009.
Ride Report (PDF 58kb)

The Treales Ride Sunday 13th September 2009 was a great success – eighty plus riders turned out to enjoy the scenery and the sunshine.

Hexhamshire Trophy Ride Sunday 3rd August 2008.
See ride Photos. Photos taken by group member.Croal Irwell Valley 2nd April 2006
Croal Pictures 2006

 

 

 

 

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