Lancs Group Celebrates 21st Birthday Party

The Lancs EGB Group recently held a 21st Birthday Party Weekend to celebrate the 21 years since the group initially formed back in 1984. The weekend of 2nd and 3rd of July was set aside earlier in the year to allow maximum numbers of members to attend, either or both of the days.

The wonderful venue of Craven Country Ride at Coniston Cold, near Skipton was a perfect setting; this farm is one of the UK Chasers courses, and consists of acres and acres of rolling countryside, what appears to be miles of grass to gallop on, and plenty of cross country jumps and obstacles for those so inclined. Additionally there is immediate access to bridleways and quiet lanes, which take you out onto the moors etc.

The camping and corralling fields had plenty of lush grass for the horses, and were situated immediately next to the farm buildings, so a variety of facilities were to hand. David and his family, who were all only to willing to help, immaculately run the venue. We were supplied with food throughout the entire weekend by GJ Catering whose proprietor Gary Henderson and family worked their socks off on Saturday night preparing a sumptuous “al fresco” meal for us all, lubricated by a few bottles of course!!!

During Saturday night's celebrations, we were pleased to welcome visitors from neighboring groups who assisted us in “reminiscing” rides (and years) gone by. We also encouraged everyone to bring old photos and memorabilia of the past 21 years (and previous in some cases). We finally finished the evening off with a large Birthday Cake and a toast to the Lancs Group. Again we were very lucky with the weather, as this certainly contributed to the success of the weekend.

The pleasure rides on Saturday and Sunday were ably organised by member Jane Wood and her husband John. Saturday's route included mainly the Country Ride, but also some quiet tracks and lanes around the park, past some very pleasant residences, which made many of us quite envious. The Sunday route passed initially through the cross country course, but then out and north of the venue, through vastly changing terrain from, elegant country house parkland, through lowland meadow and farmland, round headlands, through a river and up onto North Yorkshire moorland. We only had to cross one busy road, but this was expertly “policed” by members Ken, Andrew and Jeff. Everyone returned enthusiastically, with plenty of wide smiles and also quite a few red faces from the hot sun. The horses (and some of the riders) then enjoyed a cool down from sprays and hoses in the Horse Wash Down area of the venue. One seasoned member of the group was even heard to say that it was the best ride they had ever done in their entire endurance career, and hoped we would be doing again next year. – so here's hoping!!!!!!!

In addition to pleasure ride rosettes awarded each day, riders completing both days of the ride were given a lovely glass plaque as a memento of the weekend.

The weekend was a great success, as a result of the hard work and effort of organisers and helpers, the weather and scenery, and of course the atmosphere created by everyone who came. We would all like to thank Jane Wood and family, Craven Country Ride, GJ Catering, and everyone who assisted before and during the event. Also a special thank you to everyone who entered the rides and came to help us celebrate 21 years of Endurance Riding in Lancashire.

Sue Taylor-Green
(Chairperson Lancs Group)