Equestrians gathered in Watlington to ride and raise money on 2nd October.
Around 260 cyclists took part in the annual South Oxfordshire sponsored ride which took place at Brightwell Park.
The ride raised around £9,000 for charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, the Riding for the Disabled Association, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and local churches.
Volunteers helped make the route and manage the course. Professional help was also provided, with paramedic teams, medical cover and traffic lights on site.
The course, which took place mostly on private land, included jumps of all kinds, such as fences and water. The heights of the fences ranged from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 6 inches.
Rosettes were given to all riders who completed the course and prizes were donated by Hempine, which produces organic CBD oil for horses.
There were also celebrity appearances. Sarah Cox and Fiona Bruce attended the event, and Sarah Cox spoke about it on her BBC Radio 2 show.
Eleanor Peters and her horse, Darcy, won the gold award, meaning they jumped all 60 jumps. Miss Peters, 21, is from Cane End and has a livery yard. She says she found out about the trip sponsored by one of the yard’s liveries who invited her to come.
She said: “What I liked most was the jumps and the way it all came together. Good food and good people to be around.”
Miss Peters has been riding horses for about 20 years and started when she was a year old. She said: “My mother had horses and she taught me everything I know.”
She has owned Darcy, who is an Irish sport horse, for about nine months and describes her as “very spicy and quick. She loves to jump and cuddle.”
“We have two jumping sessions a week and regularly attend jumping competitions.”
Natalie Wood, 34, says the trip gave her new confidence to jump. She said: “I’ve never done this sponsored trip but I know a lot of people who have, so I went with my friend who has done it a few times.”
The riding instructor from Thame has owned her horse, Pocahontas, for three years. She said: “She’s a lovely sweet mare with a bit of spice that helps me learn more without scaring me.”
“I started riding when I was little, but I’ve been riding properly since I was 19. I’ve always wanted to ride and my first real opportunity was when I became a young adult.”
“I love the challenge, even though I’m a real weakling. I just have to keep trying.”
Ms Wood described herself as “angry” when she completed the “big railway” jump in the forest. She said: “I saw the rail and my friends shouted after me, ‘Kick it, or I’m coming for you!’ I was amazed. I went back and measured it the following weekend.”
“My jumping experience is very limited, but now I’m trying to put on my brave pants and go to more events. Next week I’m going to breed, which is a big trick with lots of horses and puppies.”
“It was such a well organized and beautiful trip and I can’t wait for next year.”
Event Secretary Sarah O’Hara said: “Thanks from us to everyone who has supported us over the years, to the farmers who have enabled us to walk through some of the most beautiful scenery in South Oxfordshire , all riders, administrators and helpers”.
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Eleanor Peters and her horse Darcy
Natalie Wood and her horse Pocahontas cleaning the big rail in the woods
