The ride of a lifetime – and all for a good cause!

Sixteen challengers have just returned from a big adventure in Bulgaria after completing the BHS Spartacus Riding Challenge 2011.

The first two teams of Challenge riders spent a week in the mountains of Southern Bulgaria raising £10,000 in aid of BHS Welfare.

The treks covered some 150 miles from Trigrad to Melnik for week one and in reverse for week two. Riding through mountain ranges including the Rhodopi range, the Slavyanka Mountains and the mighty Pirin Mountains which soar above the ancient wine producing town of Melnik, the Challengers galloped through forests and meadows, camping by the river and savouring BBQs by the camp fire.

Philly Hamilton from Saffron Walden, Essex said: “It was such fun and a great experience. I loved it all from sore bottom to hours in the saddle to fun around the camp fire, fabulous views, flowers, food and wines, great horses and jolly company.”

Sue Hawking, a regular Challenger who has completed most BHS Challenge Rides, from Bitten, South Gloucestershire, added: “I had a brilliant time in Bulgaria. I had a fantastic horse, accommodation was good, food was great, and the countryside amazing! The group was really good fun and it was nice to ride with people I'd met before as well as new faces!”

The British Horse Society Riding Challenges were first launched in 2000 to help fund the Society’s welfare work and to provide education and advice in the campaign to prevent cases of neglect.

The BHS Spartacus Riding Challenge will take place again soon and there are still places on next year’s other challenge rides across the globe – contact the BHS for a riding challenge not to be missed and never to be forgotten.

This year’s Spartacus challengers were: Lucy Fuller, Jacky Gregory, Philly Hamilton, Sue Hawking, Caroline Higginson, Audrey Kyle, Steve Moulton, Jenny Reid, Sian Wombwell, Sophie Bouchereau, Angela Flynn, Lyndsey MacGowan, Sue Pogson, Claire Proctor, Emily Siminska and Pat Woodman.

For more information on the BHS Challenge Rides please visit www.bhs.org.uk or contact Wendy Minor on 02476 840572

For further press information and pictures, please contact our Press Officer: Alison Coleman, The British Horse Society, 02476 840463 or a.coleman@bhs.org.uk 

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