The Duchess of Cornwall has been announced as the patron of the Great Horses for Health Relay 2021. The event starts on Sunday (2 May) in Yorkshire and will take place in 11 regions of the UK over five months. Participants have two weeks to choose their own routes in their local areas, which will be recorded on a map, and the relay “baton” will be passed to the next region at a pre-arranged Covid-safe event.
The relay is the brainchild of rider Sophie Gifford, who came up with the idea during lockdown. The event aims to highlight how horses can have a positive impact on mental health, while raising funds for equine charities HorseWorld, Redwings, Hope Pastures, HorseBack UK, Bransby Horses, North Wales Horse Watch and the Riding for the Disabled Association.
More than 9,000 riders have so far signed up to take part in an epic fundraising relay ride across the UK.
The Great Horses for Health relay starts on 2 May in Yorkshire and will take place in 11 regions of the UK over five months. Participants have two weeks to choose their own routes in their local areas, which will be recorded on a map, and the relay “baton” will be passed to the next region at a pre-arranged Covid-safe event.
Rider Sophie Gifford came up with the idea during lockdown, and the event will raise funds via sponsorship for charities HorseWorld, Redwings, Hope Pastures, HorseBack UK, Bransby Horses, North Wales Horse Watch and the Riding for the Disabled Association.