Past activities and events

March 2007 Pleasure Ride - Kentmere Valley

We were very lucky with the weather, a really super day and a great start for the 2007 Pleasure Rides.  There were 6 of us in total, so a nice size group which looked after itself.

Our first BW was through Scroggs Farm, a fairly short BW, there was a dog in a barn down below which barked frantically. We then went up the lane by the River Kent, a very pretty lane, with the river on our left hand side, lots of trees a few pretty little cottages to look at and of course the lovely Kentmere Pike ahead.  We then followed the BW over Ullthwaite Bridge with the fast flowing River Kent beneath our hooves. From there we headed up to Meadowplatts Plantation, where we got great views of the distant Lake District Mountains, it really was spectacular.  The tracks were quite stony in areas but generally pretty good. The day we chose seemed to be fairly busy, with quite a lot of cyclist on the route, but they all respected our horses and stopped, patiently waiting whilst we passed.  Our next BW took us South to Mickle Moss, all nice and quiet along here, no cyclists or walkers, just us horse riders, and the odd sheep. We then continued our descent back down Browfoot lane where we were able to have some good trots.

"Have you ever thought of what goes through the minds of our 'imaginative' partners sitting at home, or at the office desk, waiting for our safe return and then listening to our idle chatter and 'fishermen's tales??

Here is the ˜alternative" version of the ride up Kentmere from a caring, imaginative, ˜other-half" (Couldn't resist using this masterpiece of narrative!)

NLBS March 2007 Pleasure Ride

From there we headed up to Meadowplatts Plantation, lots of lovely trees. Unfortunately, some bikers came whizzing past us, ringing bells and shouting "Coming through". Naturally this frightened most of the horses. Most riders managed the odd buck and skip, except for Andrea. Her horse was having none of it, leapt in the air and set off at a gallop under the trees. I think it was the third or fourth tree which finally flattened Andrea, sent her sprawling to the ground, with the horse racing off into the distance. We all immediately rallied round and set off to circle the stray horse and bring him under control before he hurt himself. This wasn't as easy as it sounds, and it took a good half hour before matters were in hand. In the meantime, one of the cyclists had noticed the commotion they had caused and returned to the scene to find Andrea unconscious, and rather untidily littering the bridleway. By the time we got back to the spot, having captured the runaway horse about 3 miles away, the air ambulance was just disappearing over the hill.

Our next BW took us South to Mickle Moss, all nice and quiet along here “phew"  Then back down Browfoot lane were we were able to have some good trots in a nice controlled manner, Andrea's horse seemed to enjoy the freedom of not being mounted, constantly prodded and kicked, but then who wouldn't !

With the day being so clear we got exceptionally good views of the Lake District Mountains. Most of the riders said they had never had a day quite like it, and all were keen to know when the next ride would take place. Well, to be honest, not quite all. We don't know which hospital Andrea was taken to, so we don't strictly know if she will be up for the next ride. Still let's not spoil the day; I'm sure she will come round to it, eventually.

PS For Andrea-----the horse is fine and in stables at Staveley, either £40 or £50 a day!
Anonymous (well, perhaps you can guess)