Nationwide Horses for Health Relay comes to Wales this weekend

The Great Horses for Health Relay arrives in Wales on Sunday as it aims to raise money for equine welfare and mental health charities and increase awareness of road safety for horse riders and other vulnerable road users.
 
The relay, which began in Yorkshire on May 2 and is due to end in South West England on October 2, has been organised  in celebration of horses and how they have helped many people throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
Bringing the equine community together and enabling horse riders all over the UK to have fun, the relay comprises horse riders, horse-drawn carriage drivers, cyclists and walkers. People take part by registering with www.horses4health.co.uk .
 
The relay began life with an idea by Sophie Gifford over breakfast at the end of 2020 and has now blossomed into a nationwide event. She had equine welfare and rescue, mental health benefits through equines and vulnerable road safety and rural crime awareness when she founded the relay.

From July 11-24, the relay comes to Wales, starting with a handover to Helen Lacey from North Wales Horsewatch near Wrexham. It finishes with a handover from Wales regional co-ordinator Medina Brock to the West Midlands region on the Welsh border on July 24.
 
Medina, who runs Brandy House Farm at Felindre, near Knighton with her husband Richard, said a selection of amazing rides, some guided and others easily followed, had been set up across the beautiful Welsh countryside and coast.
 
She has had the gargantuan task of collating the rides that people have organised and passing them to the main H4H page for all registered riders to see and join if they wish. Book onto an accompanied ride by emailing [email protected] .

Charities benefitting from the relay are HorseWorld, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Hope Pastures, Horseback UK, RDA, Bransby and North Wales Horsewatch. To donate to the charities, visit www.horses4health.co.uk .

The Welsh rides include: Lleyn Peninsula 14 miles with Diane South for a maximum of four riders on July 11, Anglesey beach ride of 15-16 miles with Vicky Long for up to five riders on July 14 and Criccieth (LL52 0BT) 9-10 mile ride with Denise Meldrum for up to six riders on July 15 at 6.30pm.

Overnighters may book via [email protected]. In the Brecon Beacons, Hannah is offering camping and corral with an eight mile accompanied loop ride on July 24. Up to three vehicles are allowed and the lanes are unsuitable for lorries
 
Medina is offering an overnight stay in Mid Wales at Brandy House for up to six horses on July 23, with camping, DIY livery and access to full route portfolio on the day before the baton is handed on to the West Midlands. The camping and livery fee will be donated to H4H.
Motorists and the general public are urged to look out for riders wearing the Horses4Health high viz waistcoat.
 
The relay progress can be followed on social media at:
Facebook : www.facebook.com/greathorses4healthrelay;
Facebook group:  www.facebook.com/groups/1399636837047873 
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/greathorses4healthrelay
 
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Great Horses for Health Relay riders arrive in Wales this weekend