This was the 9th Annual RIDE affiliated to AQHA – ride,refresh, renew- enjoying your horses in an unpressured situation, amongst like minded folks, with an emphasis on fun and raising money for charity as well- this time it was for The Blue Cross.

The weekend was kind to us as far as weather was concerned as although extremely hot, it was far preferential to the two wet ones both before and after........ We had more quarter horses join us this time too as well as the loyal band of ‘english’ riders who come along each year to chill and enjoy the riding and the atmosphere.

We had 32 horses and 50 people this weekend so the campground was full , and we had quite a few who didn’t quite make it along (thats horses for you never can make a frm plan) so we would have been really packed if everyone had turned up.

Thanks all always to out great trail team- Mike Dawson and Kevin Tennant who always do a great job of leading the guided rides, Iain Macintyre who came and threw his hand in at all various tasks that arose during the weekend-from judging to washing up !! Importantly for me, he was the AQHAUK representative on site so I could actually get to ride this year!!Amanda Watts sorted out some great sponsorship form Lexus, AQHA & AQHAUK provide goody bags, lovely commemorative posters, nice rosettes and raffle prizes. The Maltby family for their great catering on the Saturday night, Lynne who came to help on the Sunday breakfasts, and as always my partner Kev who sorts out Sunday catering and spends the weekend driving back and forward to the Forest bringing all the stuff I have forgotten or that will melt in the heat, running me to the Chinese to get everyone’s Friday night supper, carrying, loading etcetcetc............ As always thanks to those who support this event- at the time of writing this I think we have raised about £600 for the Blue Cross - as well as making our usual donation to the Quarter Horse Foundation.

Chris Kent