This year’s SEIB Insurance Brokers Burghley sponsored ride, which took place on the Sunday of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, has proved to be a record-breaker.
With all pledges honoured and donations in, the total amount raised is revealed as a staggering £22,800 — £650 more than last year’s effort. This year’s proceeds bring the total raised in the ride’s 17-year history to more than £240,000.
The equine charities to benefit this year are World Horse Welfare, the British Horse Society, Animal Health Trust, Claire Lomas Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation and The Horse Trust. Local charities will also benefit via Stamford XT, which provided the parking, marshalling and infrastructure support.
The top sponsorship fundraisers this year were Jane Taylor, Kim Philpott, Holly Russell, Helen White, Ruth Minter, Jane Phillips, Kim Francis and Jenny Hawkes, who have received prizes of SEIB rugs and numnahs, Burghley-branded numnahs, gilets, towels and hat and suit carriers.
A few changes are planned for next year’s event, which again will be supported by SEIB and give “ordinary” riders the chance to experience the historic features on the world-famous cross-country course up close and personal. A highlight is the final line-up spot, where photos are taken with Burghley House and The Lake in the background.
“We have listened to feedback and, where possible, we will make some improvements for next year,” said ride organiser Ian Scott. “We will reserve an area away from other riders for cantering, in order to avoid upsetting any slower or more novice riders. It will also mean there is an uninterrupted canter space. We also will make sure traffic and riders can be better separated on another section of the course.”
SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie added: “This is probably the only chance most people will ever have to ride along the track of this iconic cross-country course and being able to raise money for such worthwhile causes into the bargain is the icing on the cake.
“We encourage everyone to have a go and enjoy an unforgettable experience — plus the more riders who can get themselves sponsored, the more good we can all do.”
Next year’s 10 — 12km ride will take place on Sunday, 2 September — the day after the cross-country phase of the three-day event — and is open to riders aged from five upwards. To register your interest for the 2018 ride, please contact the organisers via the website www.burghleysponsoredride.co.uk
Online entries are expected to open mid-March, but would-be participants are encouraged to begin canvassing potential sponsors right away.
