Horse rider's 17 mile Holker Hall route for Furness RDA

Kirsty Brown, from Barrow, will ride a 17-mile course around Holker Hall in September to raise money for charity.

Kirsty is raising funds for the Furness branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), a charity that provides local children with various disabilities, the opportunity to learn to ride.

Spending time with horses and learning to ride helps the children build their confidence, improve co-ordination and physical strength while having fun at the same time.

Furness RDA will host its sponsored horse-riding event at the picturesque Holker Hall estate on Sunday September 22. The closing date for entries is Saturday September 14, you can sign up to take part here.

Kirsty explained there are usually lots of people taking part in the event, who set off from the start a few at a time.

There are three routes available, a two-and-a-half-mile ride, which is suitable for lead rein, a ten-mile route and the 17-mile course.

Kirsty will complete the route on her horse Sergei and will be joined by her 19-year-old daughter Ella who will be riding her pony Tony.

She has taken part in the ride several times over the last couple of years but has only signed up for the ten-mile route in the past and found it to be really exciting.

This time, Kirsty is looking forward to trying the longer route, which she said will be a bit more challenging.

Furness RDA run sessions at Seaview Riding School on Walney, where Kirsty works.

She said: “I work at Seaview Riding School so will get to see the RDA children enjoying the benefits of the money we raise.”

Kirsty said the money may be used to purchase new equipment for the horses and riders, such as tack for the ponies, new helmets for the members, or game equipment to play with and enjoy. 

Kirsty has set up a GoFundMe page and has set a target of £150.

She said: “Please sponsor me to help raise funds for this brilliant charity group that give children amazing opportunities with the ponies.”