My name is Andrea Johnson and this summer I will be taking part in The Viking Challenge across Iceland to raise money for the British Horse Society.

The British Horse Society (BHS) is the UK's largest equestrian charity, and they do a phenomenal amount of work to fight for the best interests of all horses and riders. One of the most important aspects of this charity is the welfare work done to help abused and neglected horses, ponies and donkeys, so I'm hoping to help support the charity's network of dedicated equine welfare officers with my fundraising, as this money will allow them to continue improving the lives of as many animals as possible.

The Viking Challenge is one of the week-long challenge rides organised by the BHS, and it's called a challenge for a reason! I will be herding over 100 horses and riding for up to eight hours a day over a total distance of 218km, which will be no easy task. I have never spent such long periods of time in the saddle before, so I will need to build up my fitness in preparation for this test of endurance.

Horse riding has been a passion of mine ever since I had my first lesson at the age of four, and fourteen years on I still feel the same joy every time I ride. Horses have always been a huge part of my life, and my riding lessons, competitions I've attended, and friends I've made because of horses have all helped me become who I am today. Next year I am hoping to go to university, which likely means that I am not going to be able to ride regularly anymore, so before this happens I want to give something back to the equestrian community after all that it has done for me.
Below are a series of pictures illustrating my journey with horses, the first being from 2008 and the most recent being from this weekend!

The money I raise will partially go towards the general costs of the trip (accommodation, flights, food etc.), and the rest will be donated to the British Horse Society.