This July, I'm taking part in the British Horse Society (BHS) Rideathon because safe access to the countryside really matters to me.

UK bridleways act as critical "safe havens" by separating horses and people from high-speed motor traffic. According to the BHS 3,118 road incidents involving horses were reported in 2024 alone. An alarming 81% of these were caused by vehicles passing too fast or too close.

Due to these risks, which have caused 697 horse fatalities since 2010, the BHS advocates for the expansion of off-road routes to ensure rider safety.

It is getting harder to take the freedom of off-road routes for granted. Many paths are becoming unusable with horses because they are isolated by busy roads, truncated by development, or because of a failure to record a through route. Others are no longer passable due to obstruction or lack of maintenance.

I am riding 25km or more this July to help change that. Any money raised will help keep off-road routes open, safe and accessible — not just for horses and riders, but for everyone who values access to the countryside.

If you can support me, thank you. Every donation helps protect these routes, so we do not lose the simple pleasure of being outside.