Ride For Ukraine
Thank you to everyone that turned up for our Ride for Ukraine 👏🏻
It was so lovely to see so many of you despite the weather ‘trying’ to dampen our spirits. Some photographs from the ride can be seen below.
We made an incredible £200 in donations which is currently on its way to World Horse Welfare.
Sunday 08 January 2023 – New Years Ride For Ukraine
CVBA has been organising a New Years ride for around 20 years now, and this year we decided to do something slightly different and raise money for the World Horse Welfare Ukraine Appeal.
With the forecast due to be truly awful, the ride was nearly cancelled the day before, but we dug our heels in and wow, we are so pleased we did.
We turned up not knowing how many people would show but we had nothing to worry about. Amazingly around 25 horses and their riders turned up, despite the clouds getting darker before our very eyes.
Julia from the Plough in Belsize laid on hot sausage rolls, mulled wine, hot chocolate and lots of other goodies for the riders and those who came to support on foot. It was quite a sight seeing so many supporters for such a deserving cause.
We had timed ‘ride off’ to perfection (she says sarcastically) as just as we headed off the wind and rain started but that wasn’t about to ruin our fun. We had 20 for the ‘Fast’ ride lead by Nicola Park and five chose the calmer option for a ride around Chipperfield woods. We had no takers this time for the ‘medium’ ride unfortunately due to a lack of horses (very unreliable beasties).
The weather was not kind for the duration, but this didn’t dampen spirits or the enthusiasm in fact we think it made it more fun. Horses and Riders had the best time riding out together as a group and new friendships were formed.
There are now very few riding schools that serve the area, so it was nice opportunity to meet new people and those who maybe don’t get a chance to ride out in company.
Special thanks go to Julia from The Plough for hosting us, Sandie Payne who helped collect the donations, and Angela Kemp (ex CVBA Chairman) who started the collection with a generous donation even without a horse!
With everyone’s generosity we managed to raise £200.00 for the Ukraine Appeal, and a cheque is on its way to the charity.
View all the photos from the ride in our Photo Gallery.
Guided Rides
The CVBA periodically organises Guided Rides in different areas for members. A starting place, with parking available nearby, is selected and a ride devised to show what a variety of countryside there is around us, trying to remain off road as much as possible. At the end we all gather together and enjoy a picnic lunch provided by the committee.
A small charge is made for the ride/lunch, and you are welcome to bring friends at an extra charge, but we also invite them to join the CVBA.
If you have an area you would like us to arrange a ride in, do contact the Committee and make your suggestions. We also are happy to go slightly further afield – e.g. Ashridge, Wendover Woods – should you wish to do so.
