Ian Stark OBE leads the Cycle4Caroline team home as equestrian stars conquer 220km through Scotland at the end of Day 2.
The ultra-endurance charity cycle ride, spearheaded by leading eventing rider Piggy March, and husband Thomas, has already raised over £70,000 for British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research.
The epic eleven-day challenge started in the snow on Wednesday November 20 at Blair Castle, Perthshire. Joining the peloton for the first leg was 2024 Defender Blair Castle CCI4*-L Champion, Wills Oakden.
“I think it’s for a fantastic cause, not just to support Piggy and Tom and all the crew, they’re amazing charities they’re trying to raise money for and as a professional sports person we shouldn’t be ignorant to the risks and that one day we might need something like this, so its important to join the causes and raise money for them,” commented Wills ahead of the 98km cycle from Blair Castle to Lucinda Russell Racing’s base in Kinross.
Ahead of the start Wills confirmed that he’d not done any training for the day due to “not actually having a bike” but would be giving it “his best shot”. Powering into an early lead and providing entertaining video updates via Instagram, he soon started to feel the strain of the challenge.
“That hill at the end, and that’s not even the biggest climb they’re going to do, so it really is incredible what they’re doing. People just need to get behind them and support them, because until you join them you don’t actually realise what a challenge they’re undertaking.”
Providing some much-needed warmth and Scottish hospitality, Scone Palace, hosts of British Eventing’s newest CCI4*L from 2025, joined the day one route.
Lending racing’s support, Lucinda Russell welcomed the team to her Kinross base to mark the completion of day one. 2023 Grand National winner Corach Rambler was on hand to welcome the team, and to see them off again early on Thursday morning, accompanied by the sound of the pipes.
“We were so proud and excited to welcome the Cycle4Caroline team of intrepid cyclists to the yard. It’s a fabulous that they’re cycling for. I know how much we use the equivalent to the British Eventing Support Trust in racing, and Spinal Research is such an important charity for anyone. Verry very proud of them all and this fantastic endeavour” commented Lucinda ahead of the team’s arrival.
Day two saw the team comprising of Piggy and Tom March, three-time Olympian Ian Stark OBE, Support Trust Patron Alastair Wilson, multi-medallist Holly Woodhead, Nini French, Brett Bullimore and Racesafe’s Tommy How, cycle through the centre of Edinburgh, through the Scottish Borders and onto Ian Stark Equestrian.
Making the long journey from New Zealand, joining the peloton of riders, is Catriona Williams MNZM, founder of The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Trust. Catriona was formerly one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders. Following a riding accident in 2002, she is now C6/C7 tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair.
With the England border firmly in their sights, day three will pose a new challenge as the team tackle the highest point of the journey as they make their way to Belsay Castle.
Belsay International Horse Trials is delighted to be included among the list of prestigious venues hosting a leg of a charity cycle. The event coincides with the news that Belsay will hold its first CCI4* international in 2025 from 16th-18th May, as a replacement fixture for Chatsworth International.
Belsay Horse Trials Team will be a hosting an afternoon reception at Belsay Hall on Friday 22nd November to greet the valiant riders and celebrate their arrival. Northumberland Coffee and North Acomb Farm Shop, both regular traders at the horse trials, will be on hand to refuel riders and visitors alike! Everyone is welcome to attend this event and donations of £10 will be paid direct to the charities:
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/5546/cycle4caroline/
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