JULIE Linder and her team of stewards worked hard to ensure that everyone enjoyed the North and East Yorkshire Group of EGB pleasure ride at Wykeham.

The well-marked route allowed for some good, lengthy canters and the 30k route took in some new territory this year. This ride made a really good training ride due to the variety of terrain covered, which included a stream crossing. A sizeable amount of money was raised which will go towards sending a team of riders to represent the UK at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky later this year.

The ride was the ideal follow-on to a very successful training day which took place at Knayton Village Hall, near Thirsk. Eighteen people of all ages and varying abilities heard experienced riders explain how to read maps, follow the contours, judge distances and always be aware of their precise location. It was followed by a talk on the forms required and the rules and general points that riders should be aware of. After lunch, supplied by the local pub, the practical side of crewing and the mysteries of heart rates were explained and anyone who wanted to could try out a stethoscope on the ever-patient equine Harvey, who had been taken along by group secretary, Lesley Hughes. The next ride will take place at Eastrington, near Howden, on Sunday and a fundraising ride for Yorkshire Cancer will take place at Kilburn on May 30. Entries for this ride can be made on the day.