Posted: 13th July 2015 | Back to news feed
IN THE SPRING, a feasibility study was conducted to determine if there is a market for a long-distance riding challenge across Dartmoor, and, if so, to explore which format would work best.
The event was the vision of Elaine Prior, who runs an existing Dartmoor adventure riding business called Liberty Trails. Her idea for a once a year “Dartmoor Derby”for up to 100 riders quickly found support from the National Park, Visit England and Regional growth fund, which helped fund the study.
As part of the study, interested riders were invited to register their details online, and more than 200 came forward to do so.
It is therefore exciting to announce that the Dartmoor Derby will take place!
The next step is to run an exclusive, scaled-down version of the event in September of this year (2015), ahead of its full-scale launch in 2016, a foretaste of the full Dartmoor Derby experience. This will involve only 30 riders, including a range of celebrities and press, with some 15 or so places open to the general public. Leading Olympic eventing rider, and Devon lady, Mary King, has kindly agreed to be an Ambassador for the event, and at this stage two leading TV personalities (both keen riders) have agreed to take part in this year’s event too.
This September's mini-Derby will be open to only around 30 people, with some celebrity riders and members of the press attending as part of that number. The format is NOT the precise format that will be used in 2016, but will be as follows this September
> The circular route will take in very varied terrain, through gorse (in full bloom), open moorland, forests, ancient stone circles, sites of historic interest and some of the best views in the world
> This year involves three nights stay with two full days riding over a total distance of approx 80km (about 24 miles a day)
> Two of these three nights will be in a luxury hotel, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. The other will be a night of very comfortable glamping in a specially constructed temporary camp in an exquisite spot on the moors. Riders' luggage requirements for a night in camp will be delivered to the camp for them.
> Riders will travel in teams of five, with a guide
> The event is very happy to provide horses for riders, or they may bring their own.
> There will be full veterinary and farrier support throughout the event
> While there is definitely a long-distance ride, this is not a race; while it will be necessary to maintain a reasonable pace to complete the ride within daylight hours, the aim is to complete the ride with your horse in first class condition and having had a brilliant time. It is not necessary for either horse or rider to have had experience of endurance riding.
> Riders do not need to enter as a team, but will be put into teams of like-minded riders by the organisers
> Some celebrity riders and members of the press will also be taking part in this inaugural, exclusive event.
> Riders may choose either to arrive in Devon on Thursday 24 Sept and leave Sunday 27th, with the 25th and 26th spend riding OR
—may arrive on Friday 25th and depart on Monday 28th, riding on Saturday and Sunday 27 and 28 September.
> The cost is £1,800 a head including dinner, bed and breakfast and horse.
Anyone interested in taking part in this exclusive mini Derby is welcome to contact elaine@libertytrails.co.uk
The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.