Equestrian stars launch charity cycle challenge in Northamptonshire

International event rider Piggy March and her husband Tom March, who are based in Northamptonshire, have launched charity bike ride Cycle4Caroline.

The 1,100km charity cycle ride is in memory of Tom’s sister, and the talented horse rider Caroline March took her own life earlier this year after suffering life-changing spinal injuries, after a cross-country fall.

Piggy March said: “It was a horrific thing to be part of and desperately heartbreaking.

“It left me feeling a bit lost, but also left us feeling that we really want to help”.

The event will see some of the biggest names in the eventing world as they swap four legs for two wheels.

They hope to raise half a million pound for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.

Caroline’s brother Tom said: “We really hope the event can be a big success and really achieve something that can make a big impact.

“When you’re talking those numbers, you’re really changing people’s lives”.

The cycle challenge will see a ten-day ride, starting November 20th at Blair Castle, Perthshire, and will take in prestigious eventing venues including Bramham, Chatsworth, Burghley, Blenheim and Badminton.

Tom and Piggy will complete the full 1,100km ride with a core team of cyclists including BE Support Trust Chair and three-time Olympian Ian Stark OBE, and multi-medallist Holly Woodhead.

BE Support Trust Patron Alastair Wilson, also joins the peloton. Alastair's wife Nicola, a former Olympic silver medallist and European Eventing Champion also suffered life altering spinal injuries as a result of a cross-country fall at Badminton Horse Trials in 2022.

Additional stars from the equestrian and sporting world will join individual journey legs, including members of the Team GB's 2024 gold medal winning Olympic team, former Olympians, World and European Champions.

Piggy March said: "I hate getting on a bike, its uncomfortable and there's just too many hills in this country! So mentally and physically it's going to be fairly hideous.

"I keep saying whose idea was this and it's probably mine. But when I'm going up one of those hills thinking why am I doing this or I can't do this, I'll also be thinking I have legs that work.

"Over the last year we've all needed to recognise just how fortunate we are for what we've got."

The epic challenge will finish on November 30th at The Savoy Hotel, London, just before the British Eventing Support Trust Charity Ball.

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