A WEST Devon horse rider completed a mammoth charity ride from John O?Groats to Land?s End last Sunday.
Lifton farmer Michael Bickell reached the end of the five-week ride, arriving in Land?s End on schedule at 2pm on Sunday to be greeted by his back-up team, representatives from the three charities, Riding for the Disabled, Cancer Research UK and the Meningitis Trust, and Cornish civic dignitaries.
Michael undertook the gruelling ride with Simon Kerslake from Broadclyst, Exeter, who runs an equestrian supplies business.
Michael said his three horses, Bell, Murphy and Brandy, all completed the ride without a scratch between them. He said he was not feeling tired after the ride, in fact, he felt much fitter.
?I can?t believe how well it went. There were no major hiccups. It was fantastic to finish, but I was not able to appreciate we had ridden every inch of the country, without missing one bit.?
Michael expressed thanks to everyone who supported the ride by pledging sponsorship money, providing accommodation or assisting along the way.
The final total raised has not yet been finalised but is expected to be more than £6,000.
Michael and Simon set out from John O?Groats to ride the length of the UK on August 25, and were supported along the route by a back-up team made up of family, friends and colleagues from Lamerton Foxhounds, of which Michael is chairman.
The John O?Groats to Land?s End ride had been planned for last year but had to be postponed because of the foot and mouth crisis.
During the five-week challenge, the riders only allowed themselves one day off ? to join the 400,000-plus people marching through London on the Countryside Alliance?s Liberty and Livelihood March on Sunday, September 22.