FOUR West Devon pony club members successfully completed a two day Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award expedition on horseback last week.

Jade Coupland from Spooners and West Dartmoor, Martha Allen from Tetcott and Livvy Parsons and Tash Soper from Lamerton pony clubs set out from Hunter Lodge on Roborough Down and camped overnight at the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt Kennels in Sampford Spiney, with their horses corralled in the same field.

They successfully completed their expedition mid-afternoon the following day at Burrator, where relieved parents were waiting for them.

The riders even managed to jump a few gorse bushes on the way despite being laden down with rucksacks and saddlebags.

All the riders had undertaken a training weekend and practice expedition in May, an event partially funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

A silver riding expedition will take place at the end of August.

The team were supported by adult volunteers from the West Devon DofE Centre in Tavistock — a group to support all young people aged 14 and over who would like to complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The centre offers fully supported training, advice and guidance on all aspects of the DofE.