WITH two tired horses and 220 miles between them and their Lifton starting point, fundraisers George Moyse and Michael Bickell reined in at Windsor Great Park on Sunday.
The two men had completed their week-long horse ride to raise money for Milton Abbot-based charity CHICKS which organises respite breaks in the countryside for inner city children.
In recognition of their achievement the two horsemen and their team, who had left Lifton some 168 hours earlier, were met in Berkshire by former National Hunt jockey Richard Dunwoody and CHICKS patron, Lord Stockton.
As Michael and George rode onto the famous Smith?s Lawn in Windsor Great Park they received a huge cheer courtesy of crowds of polo spectators, many of whom contributed to their cause.
Richard Dunwoody also arranged for the two fundraisers to lead out the next polo game which was played on the hallowed turf of Guards Polo Club and had seen Prince Harry?s horsemanship just moments before.
Michael Bickell said: ?We had a fantastic time on the trek, despite some traditional British summer weather!
?We rode through some idyllic countryside ? areas that, thanks to CHICKS, disadvantaged children will be able to spend time in.
?I?d like to thank my daughter Zoë and Heather Parr, my back-up team, without whose indefatigable efforts I could not have raised these funds for CHICKS, and the members of the Lamerton Hunt for their unfailing support.?
Michael is no stranger to fundraising horserides having completed the gruelling Land?s End to John O?Groats trek in 2002, and a ride from Plymouth to the Bristol Channel last year.
CHICKS fundraiser Jenny Venning said: ?We really value Michael, George and the team?s efforts and the money raised through the ride will go a long way towards helping us provide disadvantaged children with a well-deserved break in a caring environment.?
This year CHICKS aim to provide more than 650 children from all over the UK with vital respite breaks.