Expedition Equus - Spring 2009!

As Fun Riders, I am sure that all of you at some point have considered saddling up and riding off into the sun set. However, for most of us, commitments get in the way, enabling us to only take a few days holiday with our horses each year. I have always wanted to travel with my horse – and before mortgages, marriage and everything else takes over, I realised that I have to do it sooner rather than later.

And so, ‘Expedition Equus’ - a ride from London to Tokyo, via the routes of the Silk Road – was born. The adventure will cross two continents, 15 countries and cover more than 15,000 km. Bertie, my pony, and I are setting off this spring on our 4 year odyssey, which will take in breathtaking scenery and traverse dangerous terrain, from mountains and steppe to the Taklamakan Desert (which translates as ‘he who goes in does not come out!’)

The past couple of years have been a whirlwind of organisation; there’s been a website to set up and maintain, letters to write, sponsorship to gain, a horse to buy, test runs to complete, routes to plot, money to raise, events to manage, meetings to go to, contacts to make, research to do – how to shoe a horse whilst travelling in remote areas, for instance; grants to apply for, press releases to write, filming to carry out, photo shoots to attend, budgets to compile, courses to go on (navigation, first aid, survival, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and barefoot trimming, to name but a few!), shows to attend, presentations to make, recce trips to go on, equipment to source, languages to learn…the list goes on!

So why am I doing it? Apart from a desire to see the world from the back of my horse, I am also riding for charity – SOS Children, who build and maintain villages for orphans and displaced children, providing them with an SOS ‘Mother’, a home, medical facilities and an education. Rather than just fund raise the traditional way, I am going to be visiting some of their villages en route, and getting UK schools involved by linking them with these villages. Taking pictures, letters and messages from children in the UK, and hopefully getting similar items from the SOS children to send back, it gives a more personal approach to charity work and a great way to get young people here involved and learning about other cultures, religions and languages. This also encompasses the National Curriculum’s ‘Global Citizenship’ module.

For the next few weeks, Bertie and I are going to be in the final stages of preparation – and soon, that dream of riding in to the sunset will become a reality. And if any Fun Riders feel inspired to join Bertie and I for a section of the trip, do get in touch!

You can keep up to date on the expedition website, www.expeditionequus.com, which will have news, reviews and photos throughout the ride. Equally, if anyone would like to help fundraise, either for SOS Children or to help Bertie and I on our way, there us a support page on the website; every penny helps.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me - it will be great to hear from you!

Becky and Bertie

MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER UPDATE

Dear All,

I'll start this newsletter with some excellent news - I have been awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship - which, if you remember from my previous email, means that the starting date will be at the beginning of April - and what better day than April 1st?! It feels so good to be pinning a date down for departure, and being able to plan a rough itinery for the coming year. News of the fellowship can be viewed here, on the WCMT website.

I have been drumming up support for the expedition on several social networking sites - Trot on TV, Twitter, Red Bubble and through Facebook - The OFFICIAL Expedition Equus Group. Please join these and get your friends to do the same. The ride is also listed on the RGS Expeditions Database (search 'Equus' and untick 'show only those that have produced a report') and sponsorship.com. I have been interviewed by a team researching the 'eco attitudes' of Londoners, who very kindly gave me over 1 minute of footage on their 6 minute film to plug the expedition, which can now be viewed on You Tube (although apologies in advance for the faux pas...)

More articles are appearing, with press interest building up to the 'final countdown'. Current features can be seen on Funrides UK and Trot on TV amongst others - keep a look out for more media appearances.

Two new sponsors have come onboard, QCIC, who provide security solutions for travellers, and Hilleberg, who have given me a generous discount on my new home, a Nammatj 2 tent.

I've also had all the fun of sorting out admin associated with starting a new life - handing in my notice at work, at the yard, cancelling phone contracts, arranging bank cards, getting insurance policies - theres so much paperwork!

I'll keep you posted with the final preparations over the next few weeks. Right now, however, I'd best get back to my paperwork...!

All the best,

Becky

Expedition Equus

London to Tokyo by horse

Riding in aid of SOS Children

07825 738 769

www.expeditionequus.com

info@expeditionequus.com