Changes to prizes and rosettes
The ride is non-profit making, run by volunteers and exists to raise money for local charities - to find out how we distribute your sponsorship, click the Beneficiaries button to the left.
The more money we can give to those charities the happier we are, but inevitably our costs go up each year, so we can’t afford to stand still. We didn’t want to cover those increasing costs by putting up either the entry fee or the minimum required sponsorship, so instead we’re rewarding riders for raising more than the minimum sponsorship.
We’re changing our prizes and rosettes to give riders an incentive to raise more money for charity. This year we have six (instead of last year’s five) prizes for those riders who raise the highest sponsorship (including an 8GB iPod nano for the junior rider raising the most sponsorship), we’re introducing a special rosette for every rider who raises £40 or more in sponsorship, and giving a £20 Robinsons voucher to every rider who raises £100 or more.
So please, don’t stop asking people to sponsor you when you’ve reached the mimimum £30. Just ask a couple more people, raise £40 instead, and on behalf of the charities we support we’ll say thank you with that special new rosette.
RAF Health and Safety
The Ride takes place on MOD property. In the interests of security, any person who enters RAF Halton does so on the basis that they give consent to their person, possessions and vehicle being searched at any time while on the site. Please download and read the RAF’s health and safety requirements. These are in addition to the conditions of entry detailed on your entry form.
When does the sponsored ride take place?
The rescheduled 2008 ride will take place on Sunday 27th April. Allocated starting times will remain the same as for the original date in March. Heaven forfend we have to postpone twice in one year, but if circumstances dictate, any decision to postpone will not be taken before Friday April 25th.
Riders can check whether the ride is going ahead by checking this website, or by telephoning RAF Halton (01296 623535) between 8am and 5pm on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th March, and on Sunday 27th March from 7am to 12 noon. Please do not telephone RAF Halton unless it is considered that conditions are so bad that the ride may be postponed - in 25 years the ride has had to be rescheduled only twice (due to a heavy snowfall, and the worst storms of the year) and entirely cancelled only once (due to foot and mouth). Queries on matters other than the possibility of postponement can only be dealt with by the secretary, Susie Bell, (info@haltonride.org.uk).
Where is RAF Halton?
RAF Halton is near Wendover, in Buckinghamshire. You can download a PDF map here, or get directions from Multimap or Google maps.
What is the course like?
The course is seven miles long, crosses one road twice and includes 50 cross country fences with a maximum height 2’6”. 25 of the fences have bigger or more difficult bonus options for the more advanced rider. The ground varies between tarmac, woodland tracks and well-maintained turf. All the fences are optional and there are no time penalties. To see a map of the course and individual pictures of all the fences click the link to the left. Every entered rider is required to inspect the course and fences thoroughly before riding. We’re sorry, but due to RAF commitments the course will not be open for inspection on Saturday 26th April, but we hope you all had the chance to walk the course before the original March date.
The course is only ridden once a year and the number of riders is strictly limited to keep the ground in good condition. Overtaking is permitted throughout the ride and slower riders are requested to let faster riders pass them if they are asked to do so. There are three checkpoints during the course, at which riders must stop to have their ride cards validated.
How much does it cost to enter?
There is a £12 non-returnable deposit for each rider, this includes £2 for paramedic cover. In addition each rider must raise a minimum of £30 sponsorship (or sponsor themselves for a minimum of £30) and all sponsorship monies must be paid prior to riding on the day, in cash or by cheque with valid bank card. We cannot accept credit or debit cards.
How do I enter?
The ride is usually heavily over-subscribed so please enter early if you wish to be sure of a place. Entries for the rescheduled ride close Monday 14th April, or earlier if the ride is full. To enter, download and print off an entry form (Adobe Acrobat PDF) by clicking the link to the left. Please send your completed entry form with your non-returnable deposit of £12 and a large SAE to the Secretary at the address found on the entry form. You will be sent a ride number, a start time and a sponsorship form.
How long does the ride take to complete?
It takes approximately 1.5 hours on average but it depends on the individual pace you set. Some people will walk round the entire course and take considerably longer.
Can I ride in a group?
Yes, but please send all your entries together to the secretary stating clearly that you wish to be grouped together.
Can I request a specific start time?
Times are allocated in order of receipt of entries, early times are very popular and are quickly filled. If you want to ride at a specific time, please request it and the secretary will do her best to meet it. However, we cannot guarantee to satisfy every requested time. There is a collecting ring with a practice jump at the start of the course. Please arrive in the collecting ring promptly as it may be difficult to fit you in at another time if you miss your own.
The first riders set off at 9.30am and the last usually around 2.00pm.
Entries are closed when a certain number of entries have been received - not when there are no more start times left. The total number of riders permitted is variable year on year and depends on the anticipated state of the ground and local weather conditions.
Will I be able to park near the start of the ride?
You will be directed to a parking place on hard standing by stewards. Non-towing vehicles will be parked away from lorries and trailers, so for your own convenience please transport all your tack in your towing vehicle or lorry.
What if I am transporting more than one load of horses?
We will try to give you morning and afternoon ride times to give you time to return with your second load.
Will there be a photographer present?
High quality digital prints will be available on the day, or afterwards by post, from SF Digital (01525 383683, info@sfdigital.co.uk). There will be two or three photographers taking pictures of riders at different points of the ride and one of them will be situated at the famous aeroplane fence (jump number 47).
Will there be a vet present?
There will be vet and a horse ambulance available for emergencies. Please bear in mind that the vet’s services are not free!
Will there be a farrier present?
Yes, there will be a farrier at the ride (as with the vet, the farrier’s services are not free), as well as an equestrian goods trade stand and refreshments.
Will I get a rosette?
Rosettes will be awarded to all riders completing the course:
Gold: awarded to riders jumping all the jumps including all the bonus jumps
Silver: awarded to riders for completing the course
Are there any prizes?
To the senior rider who collects most sponsorship money: Exclusive glider flights for two from RAF Halton (please note, gliders only take one passenger at a time, so it’s not possible for two guests to fly together in one glider), plus an invitation for two to the champagne reception and cheque presentation ceremony (where the Ride committee present our contribution to the RAF charities to the Station Commander) in the Officer’s Mess at
Halton House, which is not open to the public. These are exclusive prizes which are not available to the general public.
To the senior rider who collects the second highest sum: A jeroboam of champagne
To the senior rider who collects the third highest sum: One year’s membership of the British Horse Society.
To the junior rider who collects the highest sum: a brand new 8GB Apple iPod nano in the winner’s choice of colour.
To the junior rider who collects the second highest sum: Bellingdon End Farm Supplies (01494 758239) have donated a voucher for horse feeds, bedding etc to the value of £60
To the junior rider who collects the third highest sum: Bellingdon End Farm Supplies (01494 758239) have donated a voucher for horse feeds, bedding etc to the value of £40
Additionally, all riders raising more than £100 in sponsorship will be rewarded with a £20 voucher from Robinsons Country Leisure, the UK’s leading mail order equestrian goods supplier.
I still have questions
If you have any further questions, please send an e-mail to the Secretary at info@haltonride.org.uk