News

Brynna Taff Ely Bridleways RCT, a local equestrian group affiliated with The British Horse Society, held a Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Horse Ride in the Tonyrefail area on Sunday 18th September.

47 horses and one cyclist rode through the streets of Tonyrefail and surrounding areas along with 8 walkers. All wore black armbands and a black ribbon, and a minute's silence was observed in honour of the late Queen who was patron of The British Horse Society.

Remarkably, the youngest horse rider taking part was just 4 years old and the eldest horse rider was 84!

In attendance were Joel James MS, County Borough Councillors Cllr Dan Owen Jones and Cllr Karen Webb, Tonyrefail Community Council Chair Cllr Linda Michel, Community Councillors Cllr Glenn Evans, Cllr Maria Balestrazzi, Cllr Debbie James and Cllr Helen Donnan (who is also British Horse Society Access Officer, Wales) along with Kathryn Stewart, British Horse Society Regional Manager, Wales.

The memorial ride was cheered on by local residents who lined the streets and stood on their door steps waiting for the group to pass by.

The event aimed to provide awareness of how to pass horses safely on the roads and those in attendance were very happy to report that all but a minority of drivers were extremely courteous.

Thanks to Cllr Debbie James for sharing the story with us.