UNLESS new organisers can be found, Sunday, May 7, will see the final Frensham sponsored horse ride, an event that has raised more than £750,000 for local charities during its 40-year history.

“It’s a great fun day, with riders coming from all over the south of England,” said founder Helen Clarke. “The ride has rather outgrown us, and we are not getting any younger. We have built up a fantastic team of volunteers over the years, and benefited from tremendous support from local landowners who have allowed us to ride across their land on that day.”

“If this is to be the ‘last ride’, we want to make a big splash and raise over £20,000 again this year. Last year it was split between local charities including Phyllis Tuckwell, Macmillan Cancer Support, Surrey Air Ambulance, Farncombe Guides, and many others.”

The first ever Frensham Sponsored Ride was around 1977 when Frensham sisters Molly and Helen Clarke had the idea of combining a fun-filled, cross-country ride for horse riders of all capabilities with raising money for charities. The early rides raised about £1000 a time. From this the event has grown into one of the largest sponsored rides in the country.

This idea proved so successful that over the following 40 years and a move to a bigger venue, Stockbridge Farm at Tilford, the Frensham Sponsored Ride (FSR) has raised over £750,000 for local charities. “Our record fundraising day was in April 2003 when the ride attracted 900 riders and raised an amazing £28,000 in one day, “ said Jeremy Wylie, chairman of the FSR committee. “This came up to nearly £34,000 when we added gift aid and donations. Even in the depths of the 2009 financial crisis the ride raised over £25,000 – so we have been able to make a real difference to local charities with significant donations.”

Every year, hundreds of riders enjoy the 10-mile cross-country course through private land and scenic Frensham common, with 40 optional jumps (which are all built anew every year as the course changes). Riders come from Kent, Sussex and the Isle of Wight – and have even travelled from as far away as Wales.

There is fun for the whole family too, since the introduction of a dog handler and little agility course, as well as a smaller cross-country course with jumps no more than 1’6” in a secure 15-acre field. This was a great success both with nervous adult riders keen to gain confidence and with children led by energetic parents.

“Regretfully, the committee now feels it is time to pass the baton,” said Helen Clarke. “If anyone is interested in harnessing the huge fundraising potential with a similar event of their own, we would be happy to explain what is involved to help them get started.”

Contact [email protected] for more information, or to find out about this year’s ride, visit www.frenshamsr.org.