Some of the biggest names in the eventing world are swopping four legs for two wheels in a 1,000km charity cycle ride in memory of talented rider Caroline March.
The landmark charity cycle ride is launched by leading eventing rider Piggy March, and husband Tom, in support of the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research.
Tom’s sister, Caroline March sadly passed away in March 2024 following life changing injuries she sustained in an eventing fall in 2022.
The cycle ride aims to raise £500,000 for the vital work carried out by both Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.
The epic ten-day ride will start on November 20 at Blair Castle, Perthshire, and will take in prestigious eventing venues including Bramham, Chatsworth, Burghley, Blenheim Palace and Badminton. The final leg will see riders travel from Windsor, through central London, to The Savoy Hotel, the location for the BE Support Trust Charity Ball, that will take place the same evening (November 30).
This year we’ve seen some tragedies
Joining Piggy and Tom March will be a core team of cyclists including, BE Support Trust Chair of the Board of Trustees and three-time Olympian Ian Stark OBE, Support Trust Patron Alastair Wilson, and multi-medallist Holly Woodhead. Additional stars from the equestrian and sporting world will join individual journey legs, including members of the British 2024 gold medal winning Olympic team, former Olympians, World and European Champions.
“It’s the first time in my life that I’m supporting my sport from the other side of the fence. I’ve had an amazing time and loved doing what I’ve done and had great fun working with horses. But this year we’ve seen some tragedies that have been out of our hands and have upset us enormously” says Piggy March
“We know it’s a high-risk sport, but I still want to encourage people to enjoy a career and a life with horses as much as I have. I also want the families who are sadly affected by that fine line, in a fall or an accident, that have a dramatic change in their lives to have the support and encouragement to plan and move forward in a positive way where they can still enjoy a quality of life, with as little pain as possible. It's something that we feel very strongly about.”
Ian Stark OBE may be hanging his course designer hat up at the end of this year but the Scottish based Olympian is getting ready for the big ride
“It’s a privilege to be involved with Cycle4Caroline, and I hope I can keep up with the peloton and do everyone proud” says Ian “The team here at the British Eventing Support Trust, just like everyone connected with eventing, was devastated to hear of Caroline’s passing, but it’s typical of the March family that out of such tragedy comes the burning desire to help other people.
Here’s hoping we can raise lots of money for the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research - we have an aim to raise £500,000, so we need everyone’s help to ensure we smash that target!”
It can happen to anyone
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after a spinal cord injury. It can happen to anyone at any time with devastating consequences.
Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research to develop life-changing treatments for the millions around the world living with a spinal cord injury.
Tom March, brother of Caroline for whom the cycle is in memory of, commented:
“Caroline’s life was completely transformed by her spinal injury, and she really believed in helping to pursue scientific advances to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity focussed on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord and so was the right fit to try to achieve a positive change in Caroline’s memory”
“We don’t have any experience of cycling, so it’s been a case of starting from scratch in terms of knowledge, fitness and equipment! The biggest challenge might be the conditions at the end of November. Daylight will be at a premium and we have learnt a few things since we came up with the idea: 1. Nobody does organised cycle rides in the UK in November and 2. Everyone cycles south to north, not north to south like us, so the prevailing wind is behind you and not in your face!”
Supporters will be able to follow the team’s progress via social media, and updates via www.cycle4caroline.com
