A Joyous Day on the Moors: Launching the SAPT Horse Riders’ Trail with Peter Wright

Sunday 2 November will live long in the memory as we launched the brand new Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail Horse Riders’ Trail in the most glorious North York Moors sunshine. Old Byland village green was bathed in autumn light as twenty two riders gathered with friends, walkers, supporters, and well wishers. It was one of those rare November days when the air feels clear and bright and the landscape seems to smile back at you.

The Ryedale Bridleways Group have worked tirelessly for many months to map, test, refine and prepare this fifty mile circular route. The newly published Horse Riders’ Guidebook, generously sponsored by the British Horse Society, celebrates a breath taking journey across heather moorland, wooded valleys and ancient villages, linking nine historic churches and the majestic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. To see riders setting off at last was a moment of real satisfaction for all involved.

As Bill Tait and Mary Edwards led the ride out of Old Byland, acclaimed photographer Val Mather was on hand to capture the colour and good humour of the day. Walkers, led by Joyce Garbutt, Mal Gyte and Ian Robinson, headed out in parallel, creating a wonderful sense of shared pilgrimage and celebration.

The route down past Tylas Barn towards the River Rye was especially striking. The trees were ablaze with autumn colour and the sky shone an almost improbable blue. Riders crossed the medieval Bow Bridge and followed the old monks’ track into the ancient village of Rievaulx before leading their horses through the Abbey gate and out onto the green.

There, beneath the sunlit East End of the Abbey Nave, riders formed a semi circle alongside volunteers dressed as monks and medieval villagers, re enactors Catherine and Mike Stallybrass, and SAPT members in their distinctive T shirts. It was the perfect backdrop for our special guest, Peter Wright of Channel Five’s The Yorkshire Vet. Peter spoke warmly about the landscape we all love, the value of these trails, and the dedication of the volunteers and partners who have brought this project to life. His ribbon cutting was met with cheers and applause echoing around the ruins.

Afterwards many headed to the Abbey Café, where Linda and the team produced excellent pasties and warmly welcomed riders, walkers and visitors. Peter generously signed guidebooks, chatted with families, and showed genuine interest in the trail and the people behind it. A quintessential Yorkshireman, and the perfect ambassador for our horse riders’ launch.

Our sincere thanks go to all who made the day possible: the riders, walkers and supporters, the partners who have worked so diligently behind the scenes, and English Heritage Rievaulx Abbey staff Tuukka Laakso, Gemma Jones, James Gray and the whole team for hosting us so thoughtfully.

A gallery of Val Mather’s beautiful photographs from the day is now available on our website for you to enjoy.

A wonderful beginning for a trail that will offer years of joy, discovery and adventure.