The Ride was started in 1978 by Tim and Hazel Denehy together with Sir Richard Thornton Decd. and was run by them for twenty-one years.
The course was built over the Hampton Estate and land belonging to Rodsall Manor, Suffield Farm Lascombe Farm and Puttenham Common and continues to follow the original line.
As the Ride is held in the early autumn there is a great amount of work required every year to clear the route of over-hanging vegetation. Each year work is undertaken to refurbish existing jumps, re-site others and build brand new ones.
There are approximately 40 jumps on the course varying from 1’6" to 3’3" in height and is approximately 8 miles long crossing private woodland, farmland and commons. We are very fortunate to sometimes have the use of a 7 furlong gallop. None of the jumps are obligatory - horse and rider will still enjoy the ride which is clearly marked with direction arrows and other markers.
The Ride attracts between 300-500 riders each year from all over the South of England as far away as the Isle of Wight, Kent, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire. Each year there are three Classes – Junior, Senior and Veteran.
A trophy, an embroidered saddle cloth and a special rosette are presented to the rider in each Class raising the most sponsorship. An award is also presented to anyone raising more than £100 and in addition every rider receives a rosette on completion of the course.
Since Tim and Hazel retired the Ride has been registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. A committee was formed with the help of members of the Frensham Sponsored Ride who run a similar event in the Spring on Frensham Common. The registration as a charity has helped us financially as we are now able to claim Gift Aid.
Every year many of our helpers return to assist in the safe operation of the Ride and without them it could not take place. We need a minimum of 80 volunteers from Jump Stewards and Road Crossing Marshalls to Parking Supervisors. For a number of years we have been assisted by the Ash Friends of Shooting Star Chase who register and co-ordinate our volunteers on the day and by members and parents of the Farnham Town Explorer Scout Unit who are responsible for the erection and dismantling of the Secretary's Marquee in the Start Field.
Due to everyone’s hard work we are able to donate the proceeds of the Ride, generally in the order of £12,000, to a number of local charities.
Special consideration is given to Phyllis Tuckwell Memorial Hospice, Riding for the Disabled and Ash Friends of Shooting Star Chase. In addition we support other local organisations such as Scout Troops, Village Halls and other deserving causes.
Clive Webster
Chairman
The course was built over the Hampton Estate and land belonging to Rodsall Manor, Suffield Farm Lascombe Farm and Puttenham Common and continues to follow the original line.
As the Ride is held in the early autumn there is a great amount of work required every year to clear the route of over-hanging vegetation. Each year work is undertaken to refurbish existing jumps, re-site others and build brand new ones.
There are approximately 40 jumps on the course varying from 1’6" to 3’3" in height and is approximately 8 miles long crossing private woodland, farmland and commons. We are very fortunate to sometimes have the use of a 7 furlong gallop. None of the jumps are obligatory - horse and rider will still enjoy the ride which is clearly marked with direction arrows and other markers.
The Ride attracts between 300-500 riders each year from all over the South of England as far away as the Isle of Wight, Kent, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire. Each year there are three Classes – Junior, Senior and Veteran.
A trophy, an embroidered saddle cloth and a special rosette are presented to the rider in each Class raising the most sponsorship. An award is also presented to anyone raising more than £100 and in addition every rider receives a rosette on completion of the course.
Since Tim and Hazel retired the Ride has been registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. A committee was formed with the help of members of the Frensham Sponsored Ride who run a similar event in the Spring on Frensham Common. The registration as a charity has helped us financially as we are now able to claim Gift Aid.
Every year many of our helpers return to assist in the safe operation of the Ride and without them it could not take place. We need a minimum of 80 volunteers from Jump Stewards and Road Crossing Marshalls to Parking Supervisors. For a number of years we have been assisted by the Ash Friends of Shooting Star Chase who register and co-ordinate our volunteers on the day and by members and parents of the Farnham Town Explorer Scout Unit who are responsible for the erection and dismantling of the Secretary's Marquee in the Start Field.
Due to everyone’s hard work we are able to donate the proceeds of the Ride, generally in the order of £12,000, to a number of local charities.
Special consideration is given to Phyllis Tuckwell Memorial Hospice, Riding for the Disabled and Ash Friends of Shooting Star Chase. In addition we support other local organisations such as Scout Troops, Village Halls and other deserving causes.
Clive Webster
Chairman
