MORE than sixty riders took part in a South Lakes event to celebrate a quarter of a century of a charity retraining and rehoming retired racehorses. 

Cartmel Racecourse and The Holker Hall estate were the setting for the Ride for Retraining event.

The ride marked the 25th anniversary of The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre, Britain's original and biggest centre dedicated to getting ex-racehorses into new careers after racing. 

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To celebrate the BTRC's silver jubilee, the Lancashire centre is hoping to raise £100,000 to double the size of its yard from 40 stables to 80. 

Riders from across the north west took part in the organised ride, starting from Cartmel Racecourse and then taking in parkland past Holker Hall. Everyone received a Ride for Retraining hi-vis tabard. 

There will be further organised rides around the country, but the BTRC hopes that individual riders, pony clubs and centres will organise rides.

BTRC chairman John Sexton, said: "We want as many riders as possible to join in and support us so that we can help many more of the horses coming out of racing every year to find new and happy careers when their racing days are done".

Details are available at www.thetrc.co.uk