Across Britain on horseback
Former Park House School pupil, Josefien Snijder, is to traverse the length of Great Britain alone and on horseback
AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Newbury girl is planning to become the youngest person to have traversed the length of Great Britain alone and on horseback.
Josefien Snijder, a former Park House School pupil, hopes to raise £10,000 for The Brooke, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules, by riding 1,200 miles from John O'Groats to Lands End, without a support team, during her gap year.
Ms Snijder, who will be setting off on the three-month journey in May on her horse, Lacey, said: “I'm quite a melodramatic person, so I decided to do the most difficult thing I could think of.
“I don't think I'll be lonely at all because Lacey has such a big personality. She'll keep me company every step of the way.”
For such a long journey, keeping weight to a minimum is essential.
She said: “All I am taking is maps, a sleeping bag, one set of clothes, a couple of changes of underwear and mobile phone.”
She is also organising the trip herself: “I have been able to find accommodation most places, I will be staying at bed and breakfasts, camp sites and riding schools in tents.
“If I was wild camping more, I would be worried, but as I have places to stay overnight, I don't think it will be unsafe.”
The journey will be doubly challenging because of problems she experienced with her horse.
Ms Snijder said an old back injury had caused Lacey to become impossible to ride, she would rear whenever she was mounted.
It took several months of work with a horsemanship professional to rid her of the problems and allow her to accept a rider again.
She said: “I was told I was better to put her to sleep rather than attempt to ride her.
“It took several months of work with a horsemanship professional to rid her of the problems and allow her to accept a rider again.”
Ms Snijder said that, though the journey will be a test for both her and the horse, they will make it home safe in the end.
When she returns in August, she will be just in time to start preparing to leave for Bangor University in North Wales, where she will be studying health psychology.
Click on the link below to sponsor Josefien Snijder and read her blog.
