A group of local equestrians supported by the police will be completing the Manx leg of the Great Horses for Health Relay 2021 on Friday, July 2.

The British Isles-wide initiative has been developed to celebrate horses and how they supported people during the Covid-19 pandemic, while also raising funds and promoting awareness for mental health and wellbeing and the huge positive impact from horses; vulnerable road users’ safety, and equine welfare.

For the purposes of the relay, the British Isles has been split into 11 regions with the Isle of Man included with North West England and Northern Ireland region.

With support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet the relay baton is being transported to Heysham by Lancashire Mounted Police on July 1, sailing across to the island with the Steam Packet on Ben-my-Chree and will be returned to Liverpool on fast craft Manannan on July 6, to be collected by Merseyside Mounted Police.

The Manx leg of the relay will take place on Friday, with six rides totalling 59km starting at the Point of Ayre and finishing at The Sound to cover the length of the island throughout the day.

Across the day there will be more than 40 horses and riders, cyclists, walkers and carriages taking part.

Wendy Corlett, Isle of Man regional co-ordinator, said: ’The Great Horses for Health Relay is a wonderful community initiative which we are delighted to get the opportunity to be part of.

’We hope that all who participate will enjoy the day and everyone who sees those out on the relay, give them a wave.’

Helen Goldie, equestrian safety community volunteer, said: ’Safety on the road for vulnerable users such as horse riders, carriage drivers, walkers and cyclists is one of key areas that the Great Horses for Health Relay wants to raise awareness for.

â??’Sadly there are too many incidents every year where vulnerable road users are involved so raising awareness to all road users of how to use the road safely and sharing the road with us is an incredibly important subject and something we are very passionate about promoting.’

The Great Horses for Health Relay will continue into the rest of North West followed by Wales, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and South West, ending on October 2.

To find and more about supporting the event, head to: www.horses4health.co.uk/