Tabby Wright riding Bam Bam completed the final leg of the end to end challenge. Julie Blackburn speaks to her after the relay to find out how it went.

More than 40 horses and riders took part in the first ever End 2 End Horseback Challenge at the weekend in aid of the ManxSPCA.

The relay event started out from the point of Ayre with Emily Fleming riding Julie and finished at the Sound with Tabby Wright riding Bam Bam.

It was organised by Tabby who is one of the finalists for the Miss Isle of Man community challenge.

She explained: ’The focus for Miss Isle of Man is largely on fundraising for a local charity, mine being the ManxSPCA. So far to raise money I have swum round to the Tower of Refuge, finished the Parish Walk, and many other events. This was my last big fundraiser before the Miss Isle of Man final held on August 5.

’The winner’s charity receives 25 per cent of the entire funds from the whole competition, so I’m doing all I can for ManxSPCA.’

All the riders taking part in the End 2 End Horseback Challenge had a sponsorship form and aimed to raise as much as possible to go towards Tabby’s total.

She said: ’The event was a great success and the day itself ran smoothly with perfect weather conditions.

’It’s a credit to all those horses and riders who made the effort to be at their start point on time, allowing it to run so smoothly.

’We had riders from all ages and from different areas of the island and horses of various breeds and sizes.’

Tabby is still collecting the money raised by the riders and hopes to make over £2,000 from the event; she is planning to announce the final amount on her fundraising page tomorrow.

She added: ’The End 2 End Horseback Challenge was also a great opportunity to raise awareness for horses on the roads. All vehicles and cyclists that passed us did so with care, slowing down and leaving a wide space.

’From this event we have seen that with a bit of kindness, understanding and common sense, the roads can be safe for both horses, vehicles and cyclists. A great event all round!’

Tabby’s fundraising page is at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tabbywrightmissiom