TV's Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright officially launches new 50-mile Horse Riders’ Trail in Ryedale

Months of careful planning, mapping, repairing and riding the route led to this month’s publication of the Horse Riders’ Guidebook, sponsored by the British Horse Society.

It is a beautifully illustrated journey through the heather moors, valleys, and villages of the North York Moors, linking nine historic churches and the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.

Twenty two riders, led by Bill Tait and Mary Edwards of the Ryedale Bridleways Group, saddled up and gathered on the picture perfect village green in Old Byland to begin their ride to Rievaulx Abbey surrounded by a crowd of excited supporters, villagers and spectators.

North Yorkshire photographer Val Mather captured the mood of anticipation and elation.

Gathered also on the green and joining in the fun and festivities was a group of walkers led by pathfinders Joyce Garbutt, Mal Gyte, and Ian Robinson.

Next up along the launch ride was Tylas Barn and Farm, the original settlement site of the monks who went on to build Byland Abbey.

Here, the ride down to the valley and along the River Rye to Rievaulx was set against a magnificent array of autumn tree leaf colours.

Riders crossed over the medieval Bow Bridge along the old monks’ track to emerge into the ancient village of Rievaulx, past the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, former slipper chapel to the Abbey, and led their horses through the back gate into the Abbey ruins and grounds.

Horses and riders formed into a semi-circle on the green grass outside the East end of a radiant, sunlit Abbey Nave, and were joined by volunteers dressed in monks’ habits, medieval peasant re-enactors Catherine and Mike Stallybrass from Regia Anglorum, and by members of the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail Society in T-shirts sporting their logo.

Peter Wright, star of the Channel 5’s Yorkshire Vet, welcomed everyone, thanked the volunteers and helpers who had made this new trail possible, and watched by a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, spectators and visitors, cut the launch ribbon to mark the official opening of this new trail.

Everyone retired to the Abbey Café to enjoy coffee, pasties and the hospitality of Linda and the Abbey Café staff, with many seizing the opportunity to have Peter autograph their guidebooks.

Thank you to English Heritage Rievaulx Abbey’s Tuukka Laakso, Gemma Jones, James Gray and all their staff for hosting another spectacular event for the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail.