F A Q

Where is the ride held?

The Jockey Club Estates & The National Stud kindly give us permission to hold the ride over their land surrounding Newmarket . The ride starts and finishes behind the July Racecourse. The 20 & 15 mile courses track right through the town centre on the special horse-walks and comes out onto the bottom of Warren Hill. The 20 mile ride also takes in the Al Bahathri all-weather gallop for the ultimate thrill!

Are there any jumps?

Unfortunately due to the continually rising insurance costs we have removed the jumps from the course. There are however amazing grass gallops on each of the courses with views of the famous training grounds of Newmarket . We are very priviledged to be able to hold the event in somewhere so special.

When is the closing date?

The closing date for postal entries is Thursday 28th August so that the riding times can be allocated and rider information sent out. If however, you have missed this date please call or email as we may have enough spare places for you to ride and therefore we can take your entry on the phone. Full entry fees would then need to be settled on the day.

Do I have to notify you of which distance I will be riding?

No, the courses are designed for you to pick and choose your riding distance on the day. If you are going well and want to go the whole way round then keep going! If, however, things aren’t going brilliantly our shortcuts for the 8 & 15 mile courses and stewarded and signposted and you can just come home when you want to.

Who can enter?

Anybody can enter over the age of 16 years or below 16 years if accompanied by an adult. We accept all horses but ask that stallions are well behaved and under control as upwards of 400 riders may take part on the day.

How much sponsorship do I need to raise?

Our rider entry fee is £20 in advance (which unfortunately is non-refundable). We also ask that each rider receives sponsorship of at least £20. On the day you can either pay your full balance of pledges, or just show us you sponsorship form as proof of your pledges and then pay by the requested date after the ride. Download sponsor form.

I have ridden before, but will I receive a 2008 entry form?

All riders from the past 3 years will automatically receive a 2008 entry form if their address has not changed. If you are worried about receiving a form, please download the single entry form from this site and just copy it as many times as you would like for your friends.

What proportion of the Ride’s proceeds actually go to Macmillan?

We work very hard to keep our administration costs down for this event. All of the Committee and the vast group of stewards are volunteers. We obviously have to advertise the ride nationally, but do everything we can to minimise costs – our prizes are donated by Baileys Horse Feeds, and our caterer and photographers also give a proportion of their profits to us from the day. Our overall administration costs are less than 10% of the total proceeds. We regularly raise over £30,000 for Macmillan from this event after costs.

Further questions?

Please contact the Ride Secretary by email or address below. We apologise that a phone number is not provided but the Ride Organisers are all volunteers and are not available for phone support at their homes. All ride entrants will be provided with emergency contact details when the riding instructions and times are sent out after the closing date.

Contact the ride secretary by email: secretary@newmarketride.org.uk

Address: Ride Secretary, 125 High Street, Cheveley, Newmarket, CB8 9DG