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Meet Team CF: Peter’s epic horse ride across America
In April I’ll be riding my horse Ringo across America to raise vital funds for Cystic Fibrosis Trust. My route will start in Delaware on the East Coast and I’ll travel across America to California on the West Coast. The route is approximately 3,773 miles and I should finish around December 2023.
I’ve been riding for 20 years and always had my own horses. I’ve done everything from show jumping and eventing, to polo and rodeos. Ringo is the real star. His breed is a Tennessee Walker and he will be five years old when we start. He’s mostly found mooching around a field with his friends, but his training will start soon; getting his fitness up for the challenge and getting him used to vehicles and anything else that might spook him on the route.
One of the things I am most looking forward to is travelling across Utah and Nevada, which for the most part will be completely unpopulated and more like the wild west! I’m also looking forward to it just being me and Ringo out on the road. As long as there’s water and grass, we’ll both be happy. I think there will be some amazing scenery on the way and I can’t wait to meet lots of different people across America.
I’ve been preparing for this challenge since before the pandemic. I’ve got all the main items ready now and everything is coming together. Ringo starts his fitness and desensitizing training soon and I’ve been trying to get fit and lose a bit of weight, so I can keep everything as light as possible for Ringo. I’ve never done anything like this before so I am nervous but also feel excited for the challenge ahead.
My hopes for the future for cystic fibrosis is, like everybody, that one day there is a cure. But in the meantime, I hope we can find treatments that work for everybody with the condition.
Peter
My motivation is that some years ago I lost someone important to me to CF, so every few years I try to do something to raise money for the Trust in their memory. My hopes for the future for cystic fibrosis is, like everybody, that one day there is a cure. But in the meantime, I hope we can find treatments that work for everybody with the condition.
To anyone thinking about doing a challenge to raise money for the Trust, firstly I would say it’s great fun and something you’ll never forget. Secondly, the Trust is an amazing charity and I’ve seen the work it does firsthand to make a difference for everyone affected by CF.
Runners. Hikers. Gamers. Bakers. #TeamCF needs you! If you’re inspired by Peter’s challenge and want to take on your own in 2023, join Team CF today!
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
Since 1964, we've supported people with cystic fibrosis to live longer, healthier lives - and we won’t stop until everyone can live without limits imposed by CF.
