Equestrian Business Owner Treks To Machu Picchu To Raise Money For The Horse Trust

Neil Thornton, who owns Great Westwood Equestrian Park in Kings Langley, recently returned from a trek in Peru, which he took part in to raise money for Buckinghamshire charity The Horse Trust. The charity, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, cares for around 90 rescued, abandoned and retired working horses, ponies and donkeys at its sanctuary in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. High Wycombe resident Neil was keen to help an equine charity as he has a life-long passion for horses, having ridden them and worked with them for much of his life. During his 10 day trip to Peru, he hiked through the Peruvian Andes up to altitudes of 4,400m, towards Machu Picchu, the lost City of the Incas. "The trek was hard work, especially with the altitude and heat," said Neil. "I had an amazing time though and met a really nice bunch of people. We all talked to each other to help us keep going." Neil has raised £3,400 for The Horse Trust, which will go towards the charity's work with rescued and retired working horses at its sanctuary. Neil owns and runs Great Westwood Equestrian Park in King Langley with his wife Rosie. The 143 acre park offers horse riders safe off-road riding and cross-country jumps in woodland surroundings. Between 1975 and 1986, Neil worked for the Household Cavalry at Knightsbridge barracks in London, including mounted duty. Neil was working for the Household Cavalry during the Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings in 1982, when a horse Sefton was critically injured. Sefton later retired to The Horse Trust, where lived until his death in 1993. Susan Lewis, Fundraising Manager for The Horse Trust said: "We would like to say a big thank you to Neil for taking part in this fundraising trek to raise money for the charity. The money he has raised will help us to continue our work with rescue cases and retired working horses." To support Neil's fundraising trek, visit The Horse Trust's website to make a donation http://www.horsetrust.org.uk/

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