In an effort to support the invaluable work of the Sue Ryder Organisation, Pure Lettings director Lee Bilbrough, along with Jonathan Binney have set themselves the challenge of riding a tandem bike, dressed as a pantomime horse, from coast to coast.
The challenge the pair are undertaking will be on the 20th and 21st of July starting with the back wheel of their tandem in the sea at Blackpool and, after a gruelling 167 miles crossing the Pennines and Yorkshire Wolds, will finish with their front wheel in the sea at Scarborough.
The challenge has been christened ‘The Pier-2-Pier by Panto Pony Challenge’ during which the pair are planning to set a new World Record for the fastest 100 miles ridden by a pantomime horse on a tandem. A record that will be verified by Guiness World Records and hopefully secure them place in the 2025 edition of the Guiness Book of World Records.
Jonathan says, ‘We might have to swap seats occasionally as only the guy at the front can see where we are going, but Lee and I are determined to ride all the way’. He jokes that their steed is ‘trusty rather than rusty!’ but what better way to start and end the challenge than with a dip of hooves in both the Irish and the North Sea.
Lee explains, ‘Jonathan and I started our Pantomime Horse journey competing in the now famous Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby Races where we were best in show in 2022 and winners in 2023, a coveted title we will be defending on the 28th April this year.’ He adds that, ‘Our appearance as Panto Pony in various Fell Races, Oxenhope Straw Race, Galas and other local events has just grown its pedigree, but this challenge is going to be the Grand National of them all.’
The pair hope to raise as much money as possible for Sue Ryder’s ‘Manorlands’, a hospice that Panto Pony has supported for many years and one that is close not only to Lee and Jonathan’s hearts but to the hearts of so many people in the Worth Valley and beyond.
Panto Pony will be using the Wetherby Races ’Mascot Gold Cup’ on the 28th of April not only to defend its title but also to launch the fund-raising efforts in preparation for the Pier-2-Pier Challenge on the 20th and 21st of July.
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