KEEN equestrian Kimberley Baker is embarking on a 50- mile ride in memory of her grandparents who kick-started her lifelong passion for horses.
Kimberley, of Porlock Road, Millbrook, Southampton, was devastated to lose both Brian and Marina Baker to cancer and will be galloping through the course to raise much-needed cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.
She said: "I was very close to my grandparents.
They helped my mum raise me and were like my mum and dad. They bought me my first riding lessons as a Christmas present when I was five years old and continued to fund my riding until I went to Totton College to take a course in horse care and management. It is with the money they left behind that allowed my mum to buy me my first horse.
"Last year I rode in my granddad's memory so this one will be for my grandma.
She was diagnosed with leukaemia in December and we lost her in January."
The school inspection support officer for Hampshire County Council will be riding from Woodlands Farm stables near Cadnam to Fordingbridge and back with pal Lucy Palmer, 22, on July 19.
She said: "Since June my horse Harlequin has had to overcome his fear of people and traffic but now he seems to be really enjoying it. We have managed 25 miles so far."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article