The Royal Windsor Horse Show opened yesterday in spectacular fashion, setting an exciting tone for the four-day celebration of equestrian sport. And, while eventing is not on the agenda, the Show held in this iconic venue is supporting a cause close to the eventing community’s heart.
An emotional moment came on the first day with the arrival of Tom March, husband of eventing rider Piggy March, who was on the sidelines to greet him. Tom had just completed his remarkable Pedal3Peaks Challenge in support of Spinal Research, the Show’s official charity. This inspiring tribute was in memory of his sister, Caroline – a talented Event rider who tragically died by assisted suicide just over a year ago, two years after being paralysed in a cross-country fall. She was only 31 years old.
Over the course of just over 100 hours, Tom March cycled an astonishing 800 miles to the Show from Balmoral Castle, scaling the UK’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – along the way. His journey, undertaken to raise vital funds for Spinal Research, the UK's leading medical charity focused on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord, pushed him to his physical and emotional limits.
On arrival, Tom reflected that “Day one was tough but enjoyable. Day two was not fun in any way, shape or form. The days kept getting longer and harder, especially with no sleep, but what kept me going was remembering why I was doing it, to raise money and awareness for Spinal Research, and in the darkest moments, that gave me the strength to dig deep and keep moving.”
