Horseman’s Sunday
April 14, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join us for a community gathering on St Martha’s Hill with an optional short service by Vicar Oakden of St Martha’s Church. Hosted by the Surrey Hills National […]
Join us for a community gathering on St Martha’s Hill with an optional short service by Vicar Oakden of St Martha’s Church.
Hosted by the Surrey Hills National Landscape, this event gives local horse riders the opportunity to ride their mounts to St Martha’s Church, where there will be an optional blessing of the horses promptly at 2pm. Most riders like to be smartly dressed, and this makes for a perfect picture up on the hill. A diverse array of riders, horses and ponies take part, with the treat of enjoying the perfect view atop St Martha’s Hill.
Walkers and dogs on leads are welcome to attend. The event is FREE but if you are a rider, please register your details so we know how many people with their horses will be attending. If you are spectating on foot, you do not need to book a ticket.
There will be a collection on the day for St Martha’s Church and the Surrey Hills Society who deliver important conservation and access projects for people and nature.
What3Words address for the church – ///dozed.breath.chimp
Parking and arrival
Travel and parking to the event is the responsibility of the attendees. However, for those using horse transport, and seeking a good hack in conjunction with the service, we recommend the Roman Temple Car Park on Farley Green GU5 9ER.
This route offers riding on sandy tracks across Blackheath, then a bridleway to Lockner Farm, where there is one road to cross before starting the ascent to the church which is visible on the top of the ridge (footpath 250 or bridleway 248). Allow 1.5 hours approximately for this ride, if walking, trotting and cantering. For this occasion, riders may take the footpath right up to the church, rather than using the bridleways that skirt around it.
The service will start promptly at 2pm so please allow for enough travel time.
Event outline
The service is short, so that horses don’t become restless. Riders must find their own way to St Martha’s Church, using the network of bridleways that criss-cross this section of the Surrey Hills.
When you arrive at the event, you’ll be greeted by foot and mounted marshals.
All pedestrians, spectators, with dogs on leads will be guided to view from inside the cemetery walls, from where the service will be conducted.
There will be a welcome, a prayer, and a poem, before the vicar visits each horse and rider in turn, to give the blessing.
There is no fee but there will be a collection taken at the event, which riders will be encouraged to support; at the close, participating riders will receive a rosette, before dispersing.
We invite spectators to enjoy the service, church grounds and spectacular views.
Important event information
– Water for horses will be available
– We highly recommend high visibility safety clothing
– This event has restricted capacity, so please book in advance if bringing your horse.
– Further information for riders will be emailed a few days prior to the event, please keep an eye out for this. Information for spectators will be available on the webpage here.
– This event may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions
– Please note this event will be photographed and videoed
Find out more about riding in the Surrey Hills here.
The event is FREE but if you are a rider, please register your details so we know how many people with their horses will be attending. If you are spectating on foot, you do not need to book a ticket.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event.