Jack Mytton new loop by Camilla Mascall

As part of our preperation for riding the Jack Mytton Way in a few weeks Jane and I decided to do the extra loop to the JMW, from Roman Bank towards Cleobury and onto Rays Farm near Highley. This was to help horse and rider fitness and to parctice our map reading skills and to see what worked and what didn't with our equipment.

Gary dropped us off at Roman Bank, near Wenlock Edge, on a dry, sunny, breezy day and the tempreture was about 17 degrees. We decided not to take waterproofs but had fleeces which we removed during the ride and wore around our waists although we did have string and bootlaces if we wanted to tie them to the front of the saddles. Layers seemed to be the key to getting clothing right! We both wore buffs, available from World Horse Welfare or Equimix. These are tubes of lightweight fabric and are brilliant for keeping sun and wind off our necks, they can be pulled up and worn under a riding hat if necessary, transform into a beanie hat and we have pulled them up as face masks when riding across fields which were being sprayed. Well worth having. On reflection (no pun intended) we could have worn more hi viz gear.

The horses had combination bridles which convert into headcollars and the reins can be used as lead ropes. I had various attachments to the saddle, a water bottle, a bag with a snack of bananas (which got a bit squashed) and muesli bars, a sponge, and Jane had these and the first aid kit. I also had a bag with hoof boots and a bum bag with money for the pub, mobile phone, baler twine, a knife, lipsalve and sun cream. We had mapcases with maps enlarged onto four sides and laminiated and the talkround for the route.

We set off from Roman Bank onto a tarmac track which quickly became a double hedged bridleway, and almost immediatly spotted two deer. At the first road crossing we met Gary who saw us across and checked we were alright. We then had a quiet lane to hack along and then onto a sunken lane full of bluebells and blossom. I became a little concerned as Sun started to cough and he has an allergy to tree pollen which has brought him into severe shock in the past, but he recovered quickly as we came out into the open. We were already noting very good way marking with the JMW signs.

We crossed a ford and there were several streams to cross but both horses are used to water. Some of the streams had been extensively remodelled in the floods of the last two years. Some part of this route was remembered from endurance rides which started from Ludlow racecourse.

We were aware of views of Clee Hill and after coming though Clee St. Margaret the terrain changed and we were onto the common. We passed through fields belonging to the Midland Racehorse Centre and Jane had recently taken on a horse from there. There were some dodgy moments when they all galloped after us but Sun sorted them out with both barrels and they galloped away again. Jane rode her horse out from here when she tried her out and I did a pleasure ride from here last year so we sort of had an idea where we were going. If any of you are interested in taking on an ex-racehorse from here they usually have some for loan.

Clee Hill is also an area we know, and the area caused some concern as Jane had recently nearly lost a horse in a bog here by stepping only a short way from the track. The bridleway didn't follow a clear line as it was criss-crossed with sheep tracks, but we were able to follow it from memory.

We rode through Cleeton St. Mary and through Silvington. We encountered some very deep mud in places.. Then it was onto Cramer Gutter which lived up to its name!

There was a change of terrain again when we came off the hill and we were back onto the lanes and bridleways. We met a riding school party who were enjoying the lovely spring sunshine. Stottesdon was a welcome sight as we found that there is still a pub in the village! So many PH signs on the map are for pubs which are no longer pubs! The horses were very glad to munch some grass in the carpark and we had a welcomed drink.

For some reason when we came out of the pub we got lost for the first time by taking a wrong turning! It really is important to keep an eye on the map at all times! but we were quickly back on track and our crew (Gary again) and Ray's Farm was a welcome sight.

Twenty five miles would normally have taken us about three and a half hours on an endurance ride, this took us seven hours. So a very different type of ride, but we had time to enjoy some spectacular views and countryside. The horses were also completely different, laid back and quite happy with the slow pace.

Camilla Mascall & Jane Sparrey with Sundance & Kis