A rider has completed a 2,789km trek across Europe to help provide psychological support for refugees and raise awareness of all those who suffer from ill mental health.
Accompanied by Arab mare Sasha, Louis Hall rode from Siena, Italy, to Cape Finisterre, Spain. He was raising funds for Amna (formerly known as Refugee Trauma Initiative), a charity addressing refugee trauma.
“No horse has ever been documented to have done this in one journey and no horse has ever crossed the Ligurian Mountains in their entirety — we are the first,” the Scottish rider told Your Horse.
“Without luck, the enduring kindness of strangers and the courage of Sasha, none of this would have been possible. But together, as a ‘companion machine’, crossing three countries and three mountain ranges, we made it.”
Louis’ fundraising organisation The Big Hoof supports charitable causes through ridden challenges.
In 2020 Louis rode the length of the UK for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, raising over £38,000 in 57 days. Last year he rode 100 miles from Cornwall to Devon to raise money for Afghan refugees, supporting the Turquoise Mountain Foundation.
During Louis most recent ride, The Big Hoof was awarded charitable status.
“I aim to continue to promote adventures for health and well-being through the power of the horse,” added Louis. “In October I will be taking on a ‘wee big hoof’ ride in England to fight against Cancer, with cancer patients riding with us from Devon to Warminster.”
Louis and Sasha’s European adventure is being made into a documentary and Louis is currently writing a book about the challenge.
You can follow all the latest updates from The Big Hoof on Instagram and donate to the cause at www.thebighoof.com
