Badminton and Burghley champion Piggy March, her husband Tom and several other members of the equestrian community are embarking on Cycle4Caroline, an ultra-endurance cycle ride in memory of Tom’s sister Caroline, today (Wednesday 20 November). Caroline, who was a successful event rider, died by assisted suicide in March 2024 after being paralysed in an eventing fall in 2022.
Along the 1,200km route there are opportunities for supporters to get involved and cheer the riders on, as well as the option to join in for the final leg from Windsor to London on Saturday 30 November. Up to 100 cyclists are expected to join the core group of nine cyclists.
The 11-day cycle kicks off at Blair Castle in Perthshire and aims to raise £500,000 for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust, two causes which were close to Caroline’s heart. Their current total stands at £55,000.
Joining Piggy and Tom on the ride are :
- Three-time Olympian Ian Stark
- Alastair Wilson, husband of former European Eventing Champion and Your Horse Live star Nicola
- International eventer Holly Woodhead
- Piggy’s sister Nini French
- Brett Bullimore, husband of European Bronze medal winner Sarah
- Racesafe’s Tom How
- and Catriona Williams, founder of the Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust, who has travelled over from New Zealand to join in. Catriona was formerly one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders. Following a riding accident in 2002, she is now C6/C7 tetraplegic and confined to a wheelchair.
“We’re really focused on making Cycle4Caroline a success,” said Tom March. “I’m looking forward to the whole challenge and being able to achieve something positive in Caroline’s memory for the benefit of others. If we can make a difference to the lives of others that will make all the work worthwhile.
“Caroline’s life was completely transformed by her spinal injury, and she really believed in the need to pursue scientific advances to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.”
How to join in
The final 60km leg from Windsor to Central London will start at Ditton Park. Participants will cycle past Windsor Castle and follow the River Thames past Hampton Court Palace, as well as iconic London landmarks like Battersea Power Station, the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye.
They will then arrive at The Savoy in time for afternoon tea, with the challenge culminating that evening with the BE Support Trust Winter Ball, hosted by The Savoy.
Find out more about how to join in here.
Surprise participants
Several special guests will be joining the ride along the route, including fellow top-level Wills Oakden, who is joining the team on the first leg from Blair to Lucinda Russell Racing in Kinross.
More special guests are to be announced.
The rest of the cycle route will take in several well-known eventing venues: Belsay Castle, Bramham, Chatsworth, Burghley and Badminton.
For more information and to donate visit www.cycle4caroline.com.
