Chiltern Distance Riders a small friendly group of Endurance and Pleasure Riders.
We're well into our second decade as a club and continue to promote the fast growing sport of Long Distance and Endurance Riding. Based in the Chilterns, taking in Herts, Beds and Bucks, members include international riders and complete beginners.
You don't need a special type of horse or equipment, just basic riding skills and a reasonably fit horse.
It's all about having fun and working with your horse to be the best that you can be.
A primary aim of the group is to support and encourage each other. Training rides and a points system leading to annual awards gives riders of all levels something to aim towards.
Please read the 'FAQ' page if you're new to CDR (or thinking of joining!) as most queries are covered on this page...
Meet the Committee
Chair - Kate Curry
In 1984, I was enjoying riding holidays with my first horse, Miss Tweed and my friend Linda Chapple. Routes included the Ridgeway, South Downs Way and Three Shires Way, and we had many adventures together! The Naphill Riding Club was putting on Trail Rides around the Chilterns, which led me to try Long Distance Riding with the EHPS in the late 1980s. I never looked back, and in 1994, I bought Doyenne, my heart horse; we successfully completed over 5,600 competitive kms, and I am still doing EGB rides with my second heart horse, Orel.
In 1996, after years of riding and competing, I joined a group of ' long-distance' enthusiasts to found the Chiltern Distance Riders. Since then, I have been closely associated with this supergroup. It’s great to see CDR still thriving, and it is an honour to be part of the committee again.
The picture shows Orel and me at Cirencester in July 2025
Treasurer - Mandy Roberts
I joined CDR in April 2023 after riding with Julia Dalley and Monty at another (my first) fun ride. I had a great season but unfortunately missed the 2024 season and most of the 2025 season due to my health problems - I still managed a couple of rides with Julia!
I have just taken on the Treasurer's role from Lyn Rumball who decided to step down after many years of service. I'm very much looking forward to meeting more of you at CDR rides with Lenny.
Secretary - Sara Graham
I started riding in Texas and was introduced to endurance riding by my Lithuanian friend and riding instructor whilst living in Houston, Texas. My Arab mare, One Fine Day, (Daisy to her friends), started life as a show horse but we soon found that we both preferred to be out on the trail and joined AREC taking part in 25 & 50 mile rides across the Texas countryside. When we moved back to the UK in 2013 Daisy came with us and we joined CDR after coming across a ride going through Great Brickhill and tracking the start to RB Equestrian.
Webmaster -
Committee Member - Jill Webb
My parents were never horsey but whilst a toddler in a pushchair, I was besotted each time I saw a horse! My first venture on horseback was when I was around 5, on Tuppy - a family friend’s pony - with the leathers wrapped around the stirrups to make them short enough and accompanied by owner on bicycle. I am eternally grateful to the founder members for CDR’s existence and I joined six months after its official creation when small numbers met informally to ride planned but generally, unmarked routes. Old timers may remember me storming round on my late, much loved, ‘un-tireable’ and often unstoppable grey Connemara-Type; the reason I got into long distance riding. Along with Karen, my riding companion, I organised the Candleford ride in 1999, which covered the current Jubilee route but with added loops. Between us, we now organise, Kensham, Cholsey and Burydown rides and are looking for additional venues. It gives me great pleasure to see riders achieving their distances but especially, enjoying themselves.
Committee Member - Jane Alexander
I became involved in Endurance via the Pony Club, accompanying 2 youngsters around Milton Keynes, on their inaugural event and ending up with a photo in the Pony Club Annual. Shatzar is my 'First Pony', after the boys outgrew him and I have been participating in EGB events for 6 years over varying distances of up to 40km, but as Shaz is now rather elderly (said in a very quiet voice) we now stick to 30km and below.
Committee Member - Julia Dalley
I learned to ride at 8 and was lucky enough to get my first pony at 12. I owed two further horses and took part in pony/riding club activities, fun rides, etc. However, at 22 I decided to hang up my hat for a while due to the time and cost of running a horse! Needless to say it wasn’t long before I was getting rides with friends and started riding a friends horse for many years. The death of my father spurred me into taking it up seriously again and about 9 years ago I met Monty, fell in love and got hooked all over again! Sadly Monty was put down in September 2018 but during COVID I found another Monty (!) who is just as good as the first! I am a ride organiser and I joined the committee to assist in the running of the club.
CDR Committee Member - Audrey Fearing
I learned to ride when I was 8 on a cheeky Shetland pony called William at the local riding school. I didn’t get my first pony until I was 41! Tom, bought as a mother daughter share, wholly unsuitable as a child’s first pony, but I was smitten. He is 23 years young and still has attitude. His field mates are Munch who is 22, and Beaver the newest addition to the family.
I love pottering about on the yard and hacking out. I joined the committee to assist in the running of the club.
