Charities rideout well supported

The conditions for the ride was just about perfect, the clouds providing good protection for the horses.

The parade left the Station Yard at 8am and travelled cross-country to Bowhill where they enjoyed a spectacular gallop through the field in front the historic house.

They then took to the hills, up the Duchesses Drive and on to the Bottom Swire and through the Yarrow Valley, now decked in sunshine, to the Gordon Arms Hotel.

Here, collections were taken for Marie Curie for the car parking and from spectators.

Also, Deacon of the Selkirk Incorporation of Hammermen Kevin Fairbairn presented a £500 cheque to the members of the Young Souters Association, the cash raised at their Annual Foy on Common Riding Day this year.

Riders returned down the side of the Yarrow Water, stopping for a well earned break at Fastheugh Farm before passing through the Bowhill estate and fording the Ettrick at Oakwood Mill.

The ride then made its way back to Selkirk via Middlestead, entering the town at Peelgate, and returning to cheering crowds as they entered the Market Place.

Riders and spectators then retired to the Selkirk Conservative Club for the riders’ social and disco.

The Ex-Standard Bearers thanked all the landowners and farmers for allowing the ride to cross their land, Selkirk Flapping Association for providing the water for the riders at the stops, butcher Darren Hoggan for providing the buffet at the social and to Martin Scott and his staff at Selkirk Conservative Club for all their help.

More than £2,000 was raised on the day.