Tenby’s Mayor was on hand to greet a young rider and her horse Stripe on Sunday after they trekked to the coastal town on a 200 mile journey for charity.

Seventeen-year-old Seren Parry, a student at St Brigid’s in Denbigh, followed in the footsteps of her mother Sharon who undertook the same journey 18 years ago.

The young rider who was joined on the journey by her friend Emily Jones (who had to leave early on Sunday morning before the photo), was meant to be eventing her Irish sports horse Gerry this Summer, but the Coronavirus pandemic scuppered that, and instead she decided to trek from North to South Wales to raise money for charity.

So far, Seren and Emily have raised more than £2,100 from their ride, with half going to St Kentigern’s Hospice in St Asaph, and the remainder to be divided between the NHS and the British Horse Society.

The duo and Stripe left Seren’s family farm near Trefnant in North Wales on Friday, August 21, and after braving some adverse weather conditions in recent days, they arrived in Tenby on Sunday morning, two days before returning to school.

Seren, who will be going into her A level year at St Brigid’s this month, said: "If it wasn’t for Coronavirus, I would have been competing Gerry at BE100 trying to qualify for the grassroots finals at Badminton and getting Stripe ready for her first BE80s.

“I am very lucky that I haven’t been personally affected by the pandemic, but I was off school with nothing to do and I wanted to do what I could to help.

"I came up with this idea as it was something I could still do with social distancing regulations and raise money for charity at the same time.”

Stripe is a 14 year old and was bought last October by Seren as a ’project horse’.

Fourteen-year-old warmblood cross Stripe followed a strict fitness plan for the journey, to prepare for the challenge, and underwent regular physio beforehand, whilst also undergoing health checks throughout each day of the 10-day challenge to make sure she is in the best health possible.

Seren was able to benefit from her mother’s previous experience of the trip, which has been a help while planning their route, but the pandemic has posed some additional challenges.

“We made some changes along the way to our planning where roads have become busier or train tracks have been added,” she said.

Seren and Emily’s mums were on hand for the journey following in support vehicles, making sure they had enough water for the horses and to act as back up if any problems should arise.

“It was lovely to welcome the weary travellers to Tenby - it is fabulous how so many people have been raising money for worthy causes. We met on The Croft, overlooking the Harbour - I can’t think of a better destination!” said the Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall.

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can head to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/little-dragons-go-from-north-to-south