Surrey Hills Horse Blessing Service Resurrected At St Martha’s Church

Published on: 24 Apr, 2018
Updated on: 24 Apr, 2018

For centuries there has been a close partnership between human beings and horses and this long-established relationship was honoured on Sunday (April 22) with the revival of an old tradition at St Martha’s Church, Chilworth.

The Rev Stephanie Sokolowski blesses the horses at St Martha’s Church.

A service of blessing for horses and their riders was conducted by the Rev Stephanie Sokolowski, vicar of Chilworth, to celebrate horse riding in the Surrey Hills. It was the first service of horse blessing at the church for 50 years.

She said: “What a wonderful event this was. It was a delight to see so many horses and riders making the effort to climb up to the top of the hill and attend the service. I would love to see this event happen annually. It was an honour to bring the equestrian community together and to celebrate these beautiful animals.”

The event was co-ordinated by the Surrey Hills Board as part of its events programme to celebrate 60 years of the Surrey Hills being designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills Board director, said: “This event was a great way to celebrate all recreational users of the Surrey Hills, walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders.

“We understand that Horseman’s Sunday events used to take place in the Surrey Hills in the past and many of the riders here today attended these events but sadly they no longer happen. It seemed the perfect opportunity in 2018 to resurrect this event.”

About 20 horses lined up with their riders in the afternoon sunshine to take part in the ceremony. Prayers were said to honour the horses, and rosettes were presented to the riders to mark the occasion.