FOUR intrepid friends saddled up to take part in an epic 130-mile adventure to find out how accessible bridleways in Herefordshire are for their equine pals, writes SOPHIE BIGNALL.

Alison Adcock and friends Shirley Hamilton, Judith Weatherall and Julie Broadhurst spent three weeks in the saddle on behalf of the British Horse Society, sometimes riding up to six hours a day.

Alison explained that it took a long time because they wanted to allow their horses to rest properly and enjoy their holiday as much as they did.

They rode from the Brecon Beacons National Park to Bromyard using paths that will become part of a national route in 2004 and join up with another route in Gloucestershire.

Mrs Adcock said: "It is part of an initiative to create these national routes making a network of these properly-signposted, easily-accessible routes that are safe for horse riding."

The ladies, who are all from the Reading area, were amazed at the picturesque beauty of the county, staying at farms and bed and breakfasts during the trip that took three months to organise.

Other exciting events included a lot of 'sheep rescue'.

Luckily, ex-policewoman Julie has quite a few sheep at home and was able to help several lambs that had got stuck in wire along the way.