Cork woman undertakes 'Wild Atlantic Horseback Ride' beginning on Donegal coast

A Cork woman has undertaken her second horseback ride along the Wild Atlantic Way, starting in Donegal Town.

Sandra Schmid, an experienced social worker and educational tutor, has set off along the route with her horse Skye, dog Turnip and a tent, travelling approximately 20km daily along the coast. 

“I have been meeting lots of lovely people, staying with families, on farms and in Equestrian Centres,” Sandra told DonegalLive. “Everyone is so helpful!”

This excursion started as Sandra runs Hairy Henry Care Farm in West Cork as a social enterprise. Last year, they formed a trust to oversee fundraising for the teen programme, so the Wild Atlantic Ride aims to raise awareness for the ongoing GoFundMe. 

The fundraiser was set up to support  'Giddy Up and Go', an educational programme for young teens aged 12-16 who experience challenges in mainstream school. The programme offers children the opportunity to learn about horses, their care, horse handling and basic riding skills at their own pace in a child-centred, supportive environment, working towards an educational award which can be used as a stepping stone back into education and career choice.

“We want to run this programme on an ongoing basis, so continuous fundraising is needed, so I came up with the idea of doing a leg of the Wild Atlantic Way each year."

This is the second year Sandra has undertaken the Wild Atlantic Horseback Ride. Last year, she began at Malin Head; this year, she started the leg from Donegal town,  hoping to go into Mayo, possibly as far as Westport, following the coastline.