With young riders, cyclists and a Junior Sheriff joining the parade, Lichfield’s centuries-old tradition looks set to ride on for generations to come.
The streets of Lichfield came alive on Saturday 6 September as the Sheriff’s Ride set off from outside the Guildhall. Crowds enjoyed a display from the Worcestershire Cavalry, the lively steps of the Three Spires Morris Dancers, and words from the Sheriff before the official start at 10am.
Film Credit: L.Marlowe Films
The Sheriff’s Ride is one of the oldest traditions in the city’s calendar, tracing back hundreds of years as a ceremonial ride around the city’s boundaries. Once a duty of office, it has become both a celebration of heritage and a showcase of community spirit.
Among this year’s patrons was Jane Holderness-Roddam, the Olympic equestrian who won team gold in Mexico in 1968. She recalled her own connection to the city:
My nanny used to live at Rugeley and often brought us to Lichfield. We used to come to see the cathedral and feed the ducks, so that was my connection.
She stressed the importance of keeping such traditions alive.
It’s very important to keep these events going. Tradition is important not only for the next generations but also for the world looking in, because Britain is renowned for its heritage. From a tourist point of view it’s terribly important, and watching the horses and riders head out is a tremendous sight. Just by coming and talking to the organisers and saying, we want to help, everything helps keep the tradition alive and make it an even more prestigious occasion.
The Ride was revived and expanded thanks to people like Robyn Reid, a determined disabled rider who refused to let it disappear after Covid. When she heard the event might be dropped, she lobbied then-Mayor Jamie Checkland for nearly an hour until a committee was formed to keep it alive. Today she not only rides but also serves on that committee, helping to introduce the Junior Sheriff role and a new Junior Fund for children.
She described how much it means to her:
Every year I need to keep my horse fit. It doesn’t matter what anybody says, I have to get on that horse. It doesn’t matter how I feel, I have to do it. When I heard the Ride might not carry on, I fought for it. Now we’re in our third year, we’ve got children involved, cyclists involved, and my own son is riding alongside me. That makes me very proud.
This year saw the inclusion of 43 cyclists, a big increase on last year. “Horses and cyclists can get along, probably better than car drivers,” Robyn laughed. “It’s about respect and training, and it’s made the Ride stronger.”
The new cycling element was supported by Olympic champion Sophie Capewell, who grew up in Lichfield. She was excited to see the Ride growing in new directions:
Lichfield is my home and it’s really nice that these traditions are still going. The amount of people here today shows how much it matters. It’s not just about history, it’s about community, sport and achievement too.
She also praised the effort of the cyclists:
The bike ride was 35 miles, which isn’t a short distance. It was great to see people achieving something, not just turning up but really taking part. Hopefully this is just the start. Maybe in future we’ll see runners as well. The more people we get involved, the stronger this tradition will be.
At the heart of the day were the young people stepping into tradition. Ten-year-old Daniel Mannox, elected Junior Sheriff through an essay and school vote, rode in his official carriage.
I had to write an essay on why I should be Junior Sheriff. About five or six of us applied, and then the school and the Sheriff’s friends voted. That’s how I was picked. My friends were quite surprised, and kind of a bit rude about it, but I’m proud to do it. I was in a carriage and I’d been practising my royal wave.
Ruth Redgate, who interviewed Daniel ahead of the Ride, reflected:
Seeing the pride on Daniel’s face showed what this tradition meant to the younger generation. When children take part, it gives the whole city confidence that the Sheriff’s Ride will continue long into the future.
For me, the day was a perfect example of what Lichfield stands for. A centuries-old civic duty has become a celebration for everyone, bringing together horses, bicycles, carriages and crowds in one shared story. With community support, we can keep accentuating the positive, ensuring the Sheriff’s Ride remains a source of civic pride for generations to come.
History Notes on the Sheriff’s Ride
- The Sheriff’s Ride dates back to at least the 16th century, when the Sheriff of Lichfield was required to inspect the city’s boundaries on horseback.
- It traditionally takes place on the first Saturday of September each year.
- The role of the Sheriff in Lichfield is one of the oldest civic offices in England, with duties once tied to law and order as well as ceremonial functions.
- The Ride became less about law enforcement and more about pageantry and civic pride in the 18th and 19th centuries, drawing crowds from across Staffordshire.
- Today the Sheriff’s Ride is believed to be unique in the UK, continuing an unbroken civic tradition where the Sheriff rides out with horsemen, officials and the public.
Sources:
- Lichfield District Council archives
- The History of the City of Lichfield by Thomas Harwood (1806)
- Lichfield City Council, Sheriff’s Ride pages
Amazing Photos by Robert Yardley!
