THE AGM of Mid-Cotswold Tracks & Trails Group takes place at 7.30pm at Box Village Hall, GL6 9HE, on Wednesday, October 14.

MCTTG is a group affiliated to the British Horse Society who work with other interested parties, such as Public Rights of Way, The National Trust, The Woodland Trust and parish councils to improve and increase the existing network of off-road tracks and bridleways for the use of horse riders, disabled, cyclists and walkers.

The group is free to join.

This is followed at 8pm by a talk from Verity Smith.

'Verity is a blind international dressage rider, singer, songwriter and author. She believes in advocating the ability in disability and relishes the challenge of defying convention and breaking down boundaries. Verity is aiming to be the first Blind Grand Prix Rider, and with much hard work to be the first disabled member of Able Bodied Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

'Having already represented her country as a member of Parateam GB, Verity hopes to requalify for the 2016 Brazil (Rio) paralympics, but currently a blindfold ruling in prohibiting her from doing so.

'She is hoping to overturn this ruling before September 2016.

Her journey started in 2014 when she partly purchased her horse, Szekit, through a crowd funding campaign.

'Any monies raised through the campaign will go to the charities Guide Dogs for the Blind and Riding for the Disabled’

The talk is free and open to anyone.

There will be a donation box for Verity's chosen charities, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Riding for the Disabled, with refreshments and a table top sale for MCTTG funds.

Please email midcotswoldtrails@gmail.com if you would like to come, so we can estimate numbers.