Persimmon backs Man v Horse race in Somerset with £2k donation

Two regional businesses from leading house builder Persimmon Homes have saddled up to support one of Somerset’s most unusual and inspiring endurance events - the Man v Horse race.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley and Persimmon Homes South West have each donated £1,000, providing a combined £2,000 through the company’s Community Champions scheme to help stage the event, which returns to the Quantock Hills this October for its second year.

The gruelling 23-mile race sees runners take on horses over challenging countryside terrain. Beating a horse might seem like an impossible task, but in the race’s short Somerset history – and in its Welsh predecessor – runners have managed to do just that. Last year’s inaugural event in the county even ended in a dramatic tie.

Beyond the spectacle, Man v Horse carries a deeper purpose. The event raises funds for Project Pegasus, a Somerset-based therapy programme that helps children and young people affected by drug and alcohol use within their families. The initiative, run by Equi-Librium Coaching and Therapy, uses horses to help young people rebuild trust, confidence and connection.

Carly Spear, Sales Director, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said “Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme is about supporting the people, charities and causes that make our local communities special.

“Man v Horse is a brilliant example - it’s fun, challenging and rooted in community spirit, but it also has a real and lasting impact through the work of Project Pegasus. We’re delighted to lend our support.”

Stacey Harris, Sales Director, Persimmon Homes South West, added “Events like Man v Horse bring people together and celebrate what makes Somerset unique - its landscape, its people, and its passion for helping others. Persimmon is thrilled to contribute towards such an uplifting and meaningful occasion that champions both endurance and empathy.”

Philip King, Co-Founder of Equi-Librium Coaching and Therapy and organiser of Man v Horse, commented “We’re hugely grateful to Persimmon Homes for their generous support. Very often, traditional therapy isn’t the right fit for the children and young people we work with – but being outside, working alongside horses, helps them rebuild trust and connection.

“The race is all about hopefulness and joy, and knowing that local businesses like Persimmon believe in what we’re doing makes all the difference.”