Steve's President shock on mammoth trek

From the archive, first published Monday 1st Aug 2005.

ADVENTURER Steve McCutcheon found himself catching up with the president of Pakistan while preparing for a mammoth sponsored horse ride across Asia.

Steve, from Bromley Cross, is aiming to become the first person to ride 6,000 miles along an ancient trade route in Asia for Action Aid, a charity which aims to improve education in Asia.

He will spend a year travelling through the rocky mountains of Pakistan, the scorching desert of China and along the Great Wall of China, otherwise known as the silk route, made famous by explorers such as Marco Polo.

As a part of his training, Steve, aged 25, travelled to the northern areas of Pakistan, which border China, India and Afghanistan, where he watched the Shandur Polo tournament, first held by the British in 1936.

He said: "No one actually expected that President Musharraf would turn up. But we all suspected something was happening on the second day.

"Two army choppers had hovered over the centre of the polo match while it was in full swing, throwing up a dust storm and destroying all hope of the players ever seeing the ball.

"A long white limousine arrived and a smartly dressed ensemble gathered at its door. Out stepped the president dressed in slacks, loose shirt and bright yellow cap that said 'President' in bright red writing!î

After the three-day tournament, Steve was given the opportunity to ride one of the polo horses for 30 miles in the mountains thanks to an acquaintance, Ashraf Gul, who is one the biggest names in the sport.

Steve, a former Turton High School pupil, who is looking to raise £100,000 for the charity, is hoping to set off on his trek on August 15 - Indian independence day.

The horse for his ride is being provided by contacts in Pakistan.

Steve has only become a competent horse rider while he has been travelling after graduating from Loughborough University. He decided to embark on a sponsored horse trek after being appalled at the education provision for children in some of the worldís poorest countries.

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