This is the first ascent of Cader by horse in living memory

Cader Idris which rises up near Dolgellau in southern Snowdonia is claimed by locals to be haunted and its said that anyone who spends the night on its peak will wake up either a madman or a poet.

Among the group of mid Wales equestrians who attempted the climb on Wednesday was a 66-year-old who last year underwent a triple heart by-pass operation.

Brian Matthews from Llandinam, near Llanidloes, is one of four riders who took part in the 900 metre climb to the summit.

And another rider made a 50-mile round trip to and from Cader Idris to take part in the event on Wednesday.

I've lived here all my life and this is the first time in more than 70 years that I can remember a group of horse riders doing the climb John Lewis, farmer

The ascent on the old pony trail from Pennant to the summit will raise funds for both the British Heart Foundation and The British Horse Society.

"This was the first time that someone has ridden up Cader for at least 10 years according to Snowdon Rangers," said Mr Matthews, who underwent his life-saving heart operation a year ago to the day of the climb.

Bridleway

"I have done this because it is a challenge and to prove that someone who has undergone a heart by-pass operation can do something like this."

The group took three hours to climb the mountain, which legend claims was the home of a giant named Idris.

Three large stones rest at the foot of the mountain and, as the legend has it, Idris kicked them from the top of the mountain after he got angry.

"We were able to ride the horses all the way up Cader until the last 50 metres when we had to dismount and scramble the rest of the way up,"

The ride will raise money for two charities

The ride took place because farmer John Lewis let the group leave the bridleway and go over his land for some of the climb.

"I've lived here all my life and this is the first time in more than 70 years that I can remember a group of horse riders doing the climb," said Mr Lewis of Tynyfach farm at Pennant.

"I have given the riders my permission to leave the bridle path and travel on my land before returning to the path at a higher point," he added.

Rider Mike Brennan, from Mochdre, decided to travel the 26-miles from his home to Pennant across Forestry land before making the climb with the rest of the group on Wednesday.

Cader Idris has three peaks which together form the shape of a giant's chair.

At the foot of these peaks is a vast chasm filled with water which is the reputedly bottomless lake Llyn Cau.