The Vale of the White Horse is a region in the traditional country of Berkshire lying between the Berkshire Downs and the River Thames. It takes its name from the prehistoric Uffington White Horse. Since the 1974 reorganisation of the administrative counties, the Vale has fallen under the control of Oxfordshire for local government purposes and the name is used for the local government district covering much of the area. However, it is still considered part of Berkshire ecclesiastically and for many sports.