Colliemail.com.au - Full Article
RAELENE HESTON
26 Apr, 2012 10:54 AM
“HE’S a tough little horse,” remarked one official, as 13-year-old Arab stallion West Coast Acheron strolled past the finishing line after a 160-kilometre trek through bushland south-east of Collie. His journey had started shortly after a midnight on Friday, following a vet check, and ended between 4.30 and 5pm on Saturday.
The little chestnut had not raised a sweat at the end of his journey around the Collie racecourse and through the bush.
He had been cantering towards the finish when his rider, Norbert Radney, slowed him to a walk.
Another rider explained that coming in quietly would lower his heart rate and help cool him down before the compulsory vet check.
The cool wind would also help, she added.
After the vet check, there were hugs all around when the WA Endurance Riders’ Association honorary veterinarian, Dr Anne Barnes of Murdoch University, announced Acheron and Dr Radney had qualified for the Australian squad to contest the Senior World Endurance Championships at Euston Park near Newmarket in England during August.
Even before Acheron and Dr Radney finished the event, Dr Barnes said they were well within qualifying time so there was no need for Dr Radney to push his mount...
Read more here:
http://www.colliemail.com.au/news/local/news/general/in-national-squad/2535462.aspx
