Horseandhound.co.uk - Full ArticleAimi Clark, Rachael Hook, Polly Bryan and Emily Secrett
10 June, 2015
A Horse & Hound team completed the Golden Horseshoe earlier this month (17 May).
Showing, vet and point-to-point editor Aimi Clark, designer Emily Secrett, news writer/digital sub editor Rachael Hook and dressage/print sub editor Polly Bryan update us on their experiences of the endurance ride.
Aimi: ‘Welfare is top of the agenda’
I had mixed feelings as I arrived on Exmoor to tackle the Golden Horseshoe. It is exciting and I barely slept the night before, but it is also the unknown — I’ve never competed in endurance before — and the international side of the sport has been surrounded by controversy recently. To top it off my horse, Bee, has missed several days’ work after losing a shoe and becoming foot sore. Typically thoroughbred timing.
Bee waits for inspectionThe veterinary inspection is one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve done. Waiting to be called forward I see a chestnut with a distinctive nod. The rider is devastated that the beloved horse she thought was in perfect health is in pain, and thoughts of the ride — all that preparation, travelling time, financial investment — pales in significance. Two vets assess the horse to see what the problem might be before he goes home. Welfare is top of the agenda here...
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hh-golden-horseshoe-team-blog-lets-hope-for-many-more-years-495292#SZwxgs3GqvFVvQBA.99
