United Arab Emirates and Great Britain Triumph In Fourth Euston Park Endurance Ride

Eustonparkendurance.co.uk - Full Article

13 August 2016

The last of the four Longines presented Euston Park Endurance Rides, supported by Emirates Airlines, was the largest to date, with 81 riders starting this morning’s ride (Saturday August 13). The four classes saw three wins for the UAE and one for Great Britain in what was the final of four rides and the HH Sh. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Festival.

Great Britain’s Kate Atkinson (19) from Clitheroe, Lancashire riding Tannasg Psyches Realm put in an amazing performance in her first ride in the popular Young Rider’s CEI2* 120km, which had a starting line-up of 15 riders. The Brit put in a steady performance with consistently fast times meaning she was ahead on each loop and finished first in almost exactly six hours, with an average speed of 19.95kph and a qualification for next year’s Junior World Championships in Italy, as well as scooping top prize in the Best Condition Award.

“I’ve never done that in my life!” said Kate of her average speed. “I’m still in shock. I really didn’t expect to win. I just aimed to complete and qualify for the Worlds. It’s my Mum’s horse and she let me have a ride on it! I knew when I went out on the last loop I was in first place but even then the qualification was more important than the place. But then I thought ‘this is too good to not try’. It’s just…. Wow!”

The FEI ride drew entries from 17 nations including Australia, France, Pakistan and Sweden and once again comprised four classes: the CEI1* 80km, CEI2* 120km (Young Rider and senior classes) and the CEI3* 160km. As riders set off in staggered start times from 06:45 the weather looked promising with warm sunshine, a strong breeze and plenty of cloud cover. It didn’t disappoint. Conditions remained consistent all day and the organisers’ decision to drop the yellow loop was proven totally vindicated as the rest of the course rode extremely well...

Read more here:
http://eustonparkendurance.co.uk/united-arab-emirates-and-great-britain-triumph-in-fourth-euston-park-endurance-ride/