South Africa: Middelburg endurance ride

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

9th March 2020
Race Report made with the assistance of Carmen Du Preez

Fairview Farm, Middelburg, Eastern-Cape, South Africa. Friday 22 and Saturday 23 February 2020.

The Middelburg (Lormar) FEI 3* ride was blessed with rain early in the week which had both a positive and negative effect on the course . With the Karoo area experiencing drought for so long the rain was welcomed. The track now being muddy in some sections did create new problems but was carefully approached by riders after receiving sound advice from the veterinary panel at briefing.

The entire ride had to be set-up quickly as the venue was used for a cycling event the weekend before. The course was muddy in strategic places and had to be re-thought and changed at the last minute to keep the horses and riders safe. It all turned out well with a high completion rate.

Riders, vets and officials came from all over the country to support and participate at the much loved Lormar ride. The ride was well supported with 83 horses in both FEI & ERASA ( Endurance Riding Association of South Africa ) categories.
New rule changes had many riders and junior riders queuing with heavy saddles at registration. After ride discussions weren’t positive about the dead weight on the horses and light and heavy weight riders being excluded from FEI weight classes...

Read more here:
https://endurance-world.com/middelburg-endurance-ride/