March 29 2026
An eye-catching performance from an unconventional partnership saw Jennifer Gaimster and her 14.1hh piebald cob, Striker, take second place in the 80km CER at the Haywood Oaks Endurance Ride on 28th March 2026.
Representing the West Riding Group of Endurance GB, the pair completed the course in 6 hours at an average speed of 13.3kph, delivering a confident and competitive ride capped off with a thrilling racing finish.
Striker, a 2014-born gelding with no recorded breeding, is not the typical profile of a high-level endurance horse – making the result all the more notable. The partnership only began their endurance career together in 2023 but have shown consistent progression through the ranks.
During the 2025 season, they recorded a third place at Avon Valley (62km CER), a fourth at Cirencester (80km CER at the Inter-Regional Championships), and an 11th place finish at the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance (80km CER). At Haywood Oaks, they stepped up again to secure their highest placing to date.
“Haywood Oaks was our first ‘race ride’ of the season and what a day it turned out to be,” said Jennifer. “Striker was calm and focused from the start, and we found a great rhythm early on.”
The pair rode in company with Iola Chapman, eventual winner, for the duration of the course, maintaining a steady pace across varied conditions, including sunshine, strong winds and hail. As the finish line came into sight, the competitive nature of the class came to the fore.
“We’d ridden together for the whole 80km, but when we turned for home, it was time to race. It was our first racing finish – I asked him to go, and he did. To feel that energy still there after 80km was incredible.”
As always in endurance, the result hinged on the final veterinary inspection. Having vetted out at the same venue the previous year, Jennifer admitted to feeling the pressure.
“There were definitely some nerves going into the final trot-up. But this is what the sport is about – the vets are there to ensure the horse’s welfare comes first.”
Striker passed with a heart rate of 50bpm and was awarded an ‘A’ for action, confirming an excellent recovery and securing their second-place finish.
“The relief was huge. I burst into tears – he’d done everything I could have asked of him.” Jennifer was quick to acknowledge the support behind the scenes, including organisers, volunteers and her crew, highlighting the collective effort that underpins success in the sport.
With a strong start to the 2026 season, this partnership continues to demonstrate that performance in endurance is not defined by breeding alone, but by careful training, horsemanship, and the strength of the horse-and-rider partnership.
