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Knutsford, Cheshire – British endurance rider Pat Guerin has reached a remarkable milestone, achieving 20,000 competitive kilometres in endurance riding, marking more than four decades of dedication to the sport she first discovered in the late 1970s.
“I am absolutely delighted and still can’t quite believe I have ridden so many successful competitive kilometres,” said Pat. “It’s been an incredible journey.”
Pat has ridden since the age of five, but her endurance career began after moving from Suffolk to Cheshire in 1977. Answering a local newspaper advert to exercise hunters led to her first endurance ride in 1978 on the mare Treble Chance, a 40-mile Exmoor qualifier. From that moment, she was hooked. She went on to ride for several years before purchasing the iconic Blue ‘G’, beginning a partnership that would define much of her early success.
Among Pat’s many highlights are 3rd and 4th placings in the EHPS Summer Solstice 100-mile rides, the unforgettable experience of mass starts in the dark, and being shortlisted for a Great Britain team to compete in the USA in 1988. In 1989, she rode for England in the winning team at the very first Home International. Pat has also placed in the top five of the prestigious Manar Trophy on four occasions—once with Blue ‘G’ and three times with C F Winter Amadeus.
Still actively competing, Pat currently rides two pure-bred Arab geldings: C F Winter Amadeus, 19, who has recently achieved his own 4,800km award, and Farid My Lad, 16. Amadeus was a classic Grade 1 horse in his prime and a three-time winner of the Arab Horse Society Pure Bred Performance Horse Award. Farid My Lad offers a different challenge, particularly at vettings, but both horses continue to thrive under Pat’s thoughtful and experienced management.
Pat credits her longevity in the sport to steady, varied training, careful horse management, and knowing when to rest. She combines regular hacking with flatwork lessons and occasional dressage competitions, while her horses live out as much as possible throughout the year. She also acknowledges the vital role of her support network, including her husband David and a loyal group of friends who have crewed for her over the years.
A long-standing member of the Cheshire and Staffordshire bridleways community, Pat also values the social side of riding through pleasure rides and training groups, describing endurance as “an all-inclusive sport where everyone is friendly, helpful and encouraging.”
Reflecting on how the sport has evolved, Pat notes huge changes in feeding, equipment and clothing, while believing the heart of endurance remains the same: partnership, resilience and shared experience across beautiful landscapes.
Looking ahead, Pat plans to continue riding 32km and 40km rides regularly, hopes to complete more two-day events, and has her eye on returning to favourites such as Red Dragon, Cirencester and Well Vale.
“Endurance GB is my absolutely amazing happy place,” she said. “As a child I dreamed of having my own pony and riding for miles and miles. Endurance has certainly fulfilled that dream.”
Pat Guerin’s 20,000km achievement stands as a testament to commitment, horsemanship and a lifelong passion for endurance riding within the Endurance GB community.
For further information or interview requests, please contact:
pat.guerin@talk21.com
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