Golden times at last ever Golden Horseshoe

Westernmorningnews.co.uk - Full Article

By Western Morning News | Posted: May 20, 2015

By Liz Parks

A few seconds into our first ever attempt at the Golden Horseshoe pleasure ride it became clear that my cob, Percy, was having the time of his life.

My normally steady and sensible chap could see some other riders cantering over the hill and he decided that he really, really wanted to follow them.

There followed a few minutes where I saw a different side of him – in his own mind, despite the reality of being a middle aged, chunky chap, he was an elite athlete who wanted to go, go go.

But with the brakes feeling more than a bit dodgy and a long, steep, stony descent rapidly approaching I decided I wasn’t taking any chances so, within five minutes of starting, I had hopped off and we walked down the track feeling more than a little foolish.

Half way down, we were passed by two more riders, Judith and Caroline, who kindly said ‘yes’ when I asked if I could tag along with them.

So, having remounted, we started the 23km route again. And, what a route it is! Miles and miles of moorland tracks taking you up jaw-droppingly steep climbs with the reward of panoramic views of the moor at the top...

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Golden-times-Golden-Horseshoe/story-26540980-detail/story.html#ixzz3ami0eCDx

Great Britain: 50th Golden Horseshoe endurance ride on Exmoor

Westernmorningnews.co.uk - Article and Pictures

By WMNJBayley | Posted: May 18, 2015

Riders from as far afield as Hong Kong tackled moorland terrain, steep hills and rivers to as part of one of the Golden Horseshoe endurance ride.

Following months of training, horse riders have put their stamina to the ultimate test by taking part in the infamous Golden Horseshoe endurance ride.

Over 200 competitors spent the weekend navigating Exmoor’s rich landscape of rolling hills valleys and water crossings, with routes varying in length from 15 to 100 miles.

Entrants from across the South West and as far afield as Scotland, Ireland and Hong Kong travelled to Exford for the 50th and possibly the last Golden Horseshoe ride, unless new organisers are found to take over from the retiring committee...

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-50th-Golden-Horseshoe-endurance-ride/pictures-26523773-detail/pictures.html#ixzz3aatBMROY

Great Britain: Nasser bin Hamad wins Windsor Endurance Race

BNA.bh - Full Article

15/05/2015

London, May 15 (BNA): Following the leadership of His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman, Bahrain Olympic Committee President and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team Captain HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain Royal Endurance Team won the first three places in the endurance race of the 73rd Royal Windsor Horse Show, held in the United Kingdom today.

HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa won first place for the second year in a row. Team members Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa and Raed Mahmood won the second and third places respectively.

More than fifty riders took part in the race, representing England, Honk Kong, Holland, Oman, Poland, South Africa, Argentina, Spain and France...

Read more here:
http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/668747

Great Britain: Arabian stud celebrates 50 years with open day

Westerndailypress.co.uk - Full Article

By Western Daily Press | Posted: May 16, 2015
by Jeff Wells

A breeder of Arabian horses is celebrating 50 years in the business this weekend, opening his stud's gates so the public can see some of the famous bloodlines.

Michael Harris' family have been at Combe Farm, near Honiton, Devon for 70 years and in that time the horses have been named world champions and Newmarket record holders...

Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Arabian-stud-celebrates-50-years-open-day/story-26509666-detail/story.html#ixzz3aJYSnYDe

Great Britain: Globally-renowned Golden Horseshoe ride set for return to moor

Westernmorningnews.co.uk - Full Article

By Western Morning News | Posted: May 14, 2015

The 50th – and possibly – last ever Golden Horseshoe endurance ride is taking place on Exmoor this weekend with most classes full as riders seize what may be their last chance to take part.

The ride will see around 200 riders and horses following routes varying in length from 100 to 15 miles over the moor’s rolling hills and valleys.

Two entrants are travelling from Hong Kong to take part with other riders due to arrive from Scotland and Ireland...

Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Globally-renowned-Golden-Horseshoe-ride-set/story-26503382-detail/story.html#ixzz3aEhKXuTv

Great Britain: H&H Golden Horseshoe team blog: stunning views and aching legs

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Horse & Hound
13 May, 2015

With just days to go until the Horse & Hound team tackle the Golden Horseshoe, team members Polly Bryan and Rachael Hook update us on their training

Polly: minor acrobatics and protesting thighs

With the 25km Golden Horseshoe ride looming, and having not sat on a horse since going hunting on New Year’s Day, I got in some match practice by heading to Somerset to ride my potential mount for the event.

Sunny, a buzzy 16.3hh ex-pointer, isn’t the usual type of horse you would imagine taking part in an endurance event, but I’m sure he will prove an excellent partner. He has been very kindly lent to me by Jess Baker.

Fellow H&H team member Emily Secrett and I were lucky enough to have beautiful weather as we set off onto Exmoor.

For the first half of the ride, my attention was more focused on the car rally that was taking place in the area — all four of us were acutely aware of the ominous sound of rally cars in the distance.

Thankfully, after being chased up a hill by one such rally car, and Sunny displaying some minor acrobatics, we were into the peace and quiet of the moor.

As we climbed, assessing Sunny and Sox’s suitability for gate opening (Sox – very, Sunny – not so much), the views of the sea and surrounding countryside began to open up — it was really stunning...

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hh-golden-horseshoe-team-blog-stunning-views-and-aching-legs-491872#urPMlY27g5jfy2GQ.99

UAE suspension: What we know so far

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

Neil Clarkson | May 12, 2015

The sun is shining and the temperature climbs to around 40 degrees Celsius across the United Arab Emirates at this time of the year.

It is safe to assume that the air conditioning in the Abu Dhabi headquarters of the Emirates Equestrian Federation is set to a much more comfortable level.

Despite that, we are led to believe the federation is still feeling the heat over its interim suspension by the FEI over concerns in the discipline of endurance...

Read more: http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/05/12/uae-suspension-what-know/#ixzz3Zw576Brn