Great Britain: World-famous Exmoor Golden Horseshoe Ride sets off this weekend in ‘near perfect’ conditions

(Published:16 May 2019)

More than 140 horses and riders will set out to take part in the world-famous Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor this weekend.

The oldest long-distance Endurance GB ride in the UK is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Europe and sees competitors tackle classes ranging from 24km to 160km (100 miles) over spectacular moorland terrain.

The ride was first held in 1965 with The Daily Telegraph newspaper as main sponsor. Starting from the ride venue in Exford, the 100 mile (160km) route includes several well-known Exmoor landmarks. Designed in two loops, one to the north and one to the south, the course takes riders north via Wheddon Cross to Webbers Post in the shadow of Dunkery Beacon, and then west towards Porlock. The second southerly route sees riders head west towards Withypool and Hawkridge before descending from the moor through woodland to cross the River Barle near Dulverton and then back to Exford via Winsford.

The ride attracts Endurance GB competitors of all levels across a range of classes over the three days. This year, five riders will take on the greatest challenge The Golden Horseshoe Ride itself which covers 100 miles (160km) in two days. The five include three west country-based riders, David Yeoman from Somerset riding Eaunoire Cassie, Gillian Mann from Exeter with HS Parnasse and Kirsty Wiscombe from Dorset riding Yawl Hill Maverick. Travelling further afield are Gillian Talbot from Chepstow with Sa'da Sekora and Sue Cox from Cambridgeshire with Eden El Nyhl.

Five riders will tackle the Exmoor Stag class, which takes competitors over 120km (74.5 miles) in two days. Again the West Country is well represented by three riders, Karen Jones from Cullompton with Treasured Moonbeam, Amanda Tovey from Bristol with Diving Belle and Carri-Ann Dark from Wiltshire with HS Drift. Also lining up in the Exmoor Stag class are Sue Box from Usk with Kazeme El Mystral and Kathy Carr from Leicestershire with Aberllwyd Femme Fatalle.

The most popular class over the weekend is the 24km Pleasure Ride with nearly 50 entries. Horses have to pass stringent vet checks before starting as well as veterinary inspections during the ride to ensure they are fit to continue. Riders and horses are supported during the ride by crew who travel to water points along the route.

Ride organiser Jo Chisholm said after rain and then sunshine this week, the going on the moor for the ride is good and the weather forecast of light cloud and a gentle breeze for the weekend would make for ‘near perfect conditions’.

Cornwall-based Jo, who runs the ride with husband Andrew along with an army of Endurance GB volunteers said: “We are pleased with the level of entries and both the weather and ground conditions look set to provide the ideal conditions for tackling this spectacular course. The Golden Horseshoe Ride attracts riders from across the country and we are looking forward to welcoming them and seeing a wonderful and enjoyable two-days of competition.”

Rebecca Kinnarney, Chair of Endurance GB said: “The Golden Horseshoe and Exmoor Stag classes are two of the greatest classes in the Endurance GB calendar. A completion at this event is regarded as a pinnacle of achievement in our sport but is an achievable ambition with a combination of fit, well-prepared horse and rider, clement weather conditions and a light sprinkling of luck! We wish everyone taking part every success but more importantly, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.”

Australia: Table Top Endurance ride run by Oso Arabians offers scenery and sunshine

TheRural.com.au - Full Article

May 15 2019
Jo Arblaster

Nearly 200 horses, riders, strappers and families pitted themselves against the weather, the terrain and the clock at the annual Table Top Endurance ride held by Oso Arabians.

Riders from Belgium, Hong Kong, Iraq, Scotland and Switzerland joined competitors from NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

The events ranged from 40 to 120 kilometres, with those entered in the longer rides required to be on course at 2am...

Read more here:
https://www.therural.com.au/story/6126294/scenery-and-sunshine-helps-riders-endure-table-top-challenge/?cs=6528

Great Britain: Royal Windsor endurance ‘winner’ disqualified for using reins as whip

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Lucy Elder
14 May, 2019 10:51

The “winning” rider at Royal Windsor’s CEI2* endurance ride was denied his victory for using his reins as a whip.

Jaafar Merza Abdul Nabi Hassan, riding for Bahrain, was the first across the line in the 120km international on 10 May.

But he was disqualified by the ground jury for using his reins as a whip on his ride, Assad, meaning the win went to Ghanim Said Salim Al Owaisi, of the UAE, on Maison Blanche Vengai.

Endurance GB chairman Rebecca Kinnarney said the disqualification sends a “clear signal” to those in the sport that horse welfare is “paramount”...

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/royal-windsor-endurance-winner-disqualified-jaafar-merza-abdul-nabi-hassan-687134?fbclid=IwAR1cuDpCwIsHJ-wgQLadK8-zn7BhcY1p4LXem1fC41i_cWcw6SsOBLm0724

Great Britain: Horse who vanished for 33 hours after fall makes comeback at Royal Windsor

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Lucy Elder
14 May, 2019 17:30

A horse who hit the headlines after vanishing in a forest for 33 hours proved he is none the worse for his adventure by completing an international endurance ride weeks later.

Basil Del Mulo was miraculously unscathed after parting company with his owner/rider Karen Greig at the King’s Forest Spring Ride on 6 April, leading to an exhaustive search by RAF officers, police and numerous helpers.

The 12-year-old grey gelding has now “redeemed himself” by completing Royal Windsor CEI* (80km) on 10 May, finishing in a respectable 19th place.

Karen underwent a bilateral mastectomy several days after the King’s Forest ride, so Basil’s breeder, Richard Allen, took over the reins for Windsor...

Read more here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/basil-de-mulo-royal-windsor-endurance-687221

Pioneer the Gaucho Derby in March 2020

TheAdventurists.com

The greatest test of horsemanship and survival skill on Earth

Sat on a horse, drenched to my skin, squinting to stop my eyeballs being blasted by icey laser rain, battling our way over a pass in the Andes was where I realised the Gaucho Derby is going to be the most epic thing humans and horse can do together. I’ve recently returned from the depths of Patagonia on the route test of the soon to be legendary Gaucho Derby. And well… it’s going to be the greatest test of horsemanship on the planet.

Cutting your way through endless forest with no paths for a full day. Cresting wind-blasted peak after peak. Crashing out for the night under the stars with our trusty steeds beside us. Working for sections with not just your own horse but a pack horse. One wrong navigation decision might cost a full day’s ride.

This is going to be the other toughest horse race on the planet. And different to the Mongol Derby in pretty much every way. Apart from the horses thing.

And now it’s time for that most excellent thing, the Pioneers edition of the Gaucho. This is the first time it’s ever been tried. This is when the adventure is greatest. When you will really be cutting a path through equine history. Helping to shape the race for riders to come.

we’re opening applications for the very soon. 

We’ll be releasing little bits of information over the coming weeks so stay tuned...

Sign up for updates here:
https://www.theadventurists.com/adventures/gaucho-derby/

Cheerio for now,

Tom
Gaucho Derby & Mongol Derby Founder

Argentina: Successful second edition of the Bragado Endurance Festival

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

13 May 2019
Race report made with the assistance of Cecilia Hynes

Bragado Endurance Festival, Bragado Endurance Club, Bragado, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Friday 3 and Saturday 4 May 2019. Organised for the second consecutive year, Chacras del Bragado received more than 150 entries in its BEF (Bragado Endurance Festival), with M7 Stables Sponsorship.

After last year’s magnificent organisation, many riders and spectators joined the event. There were Uruguayan, Chilean, American, Chinese and local riders.
This time, the heart rate monitor system for the horses was “Kronos”, and same as last year Yamamah APP showed the live results.
On Thursday, after the horse admission, a horse auction was held, to partially subsidise the expenses of the Argentinean team who will compete in the Pan American Championship in Llay Llay (Chile) in October. These horses were donated by Argentinean breeders to promote the sport and help the Argentinean riders. The auction was a success and all horses were sold...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/successful-second-edition-of-the-bragado-endurance-festival/

Endurance GB responds to FEI Royal Windsor Endurance Ride result

EnduranceGB.co.uk

Commenting on the FEI Endurance 80km CEI-1* and 120km CEI-2* at Royal Windsor, Endurance GB Chair Rebecca Kinnarney said: “The opportunity to compete at a major FEI ride here at Windsor gives British riders a wonderful experience at a showcase venue and we were delighted that 14 of our riders completed the CEI-1* class successfully.

“The work of the veterinary commission was exemplary throughout the course of this ride and the Technical Delegate and organising team adapted to difficult conditions at the start in the mist to ensure safety.”

Commenting on the disqualification of the first rider to cross the line in the 120km CEI-2* for breach of a sport rule in respect of use of the reins as a whip, she added: “Endurance GB welcomes the application of the rules by the Ground Jury at Royal Windsor Endurance in respect of this rider. While most other equestrian disciplines allow whips and their rules accordingly pertain to excessive use, FEI Endurance rules simply don’t allow whips to be used. Something being used as one was witnessed by the Ground Jury in this case, and so the rider was subject to a strict liability test.

“In the light of the current FEI investigation into the ‘reshaping’ of endurance, the outcome of the Ground Jury’s deliberations at Windsor sends a clear signal to all those involved in the sport as riders, trainers and crews as well as those watching the sport closely from the side lines that the welfare of the horse is paramount.

“Endurance GB are grateful to the Ride Organisers, HPower, and to the Crown Estate for enabling this event to go ahead.”

The top six British riders to complete the FEI CEI 1* were; 8th, Lauren Mills (HS Jamal), 19.272km/hr; 10th, Anna Bridges (Crystal Wissam), 19.254 km/hr; 11th, Louise Rich (Oakleazefarm Czamak) 19.106km/hr; 12th, Georgina Vaughan (Polaris) 16.661km/hr; 13th, Nicola Chappell (Viniculture) 16.615km/hr; 14th, Sarah Ainsworth (LB Armanii) 16.614km/hr.