To support Doddie Weir motor neurone charity, Scottish Borders duo take part in world's toughest horse race

Pic: Bill McBurnie Photography

Scotsman.com - Full Article

It’s a feat of endurance

By Gaby Soutar
Wednesday, 11th May 2022, 4:45 pm

“It's known to be a proper challenge, not a pony trek”, says Alice Gully, 46, co-owner of Aardvark Safaris.

In a few months' time, Heriot-based Gully, along with her friend, Kate Mactaggart, 46, who lives in Jedburgh, will be taking part in the Mongol Derby - otherwise known as the toughest horse race in the world. Only 40 jockeys are selected for this grueling event, which takes place from August 7-20 and covers a 1000km route through the Mongolian Steppe.

The horses are semi-wild, temperatures are expected to range from freezing to 38 degrees centigrade, riders will survive on a diet of offal and mutton, and the terrain covers mountains, rivers and desert. Usually, half of the riders quit or are injured before the finishing line...

Read more here:
https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/outdoors/to-support-doddie-weir-motor-neurone-charity-scottish-borders-duo-take-part-in-worlds-toughest-horse-race-3690087

South Africa: Smaldeel club enjoys first endurance ride in Gqeberha

News24.com - Full Article

May 11 2022
Johanette Van Heerden

OVER the last weekend of April, 35 endurance horse riders descended upon Emerald Valley, in Kragga Kamma Road, Gqeberha, for Kouga Riding Club’s (KRC) first ever ERASA (Endurance Riding Association of South Africa) affiliated ride.

Riders and officials came from as far as Stellenbosch and Worcester to participate in this new event in the Eastern Cape.

Endurance horse riding is all about a horse and rider combination completing a technical course over a long distance, vetting out at several vet checks along the way within a specified time.

At this particular event, horses and riders completed either the 40km or 80km course, which started at Emerald Valley and passed through four different farms...

Read more here:
https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/local/komani-karoo/smaldeel-club-enjoys-first-endurance-ride-in-gqeberha-20220511

Paramedic sets off on 1,000-mile hack around Scotland to raise money for charity

Yourhorse.co.uk - Full Article

7 May 2022
by Mel Beale

A paramedic has pledged to ride 1,000 miles around the Scottish Highlands in three months in a bid to raise £1,000 for The Ambulance Staff Charity.

This Sunday (8 May), 48-year-old Claire Alldritt will saddle up two horses and set off on the mammoth trek.

“It’s an ambition that I’ve had for quite a long time, but haven’t had the opportunity to do it before,” said Claire.

“I wanted to try and complete the Hack 1,000 Miles challenge last year, but with work commitments and everything else, I only did about 800. So I thought I just need to do it all in one go.”

Claire was also spurred on by the loss of her friend.

“It made me realise that life is too short, and I should just take the opportunity to do it right now...”

Read more here:
https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/hacking/claire-alldritt/

ILDRA raises funds for Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland

Farmweek.com - Full Article

By Bree Rutledge
May 6, 2022

ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) headed to the West of the province to County Fermanagh on Sunday, April 10 to Florence Court Estate. Dry weather made for enjoyable riding conditions, with riders taking in the varied trails in Florence Court. Riders made their way towards Cuilcagh Mountain, enjoying scenic views across the Fermanagh countryside. Thanks go to Kirsten Conly and John Anderson for marking the route and to the Conly family for organising the ride on the day. Thanks also go to the National Trust for allowing access to Florence Court Estate.

ILDRA’s next ride then headed to Clandeboye Estate on Saturday, April 23, hosting a charity pleasure ride in aid of Huntington’s Disease Association Northern Ireland to help raise funds for this well-deserving organisation...

Read more here:
https://farmweek.com/ildra-raises-funds-for-huntingtons-disease-association-northern-ireland/

Australia: Easter endurance event a winner

NoosaToday.com.au - Article & Photos

02/05/22
Erle Levey

Perfect conditions greeted more than 300 riders at the annual Easter at Stirlings Crossing endurance event.

It followed frantic efforts by the Stirlings Crossing Endurance Club members and HQ Plantations to get the courses ready after the recent flooding damaged so many of the tracks.

“Entries were good for the three days,’’ endurance club president Kim Moir said, “with options to suit everyone.’

“The events were marked by wonderful weather, good vetting, and riders looking after their horses which resulted in fantastic completion rates.

“Most of the tracks had been affected by the heavy rainfall which saw a lot of top soil and gravel washed away.

“The riders obviously managed it very well and were riding with care...’’

More at:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/02-05-2022/easter-endurance-event-a-winner/

Jose Luis Flores, the first Mexican rider to take part in the Tom Quilty Cup in Australia, hopes to improve his ranking

PrudentPressAgency.com - Full Article

April 29, 2022
Posted By: Dawn Davis

Jockey Luis Flores: He is the first Mexican to participate in the prestigious competition Tom Quilty Cup, In Australia, considered one of the two most demanding in the world, he spoke with ESTO to announce the challenges and expectations he will have to face, in this equestrian endurance competition, on 9 July.

He said in an interview (via Zoom).

Joseph Lewis flowers His career has been on the rise since 2018 as he represented our country, where he was also the first to participate in United States Tevis Cup (160 km) where he clocked 20:45 hours, to put himself in 28th place out of 200 participants.

In 2019 crowned Mexico National Champion In the 80 km class. Also in 2019, he took the Team Silver Medal at the North American Endurance Championships, 80km class, in Brookston, USA; And a gold medal as a team leader in the 120 km category...

Read more at:
https://www.prudentpressagency.com/jose-luis-flores-the-first-mexican-rider-to-take-part-in-the-tom-quilty-cup-in-australia-hopes-to-improve-his-ranking/

Journey to the Mongol Derby: The Longest and Toughest Horse Race in the World

ThePlaidHorse.com - Full Article

April 28, 2022
BY BIANCA FARMAS-GRIFFITH

Part One: Mongolian Horses & Mongol Derby 101

In Fall 2018 and on the cusp of turning 30, I woke up one day with an intense desire and determination to participate in a race that I had long known about, but previously wanted nothing to do with. In December 2018, two months after submitting my application and completing my interview, I was accepted to participate in the 2020 Mongol Derby.

The Mongol Derby is a self-navigated, point-to-point endurance race based on Chinggis Khaan’s ancient Mongolian postal system from 1224. Using strong and resilient riders and horses, Khaan’s vast network of horse stations across his empire made it possible for important messages to travel around 2,500 miles in just a few days. In 2009, The Equestrianists, a group striving to change peoples’ perspectives and “make the world less boring”, recreated this postal system, and thus began the annual Mongol Derby.

Every Summer, a group of ~40 brave riders take on the challenge of a lifetime: riding 1,000 km (roughly 620 miles) across the Mongolian Steppe in 10-days, with stops every ~25 miles to check in and change horses. Riding time each day averages around 12 hours, with strict start and stop times to ensure rider and equine safety. The route (which changes every year), pace, and adventure in between these stops are up to the rider. Sounds fun! What’s the catch?...

Read more here:
https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2022/04/28/journey-to-the-mongol-derby-the-longest-and-toughest-horse-race-in-the-world/