Endurance GB March April 2019

Endurance OFFICIAL MEMBERS PUBLICATION FOR ENDURANCE GB

VOLUME 16 ISSUE â„–2

MARCH/APRIL 2019

FIT FOR THE

SEASON?

LOOKING AT INCREASING HORSE AND RIDER FITNESS MASTERING MONTCUQ WWW.ENDURANCEGB.CO.UK

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TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAINING

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ENDURANCE IN WALES

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CONTENTS Future Focus Spotlight in Wales P04 Endurance GB Chair P18 Esther Young tells us Rebecca Kinnarney looks at what about endurance in Wales the season offers

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News Press Officer for Endurance GB, sponsorship opportunity, packaging updates New Army P08 endurance team Army riders are coming together with sights set on the Championships

Horse Health P09 Facts about encysted small redworm by Diane Gilby

Travel P20 Endurance riding in India from Anne Booth Training P22 Fran James discusses fitness and how to monitor it

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Rider Fitness A guide to biomechanics by Georgina Bull

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Technology P30 A look at technology and what riders find useful

Longevity in P10 Endurance SERC Barbara Austin recounts the story of P32 Alison Wilson reports her mare, Bonnie Lass from the SERC AGM King's Forest Mastering Montcuq P11 Diane Luke looks back P34 Georgina Hirst over the past 25 years celebrates her successful completion Feeding P12 Nutrition advice for energy and performance

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Management P38 Board directors roles, visions and ethos

Research Findings Groups P14 Reducing inflammatory P40 News and ride previews airway disease from Haygain from Derbyshire and South East Young Riders P16 Training and essential skills for the 2019 season

Photo Competition P41 Winner of the Jan/Feb Competition announced!

EDITOR’S COMMENT

W

ith the season getting started, many riders have been out for their first competitions of the year, and what mixed weather they have faced! From blue skies and sunshine, to howling winds and near blizzards! However, weather won't stop an endurance rider!

Discomfort for horse or rider, however, can indeed stop an endurance rider, both physically and mentally, so in this issue we have articles to help and encourage you to look at the fitness of both your horse and yourself, to assess how you may improve, strengthen and increase performance

for whatever distance you wish to ride.

Within Endurance GB we are fortunate to have many experienced and well qualified experts who are happy to share knowledge with all, in order to improve the welfare of our horses and riders, encouraging them to be the best that they can be as equestrian athletes. Make the most of what they can offer.

The start of this season has also seen restrictions due to the flu virus that has been circulating, and Endurance GB has introduced protocols regarding vaccination for horses attending events. Make sure you have checked

your paperwork, and protected your horse; it is devastating to arrive at and event and not be allowed to compete, just because of an error in paperwork, it is even more devastating to have a sick horse.

There is plenty to look forward to in 2019, the iconic Golden Horseshoe ride in Exford in May and the European Championships at Euston in August, let's hope we all have a great season and achieve our aims this year.

Cindy Russell Editor of Endurance

See you on the trail!

Cindy

Endurance March/April 2019

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Endurance OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Endurance GB Office, Abbey Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RP t: 02476 697929 f: 02476 418429

FUTURE FOCUS DEAR MEMBERS

So, the season has got off to a flying start with many of our early rides filling up very quickly. I’d like to begin by thanking all of our members and, in particular, all of our ride organisers and volunteers who have dealt so admirably with the curve ball thrown at us by the equine influenza outbreak and the measures we have had to put in place as a result. This has not been an easy situation and the Board and I are incredibly grateful for everyone’s cooperation.

As I write this, The Golden Horseshoe ride has just opened for entries and, no doubt, many of you will be climbing any hill you can with your horses in preparation for what is always a fantastic ride.

Come rain, snow, wind, fog, maybe even sun – and that’s just in the first hour – nothing can dampen the spirit of the ride. It’s one to get to, even if you’re not riding. Volunteers are always needed and the atmosphere is great.

Before that, though, we have our first FEI ride of the season – the first of this year’s 2 King’s Forest rides. King’s celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and huge thanks to Di Luke and her team for putting on such enjoyable, successful events over all that time. You can read more in the magazine about King’s from those who have been part of it. A fitting tribute to another of our iconic rides.

We’re very excited, too, to be working with lots

of new sponsors and supporters this year. Kerry Dawson and her team have been working very hard and will be announcing further details soon.

Look out for exciting news about our Southern, Northern and new Welsh Championships.

On another note, as you know, we are affiliated to the BEF and as such, I have been putting our voice, the voice of Endurance GB, forward at every opportunity both with regard to our national and international events and riders. It is vital that we have cross-communication between disciplines and these meetings provide the opportunity to do just that.

As ever, I’d like to thank every member of the Board for the hard work they are putting into the society, and to every volunteer, be it on committees, Group committees, at rides. You are what make us great and without you, there would be no Endurance GB.

PUBLISHER Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Unit C, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Kettering, Northants, NN16 9QJ t: 01536 527297 f: 01536 527294 e: info@matrixprint.com DESIGNER Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Sacha Robinson-Forster BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Catherine Baldock t: 01536 527 297 e: catherineb@matrixprint.com DEADLINES Copy Dates to Editor for future issues of Endurance: May/June 22nd April July/August 22nd June If you wish to advertise in the May/June 2019 issue, artwork deadline is 13th May. The views and opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the editor, Matrix Print Consultants Ltd or Endurance GB. Endurance magazine is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reproduced wholly or in part without the permission of Endurance GB and/ or Matrix Print Consultants Ltd.

Rebecca Kinnarney

Chair of Endurance GB

ISSN 2516-2349

Endurance GB Board of Directors

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Chair Rebecca Kinnarney Tel: 07801 868481 Email: rebeccakinnarney@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES - at the AGM 2020

International Director John Robertson Tel 07801 686959 Email: johnrobertson@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES – at the AGM 2019

Vice Chair and Finance Director Sue Box Tel: 07867 512673 Email: suebox@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES - at the AGM 2021

Operations Director Esther Young Tel: 07454 929919 Email: estheryoung@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES – at the AGM 2019

Company Secretary and Governance Director Ann Dark Tel: 01380 818223 Email: anndark@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES – at the AGM 2020

Training and Development Director Alex Tennant Tel: 07871 310221 Email: alextennant@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES - at the AGM 2021

endurancegb.co.uk

Groups and Volunteering Director Rosemary Henderson Tel: 07894 477049 Email: rosemaryhenderson@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES - at the AGM 2021 Communications Director Kerry Dawson Tel: 07818 283144 Email: kerrydawson@ endurancegb.co.uk RETIRES - at the AGM 2021 SERC Representation Constance Newbould Tel: 07973 726001 Email: constance newbould@ endurancegb.co.uk

Directors of Endurance GB are volunteers, so please be patient and considerate with any queries. Most Directors also work full time elsewhere and so are not always available for calls during working hours.

No calls before 9am or after 9pm please.

COVER PHOTO Barbara Austin with Bonnie Lass at the Eildon Hills ride in 2018.

Photo courtesy John Austin

Follow us on Social Media TWITTER @ENDURANCEGB FACEBOOK @ENDURANCEGB INSTAGRAM @ENDURANCEGBINSTA

ABBI TENNANT C H O O S E S N A F F I V E S TA R

FOR EXTRA PERFORMANCE THIS SEASON CLEARWAY TO PERFORMANCE Essential when respiratory stresses can limit performance FEED FIVE STAR RESPIRATOR BOOST •

To clear the way for optimum lung function

•

For seasonal respiratory irritants

•

When a pre-existing condition dictates

GO, GO, GO!

Essential for the support of the health and efficiency of red blood cells and energy metabolism FEED ENERG • When energy levels are low • When peak performance is required • To support the hard working equine

COOL THEM DOWN COOLING WASH • Cool down, relax and refresh • For a no rinse body wash • Lift sweat and dirt with ease

BELIEVE IN MAGIC

Essential when a calm and concentrated outlook is needed FEED FIVE STAR MAGIC FOR A NEW PROVEN TRAINABILITY

FLEXIBILITY FOR LIFE

Essential for continual wear and tear occurring daily, give them flexibility for life.

FEED FIVE STAR SUPERFLEX

• Calm, concentrated and confident

• When pre-existing joint conditions are evident

• Trainability

• Support flexibility for life

• No sedative effect

• Care for working joints

ICE COOL GEL • After hard work as cool therapy • To help tighten and soothe tired legs • To help eliminate any potential filling of the lower limbs

ICE COOL • After hard work as cool therapy • To help reduce body and muscle temperature • When ridden on ground with extreme concussive forces

• Supporting stress responses

Contact NAF using our

FREE Nutritional Advice Line

Call 0800 373 106 or email info@naf-uk.com

naf-equine.eu/uk

ESSENTIALS

ENDURANCE

NEWS NEDZ PACKAGING STATEMENT

It has recently come to the attention of Nedz that there are some bales of bedding circulating within the UK, that are using our packaging but are not containing our product. These bags have not been authorised by ourselves, nor has any company been given permission to use our packaging to sell their bedding in.

We want to assure our customers and retailers that the issue is currently being dealt with and Trading Standards have been informed about this incident.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

ENDURANCE GB APPOINTS PRESS OFFICER

Former Horse & Hound journalist, Elizabeth Peplow, has been appointed Endurance GB press officer to cover the sport in England and Wales. She succeeds PR agency Gung Ho. A newspaper journalist, Elizabeth Peplow started as Endurance Editor for Horse & Hound in 1993 before succeeding the magazine’s endurance correspondent Marcy Pavord in reporting on the sport nationally and internationally over two decades as a staff and then freelance reporter.

Elizabeth Peplow said: “Having covered endurance in Britain since the early 1990s and been privileged to witness some great moments in the sport and to see some of the best British horse and rider partnerships in action, I feel honoured to be able to take on this role.

Endurance in this country has always epitomised what is special about the bond between horse and rider and its accessibility, enabling competitors to access the sport and achieve personal goals and high standards of horsemanship at every level, is key to its appeal.

“We are keen to raise awareness of the sport regionally and also to highlight Endurance GB’s work in bringing the sport to new riders through its work with organisations such as the RDA, The Pony Club and others, and I look forward to helping share some fantastic stories about a sport and community cherished by so many brilliant and dedicated riders, crews, supporters and volunteers.”

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Zilco Europe Ltd are looking for a Brand Ambassador to help promote their Endurance range for the up coming season, to include social media promotion and the creation of social media content.

They are looking for a Brand Ambassador who meets the following criteria: • Over the age of 18 • Out competing regularly in Endurance and must be competing Nationally and on the European circuit • Must be able to speak good English as the required social media content will need to be in English and your native language if you wish to. Have a good facebook/social media following In return the Brand Ambassador will be provided with a Branded Zilco Ambassador Kit for you and your horse along with other benefits and additional promotion across Zilco Europe’s social media pages.

If you would be interesting in becoming a Zilco Brand Ambassador and you meet the criteria above please email Zilco at sales@zilcoeurope.com with approx.

200 words on why you would be a good brand ambassador for Zilco and a picture of you and your horse/pony.

VEGAN TACK

We all know where leather comes from, but no one likes to talk about it. Many of us struggle with the customary daily use of leather tack and apparel. With that internal battle in mind, Robert Dover was inspired to jump-start a change in the industry and develop an animal-friendly product line that still looks the part of the stylish equestrian.

Leather has long been a mainstay in equestrian life. A staple and reliable material for our many equipment needs, due to its durability and longevity, it might seem impossible for an industry so rooted in tradition to

evolve beyond the use of this animal by-product.

Inspired by the revolutionary ecoand animal-friendly car company, Tesla, which uses only vegan leather in their interiors, Dover and Ross are starting a revolution in the equestrian tack and apparel industries with the launch of ROBERT-SQUARED. Not only will ROBERT-SQUARED feature the highest quality saddles and bridles, the line will also feature boots, gloves, and belts for riders. And don’t worry, they didn’t forget about our canine companions either, as they can be outfitted with animal-friendly collars and leashes, too.

CORRECTION Due to a printing error the venue for Phoenix was incorrectly displayed in the handbook.

It should read, as per the website:

PHOENIX - SUNDAY 28TH JULY 2019

WWW.ENDURANCEGB. CO.UK/MAIN/PHOENIX OPENING DATE Monday 27 May 2019 CLOSING DATE Monday 15 July 2019 ORGANISER John and Jane Hudson ORGANISER PHONE 01398 332089 / 07779 797170 ORGANISER EMAIL john. hudson@ludomino.co.uk ENTRIES TO Mrs Jane Hudson, Springdale, Cove, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7RT

HELPING TO FEED REDWINGS’ SENIORS THIS WINTER

SPILLERS® has donated £3,038 to Redwings Horse Sanctuary to help them feed their senior horses and ponies over the winter. They made the generous gift by contributing 30p for every promotional bag of their new SPILLERS® Senior Complete Care Mix, SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash and SPILLERS® Supple + Senior Balancer sold during the launch period of the new products at the end of last year.

Nicola Jarvis, Head Vet at Redwings Horse Sanctuary said: “This lovely donation is the whopping equivalent of 250 bags of SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash.

Redwings has more than 500 oldies in residence at the moment, many of which are facing challenges such as failing dentition, PPID, laminitis or loss of condition and muscle.

These extra funds will help us to give them the complete care they need this winter.

Thank you SPILLERS®!”

HORSE SPORT PREPARES FOR BREXIT

Although the outcomes of Parliamentary negotiations surrounding Brexit remain uncertain, the horse world has been working closely together to understand the implications for horse owners when the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019.

Leaders from a number of organisations from horse sport, racing, vets, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) have been developing plans for what needs to be done in case the UK leaves with no deal.

The chief concern for horse owners will be transportation British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Chief Executive Nick Fellows says; “The terms of the UK’s departure from the EU have not yet been confirmed but, given the serious implications for equestrian sport, we have been working closely with the relevant authorities.

As soon as the situation becomes clearer the BEF will inform its members so that horse owners will be aware of actions they may need to take.”

ENTRIES PHONE 01398 332089 / 07779 797170 ENTRIES EMAIL john.hudson@ludomino.co.uk LOCATION Treborough Common, Treborough, Nr Wheddon Cross Somerset POSTCODE TA23 0LQ RIDE DESCRIPTION Varied terrain over open hills, farmland and forest tracks with two loops for the longer distances. Beautiful views with good going.

Gates will be tied open or stewarded wherever possible. Less than 10% roadwork on each loop.

CLASSES 1. 65km GER 2. 42km GER 3. 42km Novice GER 4. 34km GER 5. 34km Novice GER 6. 34km PR 7. 16km PR

Natural Supplements for Animals

HEALTHIER HORSES – ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING

Leading supplement manufacturer, Hilton Herbs, announces a move from plastic tubs into eco-friendly bags.

From 11th February 2019 all of Hilton Herbs’ equine dry feed supplements will be supplied in Kraft paper bags thus dramatically reducing the company’s plastic consumption, recently estimated at around nine tonnes per year.

The new bags offer the following benefits: • The same effective formulations in Kraft paper bags • Colourful label and bag design • Pictorial instructions for use • Single 1kg pack size with multi-pack discount Heather Giles, Marketing Manager for Hilton Herbs, commented “This move has been precipitated by pressure from our customers and from the worldwide drive to reduce plastic consumption. It took extensive research to find the right packaging, but we are really pleased with the results – and we’re sure our customers will be pleased too!”

Endurance March/April 2019

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army endurance

NEW ARMY ENDURANCE TEAM SETS SIGHTS ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Army riders are coming together with the aim of forming a team to compete at this year’s Riding Club Endurance Championships at the British Horse Feeds’ British Riding Clubs Endurance Team event.

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he team is the brainchild of Major Shelley Bates, currently based in Glasgow (but soon to move to Aldershot), herself an Advanced endurance rider on Maggie Pattinson’s horse Sadhira, who is hoping to make the step up to FEI this year. Shelley first conceived the idea after talking to Army friends and colleagues who ride and had expressed an interest in the sport, but don’t own their own horses.

In a bid to find the emerging Army team some horse power, she floated the idea on Facebook and was amazed at the response. She said: “Due to the nature of the job there are very few with their own horses and those that do tend to be showjumping or eventing orientated.

Therefore, I thought I would see if there was anyone out there who would consider taking an Army rider under their wing and lending them a horse to take part in up to three rides - two qualifiers and the Riding Club Championship Final - hopefully!” Since posting her request, Shelley has been inundated with offers of help not only from riders offering horses but also with training from endurance supporters based near to military barracks. Taking part in the Riding Club Championships involves two qualifying rides of between 30-40km before the final, taking place over 32km at the showpiece Red Dragon Ride in October.

Although military working horses would be more than fit enough for the challenge, Shelley explained that they

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Major Shelly Bates dreams of FEI and has been overwhelmed at the response to the new Army endurance team.

‘As so many people say this is what Endurance is about to me... teamwork.’

are in such demand for other competitive sports outside their working schedule that she decided to approach the endurance community itself for help.

She said: “I posted the idea of borrowing horses just to gauge whether there is any interest in helping or whether I needed to go back to the drawing board and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people. I really didn’t think there would be so many offering to help by loaning the Army riders their precious horses.” Riders will have to be serving regular or reserve soldiers or officers to be part of the Army team.

Shelley said: “I will look to match riders up with locations where horses are being offered. Owners can be involved as much or as little as they like in helping the team. I was initially hoping just to get four team riders but now, perhaps there will be more! As so many people say this is what Endurance is about to me...teamwork.”

John Hudson, Endurance GB organiser of the British Horse Feeds’ Red Dragon Festival of Endurance, said: “It is wonderful that the endurance community has rallied to support Army riders participating in the sport and bidding for a place at the Riding Club finals. It goes without saying that endurance as a sport with both technical and fitness challenges should appeal to Army riders. This is a competition pitched to bring the best teams from over six months of qualifiers to one of the most spectacular and exhilarating endurance rides in the calendar and we wish the Army team all the best in getting there.”

Qualifiers for the British Horse Feeds' BRC Endurance Team Event are held across the country from March to September, with the Final taking place on Sunday 6th October 2019 at the British Horse Feeds’ Red Dragon Festival of Endurance.

horse health

TREATING FOR ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM Horse owners are being urged by veterinary experts to treat now for encysted small redworm but what are they, why the urgency and what is the truth in the information that we read?

Article by Diane Gilby, Double Award Winning RSQP, Founder of Intelligent Worming and the ScientifEQ laboratory

FACT - THEY CANNOT BE DETECTED IN FAECAL EGG COUNT TESTS

HOWEVER it is not a separate worm, it is part of the small redworm lifecycle so if you have had clear results for over two years the likelihood that your horse has encysted small redworm is remote.

If you have been sampling for less that two years then you still need to treat for this stage of the life cycle as it can remain undetected for up to two years.

FACT - EQUEST, EQUEST PRAMOX AND A 5 DAY COURSE OF PANACUR EQUINE GUARD ARE THE ONLY WORMERS THAT TREAT ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM

HOWEVER they only kill the larvae that they come into contact with, they will not kill all of the worms that are encysted or inside your horse. Do not falsely believe that if you have wormed for this stage or given any single wormer that your horse will not have worms.

burdens than the alternative and, by using a faecal egg count 14 days after application, its effectiveness can be assessed. This is a great wormer at this time if used responsibly.

TERMS EXPLAINED;

ENCYSTED The larvae in the horse take a break from their journey to becoming egg laying adults in the gut and hibernate for up to two years.

EMERGENCE In this context the encysted worms above wake up and continue their life cycle. If a large quantity do this together there is not enough room inside the horse for them all to move about and a colic is caused.

RESISTANCE Where 95% of the worms are not killed by the wormer.

FACT - HIGH LEVEL OF ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM IF LEFT UNTREATED MAY CAUSE A FATAL COLIC

From top to bottom: Tapeworm eggs.

Large strongyles.

Cyathostomes (small redworm).

Results you can rely on... for fast, affordable faecal egg counts and parasite diagnostic testing

The reason you need to worm is because even if the wormer doesn’t kill all of the larvae it usually kills enough to prevent a fatal colic which is usually the outcome if the wormers are not given.

Why faecal egg count?

1. Find out what worm activity your horse has.

2. Find out if the wormers you are using are working

FACT - THIS YEAR THE RISK IS EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH DUE TO THE MILD WINTER AND EARLY SPRING. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THIS.

Still Why?

1. Worms cause permanent damage which can never be reversed.

2. It is invisible until it is too late and could be affecting performance right now!

3. Can you afford to waste money feeding more than you need to or on a wormer that may not be working?

The timing of the encysted emergence of hibernating larvae into active worms is going to coincide with higher than normal levels of worm activity in the pasture. This is putting all horses onto red alert as there will be much more risk of a colic than usual so please worm now rather than delay.

FACT - THERE IS RESISTANCE TO THE 5 DAY PANACUR EQUINE GUARD

• Endurance and athletic performance specialist advisors • Yard schemes from £4.50 per sample

HOWEVER this wormer is less likely to cause colic in horses with high worm

Don’t be left in the dark... order your collection kit now Endurance March/April 2019

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Call us 01267 223322 www.scientifeq.co.uk

longevity in endurance

ACHIEVING 5422 KILOMETRES Barbara Austin recounts the story of Bonnie Lass

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he Branch Annual Meeting (BAM) for Northumberland and Tyneside group was an emotional evening for me, as in August last year I had lost my mare Bonnie Lass . At the BAM I was presented with a special Rosette with Bonnie's final mileage total on it, 5422 kilometres, wow what an incredible

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journey we have had.

We had started in Endurance in 2006 with a handful of pleasure rides and soon became hooked. So the following year I decided to try some competitive rides.

Bonnie was not your typical endurance horse, being Welsh Cob cross, but that did not deter her. We progressed

Barbara and Bonnie Lass at the Hexhamshire Ride, 2017 Photograph courtesy of John Austin.

from Novice to Open Level, mainly at the lower distances, 30k and 40k rides, but we also did a handful of 50k rides as well.

Living in Northumberland most of our rides were done in the northern part of the England and southern Scotland. The terrain can be challenging at times, but the countryside is incredible. It could be described as true Endurance country.

Most years we managed in the region of 10 competitive rides and a handful of pleasure rides; gradually over the years the mileage crept up.

In 2012, our season was cut short when Bonnie went lame. However, with careful management she was ready and raring to go again the following season.

Five years on and still competing, but I still had 2 goals: I was desperate to reach 3200 competitive kilometres and 5000 kilometres in all rides.

A successful ride at the Cumbria Challenge in 2017 saw us achieve our first goal. After a rather stressful time at the final vetting, when the vet made us trot up three times, Bonnie was passed sound. At the end of the year we reached our second goal when we completed the 5000 kilometres for all types of rides.

We may only have been competing at lower distances, but we have had the most amazing time over the years, picking up 9 Best Condition awards along the way and frequently being awarded ribbons and trophies at the end of season BAM. I am so proud of everything that Bonnie Lass has achieved.

The plan for 2018 was to only do a handful of rides, but Bonnie had other ideas and felt better than ever.

In June we competed just over the border, at Selkirk. This was to be her last ride. Unfortunately a short time after the ride she went lame and X-rays showed that her front fetlock joint had collapsed.

Bonnie was truly one in a million.

She was well known at rides in the Northern part of the country, she had the most amazing temperament and was so honest. She has left a big hole in my life but has left me with some wonderful memories. We have had some wonderful rides through beautiful countryside and made lots of friends along the way, this for me is what Endurance is all about.

kings forest

THE KINGS FOREST 25TH ANNIVERSARY So where have the past 25 years gone and is it really possible that King’s has been running for that length of time?

Organiser, Dianne Luke, looks back over the years

I

certainly didn’t think in 1994 that I’d still find myself running this ride today; yet over the years despite the hard work so much fun has been had and so many true friendships have been formed.

In the early years Kings alternated each year, one year for BERA and the next for EHPS. The venue has changed over the years, there have been three different locations at Meadow Farm, one at Wideham and 2 at Wordwell, all enjoying easy access into Kings and the glorious tracks that the forest offers.

The ride started as most do, offering a 32km route (or in old money a 20 mile course). The first ride was marked with tape hung on branches, red for right blue for left and white for straight on and a lengthy talk round was supplied. Gaining in confidence, the ride began to grow in distance; a 30 mile/ Bronze Buckle Final was added and the following year a Silver Stirrup qualifier and I was in awe of the riders who competed at this distance!

Year by year extra loops were added but rides were always of a graded nature until a phone call came from Stevie Martin. She had seen I was offering 100km class and asked if I was willing to make this into a race ride for a team selection. I agreed to do this and then received a phone call from California from a competitor who

intended to fly her horse to the UK to take part (Dominique Freeman), with a hundred and one questions, just what had I agreed to take on? I was determined to dot every i and cross every t and make sure it ran like clockwork and it did, with a wonderful team spirited finish.

Race riding now became an annual fixture and the natural progression was to move towards FEI. At this time the Endurance GB ride I ran at Harling Drove had out grown its venue and so that moved to Kings and became Kings Spring (celebrating its 15th year 2019). With my husband, Paul, and I both working full time, putting on this ride would not have been possible without Karen Collier, who willingly left home for several weeks to route mark, accept and change last minute entries and help throughout the ride weekend, the ultimate unsung hero. One such example being the snow ride. While most of the country was covered in snow East Anglia was still fine, that was of course before the vetting. With 4 loops spray painted on the ground we hadn’t factored in 6 inches of snow falling over night. Plan B kicked into play at around 6.30am when not an arrow was to be seen, do we cancel and disappoint the 40 out of an original 120 entries or do we carry on? Karen, armed with boxes of blue

Top left: Janet Harber with Hawkswood Sahibi compeing in 1994 (Eric Jones).

Top right: Ladies across the line!

Bottom: The year of the snow!

paint and chauffeured by the farmers son, set off to mark a 32km loop, plans were changed somewhat but we were still able to continue with the 2* event. Not on drop of water was used that day, unlike the summer ride which hosted the National and inter regional Championships and was the hottest day of the year.

None of this either would have been possible without the help of Iceni members and in particular members of Anglia Distance Riders and support of good friends and my family. Frances and Linda who not only help throughout the weekend but for weeks leading up to the ride assisting with photocopying, licking and sticking (riders details) and dealing with phone calls. Fiona who has competed all seven of her horses at Kings over a variety of distances and has also vetted at the event over the past ten years. Jono who was initiated two years ago as crew and then last year constructed the timing structure and cooked an amazing BBQ for all competitors on Saturday evening. Greg who has absolutely no interest in horses but has a brilliant understanding of the forest and routes has taken annual leave to help mark and set up the venue and Paul ……………. words simply fail me as to the support he has given for a quarter of a century.

Endurance March/April 2019

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feeding

FEEDING FOR STAMINA Together with a training programme that maximises fitness levels, correct feeding is of paramount importance to enable each horse to train, compete and recover successfully.

Joanna Palmer, Nutritionist for Allen & Page advises on the best nutrition for energy and performance.

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nlike sprinters who require short sharp bursts of energy, our endurance horses need predominately slow release, stamina giving energy to fuel their long distance exercise and this should be reflected in the diets we feed them. Horses obtain energy from three main dietary constituents, namely fibre, glucose (from starch) and oil. This energy is then stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles and elsewhere in the body as fat.

Fibre and oil are good sources of slow release energy, whereas cereals including barley, oats and maize contain high starch levels which provide fast release energy. It is well recognised that fast release energy can have a negative effect on some horses’ behaviour, causing them to become over-reactive, sharp and excitable. None of these are desirable attributes for an endurance horse where control and focus during training and competition are vital for success. Slow release energy is much less likely to have this type of effect on behaviour.

Whatever your horse’s level of work, fibre should always form the majority of his diet. Forage should ideally be offered on free access basis to allow the horse to ‘trickle feed’ and mimic his natural grazing and chewing behaviours. This essential fibre is not only vital for digestive health and

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as a source of slow release energy, it also holds a reservoir of water within the hind gut, helping to maintain good levels of hydration. This water and the electrolytes contained within it are crucial for health and performance.

However, whatever their level of work, endurance horses cannot rely on forage alone to meet their energy needs and require a suitable bucket feed to provide additional nutrition and an energy level to match their requirements. An endurance horse’s need for high fibre, low starch nutrition as is provided by ad lib forage, should be reflected in the choice of bucket feed too.

A high calorie bucket feed that utilises fibre and oil as the main energy sources is the most beneficial to meet the slow release energy demands of endurance horses. Fibre is digested in the hind gut, where millions of bacteria ferment it into volatile fatty acids (VFAs) which are used by the horse’s body as a source of energy in the presence of oxygen. This aerobic metabolism is how endurance horses gain the majority of their energy, unlike racehorses who predominately work at a higher intensity and need to rely on anaerobic metabolism of glycogen to meet their energy needs. The slow process of fibre digestion means that VFAs continue to be absorbed long after fibre is eaten; this resulting

Forage should ideally be offered on free access basis to allow the horse to ‘trickle feed’ and mimic his natural grazing and chewing behaviours.

‘It is well recognised that fast release energy can have a negative effect on some horses’ behaviour’

energy is then available to the horse for a long period of time during exercise.

Some fibrous ingredients are termed ‘super fibres’, this means they provide much higher levels of energy than forage and are particularly useful in the diets of endurance horses. Sugar beet pulp is one such ‘super fibre’ that is commonly used in feeds designed to provide slow release energy. A feed that incorporates sugar beet will require soaking before feeding which is highly beneficial in increasing an endurance horse’s water intake, both at home and out competing.

Feeds that are high in oil are more energy dense that traditional cereal based feeds. In fact oils contain nearly 2.5 times as much energy as the equal weight of carbohydrates, meaning they are an essential part of diets for performance horses, helping to maximise energy intake without over-feeding.

Horses digest oil really well and when performing aerobically, endurance horses will use up their fat stores as the first energy source, meaning stores of glycogen in the muscles remain available for anaerobic metabolism should a sprint finish be required!

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research findings

REDUCING INFLAMMATORY AIRWAY DISEASE A landmark study has found that feeding Haygain steamed hay reduces the odds of Inflammatory Airway Disease by 65% Report from Dr Dauvillier and Dr van Erck-Westergren

T

he breakthrough research, conducted by Dr Dauvillier and Dr van Erck-Westergren, found that horses with fungal elements in their airways have a 2.1 times greater chance of having Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) than horses with no fungi presence.

IAD affects huge numbers of horses and often goes undetected while also impacting their performance. The latest research by Dauvillier et al, published by The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine ( JVIM) was carried out over a 3 year period with more than 700 horses being assessed, revealing that feeding Haygain steamed hay reduced the chance of

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horses developing IAD by 65%. It also found that horses fed dry hay had a 2.6 times increased chance of having fungi in the airways and that the degree of lower airway inflammation was significantly higher when horses were housed indoors and bedded on straw.

This work is the first to demonstrate a direct link between finding fungi in the airways, diagnosing IAD. The results indicate that fungal elements are commonly present in equine airways and that horses inhaling aerosolized fungal particles are at a significantly higher risk of having IAD. Horses with fungal elements on the tracheal wash cytology, are 2.1 times

Excess mucus within the airways on endoscopy is a key characteristic of IAD and should never be ignored.

All photos courtesy of HayGain.

more likely to develop IAD than horses with no fungi in their airways.

WHAT DOES A PRESENCE OF FUNGI IN THE AIRWAYS MEAN FOR THE HORSE?

A complaint of exercise intolerance was also more frequent in horses with tracheal wash fungal particles (23%) versus horses without. The presence of fungi in the airways is avoidable, meaning that IAD can be largely evaded with correct care and management, Haygain steamed hay playing the principal role in avoiding exposure to fungi.

This groundbreaking study found the degree of lower airway inflammation

research findings was significantly higher when horses were fed dry hay versus Haygain steamed hay. The study clearly identifies straw bedding and dry hay feeding as significant risks for IAD and for the presence of fungal elements in equine airways whereas Haygain steamed hay led to a reduction in the risk.

INFLAMMATORY AIRWAY DISEASE - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

The symptoms of IAD are nonspecific and can be subtle, which poses a diagnostic challenge and this study showed it is even more prevalent than we thought. A cough, poor performance and excess mucus within the airways on endoscopy are key characteristics of IAD and should never be ignored. This disease differs from cases of Severe Equine Asthma (COPD/heaves), in that affected horses typically do not show increased respiratory efforts at rest.

Most, but not all horses with IAD will develop a cough that lingers but have no fever. Affected horses may be training fine but don’t perform well in competition and take longer to recover normal breathing but otherwise, horses with IAD appear bright and maintain their usual appetite.

THE STUDY

Several studies have shown that more than 80% of horses have Inflammatory Airway Disease and in this latest study a diagnosis was established in 88% of the cases assessed by an ambulatory internal medicine practice in Europe.

The population of 731 horses was composed of 369 (50.5%) showjumpers, 87 (11.9%) dressage horses, 70 (9.6%) Thoroughbreds, 55 (7.5%) Standardbreds, 50 (6.8%) endurance horses, 35 (4.8%) eventers, and 65 (8.9%) leisure horses.

For each case, a clinical examination, an airway endoscopy, a tracheal wash (TW), and a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed. Data regarding the type of bedding (straw, wood shavings, and other) and forage (dry hay, moistened hay, damped hay, steamed hay, or haylage) were systematically collected.

more chance of having fungi in their TW and 2.7 times more chance of being diagnosed with IAD whereas horses fed with steamed hay had 65% reduced odds of being diagnosed with IAD. • The alternatives to dry hay other than steaming, such as wetting or soaking the hay, feeding haylage, or commercial “dust-free” hay all increased the risk of diagnosing IAD in this study.

• Soaking hay did not influence the finding of fungal elements in the TW; however, steaming hay in a Haygain decreased by 2-fold the risks of having fungal elements in the TW.

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE

“We are very excited with the publication of the paper,” says co-author Dr Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren.

“It’s the fruit of long years of research and we are really pleased with the outcome. Unlike papers that deal with small numbers of research horses, this paper reflects what happens in real conditions for our stables horses. It confirms what we have felt for years: rational management of the environment is paramount and in that perspective, Haygain hay steamers play an essential role. When we sample the airways, we can see what the horse actually breathes in in terms of particles and what response they trigger from the immune system. We relate what we see under the microscope to the symptoms we had in the horse but also to his environmental conditions.

Horses on dry hay inhale high amounts of small particles that go deep in the lungs, including active fungal particles whereas horses on steamed hay have much clearer samples.”

“The recent published paper by Dauvillier et al., (2018) has confirmed what we have known for a long time that steaming hay is best for horse respiratory health. We have proved many

Top: Steaming hay has prved best for horse respiratory health.

Below: Research authors, Dr Dauville and Dr van ErckWestergren.

times that high-temperature steaming reduces airborne respirable dust in hay by >90% and kills fungi and bacteria, while preserving nutrients, and it is great to finally have this in vivo data to support our work,” says Professor Meriel Moore-Colyer, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange at the Royal Agricultural University.

This study continually states that bedding on straw and feeding dry hay cannot be recommended for performance horses as they are significant risk factors for IAD. Soaking hay did not decrease the risk of IAD whereas the use of high-temperature hay steaming, in a Haygain, was the only effective way to prevent it.

The key findings were: • Horses with fungi in the tracheal wash (TW) cytology, are 2.1 times more likely to develop IAD than horses with no fungi.

• The degree of lower airway inflammation was significantly higher when horses were housed indoors and bedded on straw versus shavings or when fed dry hay versus steamed hay.

• Horses fed dry hay had 2.6 times

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young riders

JUNIOR AND YOUNG RIDER ANTICS 2019 Our Young Rider and Junior members have been very busy over the winter preparing for the 2019 season. We’ve caught up with a few of them to see what they’ve been up to…

Put together by the Young Rider Committee ARCHIE

At the beginning of the winter break, my Arab Louis moved up to Vet School with me, to start our first term. Since being here, we have really been focusing on our schooling, trying to build up topline particularly, through lateral work and pole exercises. Louis has come on so well, and looks a completely different horse to that which arrived here. It has been so exciting discovering new places to hack, even if we have skipped the odd lecture(s) to get out for a really long ride, and showing other people on the yard endurance paced hacks!!! As part of being on the Vet School yard, Louis has also been used for a range of practicals, which has made him a lot more confident around new people, and will hopefully make him more relaxed for vettings in the future.

CHLOÉ

Riley and I are pretty busy and we have lots of fun together whatever the weather. We have enjoyed Pony Club rallies, dressage, hunting, X-country, pony racing and are really looking forward to this season of endurance.

SOPHIE AND LISSIE

We both met at Young Rider camp in 2017 and became close friends after a bit of a disaster at Cranwell.

Where Sophie lives it is very flat and miles from any decent hills, compared to where I live, which is very hilly! I asked Sophie to come and help with pre-season training with my horses Prince, Oakley, Monty and Bentley.

Sophie said she had not seen a hill in months and had forgotten how to ride up a hill at speed! I am looking forward to go to stay with Sophie in the summer to help with her horses’ training.

GRAINNE

Training out with Amber on the woodland tracks gives me time to focus on

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what is important in my school and inspires my artwork, whilst also setting us up for the exciting competitive season ahead where I dream of achieving some of my goals this summer.

MEGAN

The months of the endurance break don’t mean rest for Tresmeake Bay (Daisy) and I because she hates being out of work. This winter has consisted of lessons, biomechanics sessions, jumping and dressage, alongside hacking. I like to ensure her work is varied and enjoyable.

The Young and Junior riders have had a busy time over the winter, schooling, hacking and enjoying thier horses.

Photos provided by YR committee.

young riders

PARTNERSHIP & HORSEMANSHIP SKILLS The Junior and Young Rider training day in February focused on essential skills for making progress in training for riders and horses Amanda Barton UKCC Level 2 Coach, reports New Forest. The children left in 3 small groups. In the meantime the unmounted participants went on a walk to practice their map reading and to check their averages speeds along the way at check points.

Everyone had a wonderful afternoon, in really warm and sunny weather for February, although some of the riders did go further than planned as they got lost when dog walkers cleared markers from an entire section of the route.

All in all it was a fantastic day and everyone went away with a big smile on their face. It was especially good to see so many children attend who are completely new to endurance and three of them have already signed up to another full day of endurance training.

Here is what a couple of the children had to say about the day:

Attendees at the Training day took part in a variety of activities.

Photos from A. Barton.

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children joined the Young Rider Training day held in Brockenhurst, New Forest, organised by Alex Tennant and Amanda Barton. 8 children brought their own horses and the rest were unmounted. The day was packed with a variety of activities, which included a session in the arena with Amanda to work on some gymnastics, polework exercises and rider balance in the saddle. Amy Reynolds, a partner from the Barn Equine Surgery (one of the vets at the Three Rivers Ride) ran a great session for the children all about vetting, heart rates and health while Terry-Ann Lyndon ran a map reading session for the unmounted participants.

In the last session before lunch Claire Pier, a Movement Analyst, showed the children some Pilates and Feldenkrais exercises to help them become more balanced in the saddle and they all left the session knowing exactly where their seatbones were.

After lunch the riders got ready to set off on a 15km ride in the

“There where lots of things I enjoyed about the day. For me it was a learning experience because I didn’t know much about the vetting involved with endurance and how vital it is. The actual ride in itself threw its own challenges - like navigating around the New Forest with only a map and trying not to get lost! The atmosphere was very relaxed in the morning and we were excited for the ride ahead.

The group I was riding with all found the app 'View Finder' very useful as it tells you where about you are and what direction to go in. Over all I really enjoyed the ride it was a lot of fun and I am really looking forward for the next one I do.” Tori “This was my first endurance ride and I had so much fun. I made new friends and improved my bond with my pony and her fitness too! The best bits were cantering along with the amazing forest scenery all around us and getting to talk to a vet about heartrate and horse health. I can’t wait for the next one!!”

Charlotte

Endurance March/April 2019

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spotlight on wales Forest is the largest Ancient Woodland in Wales, and is home to a stone circle and bronze age burial mounds. You really will be riding through centuries of history whilst admiring the spectacular views over the Severn estuary: the Wentwood trees were used to build HMS Victory and used to provide the supports for the WW1 trenches, and the woodland itself has seen hangings, riots and raves.

Supporting national and pleasure ride classes will also be on offer.

A NEW WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS AT PEN DDOL Y GADER

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WALES? Esther Young tells us why 2019 is an exciting year for Endurance Riding in Wales

THE RED DRAGON IS HOSTING THE HOME INTERNATIONAL

The British Horse Feeds Red Dragon Festival of Endurance is very proudly hosting the Home International this year. This established, popular and friendly competition pits teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales against each other. Teams are made up of combinations at all levels, from those taking on the ultimate challenge of 160km over the Welsh hills to first season novices.

Sitting alongside the Home International is the Celtic Challenge, which is also taking place at Red Dragon, and is made up of Celtic teams from Wales, Scotland and Ireland (and perhaps Cornwall this year?) competing for glory. Many of our successful international competitors cut their teeth on a Home International or Celtic Challenge team, and it is an extremely important part of our endurance calendar with national pride very much at stake. If you are interested in applying for one of the teams, please contact the relevant Chef d'Equipe:

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Top left: It's worth making the trip to Wales, to ride in such beautiful countryside.

Photo courtesy of Shelley Bates.

Top: The countryside to be experienced on the Red Dragon routes.

Photo courtesy of Kerry Dawson.

ENGLAND - Maggie Pattinson maggiepattinson@endurancegb.co.uk WALES - Steve Smith chefwales@endurancegb.co.uk SCOTLAND - Francisca Bakker francis.equinedentist@gmail.com IRELAND - David Cunningham davidcunningham@endurancegb.co.uk The British Riding Clubs Championship is once again being hosted at the British Horse Feeds Red Dragon Festival of Endurance. This hotly contested championship involves teams of 3 to 6 riding club members competing against each other over the 36km course. It provides a fantastic first step on the competitive ladder for new endurance riders. If you would like to find out more about registering a team, please contact Jane Hudson jane.e.hudson@hotmail.co.uk

WALES IS HOSTING AN FEI RIDE AT WENTWOOD

By popular request, Sue Box has agreed to hold an FEI 1* at her Wentwood in Summer ride, kindly supported

by HPower and Meydan. Wentwood

We already have a Northern Championship and a Southern Championship, so it was only right that we offer a Welsh Championship too.

And where better to hold it than at Pen Ddol Y Gader, the ride that received the best ride feedback in the UK in 2016 and 2018. Come and enjoy the fantastic cantering on Llanllwni Mountain, with views for miles and miles. You may even see red kites and skylarks.

The Welsh, Northern and Southern Championships are all generously sponsored by RiderCise for 2019.

SEVERAL NEW RIDES ON THE CALENDAR

There are several new pleasure and competitive rides on the calendar and we are also seeing the return of some old friends. Talybont and the Daffodil ride are offering competitive and pleasure ride classes, and the Cheshire group will be offering some social rides in North Wales. Keep an eye on our Endurance GB Facebook pages for more details.

THE WELSH POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP

At the Endurance GB annual awards dinner, several special trophies are given out for Welsh endurance rides.

These include: Coed Class- High Point Horse & Rider Combination counting rides up to 50km only Afon Class- High Point Young Rider and Horse Combination High Point Welsh Rider Mynydd Class- High Point Rider and Horse Combination

NEW FOR 2019:

We are launching a new ‘Tour de Britain’ award where riders can collect rewards for completing rides from each group in a region, and this has started as a pilot in Wales for 2019. Record cards will be available from the Endurance GB office - please contact enquiries@endurancegb.co.uk for more information

travel

‘Heat, dust, vegetarian food...I loved it!’

M

ENDURANCE RIDING IN INDIA How do you “do” India? A vast country with billions of people, big cities, ancient sites, palaces and temples, mountains, plains and deserts. One way is by looking through the curled ears of a Marwari horse as you ride through the farm lands and desert of Rajasthan in northern India with some sight-seeing and horse welfare thrown in.

Anne Booth tells a travellers tale

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y autumn treat in 2018 was a holiday with Horse India starting in Udaipur, riding to Jodhpur, riding on to the Horse and Camel fair at Pushkar and then on to Jaipur to finish.

We began with two nights in Delhi that happened to coincide with Diwali festival of lights. Indian families appear to like nothing more than fireworks that make a lot of noise. Such was the pollution in Delhi that the Government had limited the use of fireworks to a couple of hours a day.

Transport by tuk-tuk and rickshaw introduced the chaos that is life on Indian roads –traffic lights are advisory, driving on the left an aspiration for only the faint hearted, roundabouts an opportunity for the driver to test the nerves of his passengers as he heads into the onrushing traffic the wrong way!

We met up with some of our fellow riders at Delhi airport before meeting the rest at Udaipur, where we were greeted by our Horse India hosts, Dr Rao Ajeet Singh and Caroline Moorey.

Sight-seeing here is a must. The Lake Palace at sunset proved an early and stunning highlight, followed by dinner on an open roof top terrace overlooking the water.

A minibus, too small to accommodate us and all the luggage, took us to our first meeting with our real companions – the horses we were to ride for seven days. Lined up near our hotel we were allocated a horse and then set off at sunset for the farm where the horses lived.

Arriving in the dark after a 90-minute ride, we were greeted by fireworks from the local village, flares, drums and bright lights. The horses batted not an eyelid between them as they made their way into the compound.

The reason for this equine calm became clear. Dr Rao Ajeet Singh, whose horses they were , is the is the horse supplier for all weddings and religious parades for miles around, as well as ceremonial horses for the Maharajah of Udaipur when required.

During the ride we could enjoy the security that this training gave as we encountered all sorts of incidents that would have had my own horse spinning and away at pace.

The following day we set off on the first of our 25-kilometre rides into the countryside.

The horse I was riding was a 16h, 13 year old, black Marwari mare with

travel a white blaze. Raj Laxmi was an absolute delight to ride, forward going, extremely responsive and obedient.

She never put a foot wrong.

An eclectic group of people made up the thirteen riders. Ajeet leading and Caroline Moorey, of Horse India, bringing up the rear.

We were from Oxfordshire, the Home Counties, Lancashire, the South West and California, but soon began to get to know one another and enjoy the varied company.

With ages from 21 to 72, there was a wide range of experiences to discuss.

The competence of the riders was noteworthy. This is not an experience for the novice and with skills including steeplechase, eventing, dressage, polo, hunting, as well as endurance, it made for an easy exchange of views on riding topics.

The terrain consisted of tracks through farmland, riverbeds, rocky outcrops and dessert sands. Although much was in walk, we managed several good canters each day.

Overnight on the ride was under canvas. Not some little pop-up 2-man affair but a marquee each with bathroom at the rear. We ate under the stars with food cooked on site. A cooked lunch was laid out for us every day by the catering staff who met us at a farm rendezvous. If heat and dust and vegetarian food are not your thing then this is not the trip for you. I loved it.

Having ridden for three days, we had a night in a hotel in Jodhpur with welcome showers and a chance for a sightseeing day. Some of the group had jodhpurs made for them in Jodhpur and, saris purchased in the market began to appear at dinner.

Opposite page: Through the curled ears of Raj Laxmi.

This page: Top: We managed several good canters each day.

Below Camps were pitched each evening.

All photos courtesy of Anne Booth.

The second half of the trip was four full days riding with the camp pitched in ever more adventurous spots. We had a night by a lake with crocodiles in residence (I have evidence of fresh footprints). This was leopard country and we had the privilege of spotting two leopards on our evening safari to the rocks at Jawai.

We were truly in the desert on the top of sand dunes that defeated the service vehicles delivering our tents and supplies! Things took a little longer, everything having to be carried a substantial distance on foot by the tent staff.

Riding through villages and farmland opened the door to a world a normal tourist simply would not see. We were welcomed into peoples’ homes and treated like royalty. The women would put on their best clothes. We were invited on horseback into a school where 400 children lined up in

front of us while we demonstrated that life for women need not be subservient and confined. The headteacher and children were delighted to be introduced to a female Olympic Champion amongst our group as an illustration of what women can achieve.

The sight of a group of horse riders, mostly women, made quite an impact wherever we went.

The riding finished as we got near to Pushkar and the horses were despatched home by lorry for a wellearned rest ahead of the next call on their services.

The Pushkar Fair provided an opportunity to reflect on horse welfare issues. Many horses in India are treated in ways we would regard as cruel. Caroline and Ajeet are working hard to introduce new ways of caring for and training horses.

Caroline collects used bits from the U.K. and brings them to India to distribute amongst horse owners and breeders as a way of encouraging them to invest in soft mouth training.

We saw some dreadful bits being used, horses with bleeding mouths clearly in severe pain.

What will I remember? Firstly, looking through the curled ears of my horse. Raj Laxmi gave me a super ride and I felt we were creating a real bond by the time the ride was over.

The sights and the sounds – the noise in the cities is incredible, the quiet in the dessert a complete contrast. The palaces and fortresses are spectacular. But most of all the warmth of the people in rural Rajasthan . They have very little but were always ready to share what they had and welcome us. It felt a real privilege to meet them.

I have made some great friends. It was a wonderful experience.

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training

UNDERSTANDING FITNESS: WHAT IS FITNESS AND HOW TO MONITOR IT What is fitness? Fitness is generally used to describe an athlete’s suitability to compete, but what does that really mean? Fitness can be seen from multiple different angles.

Words by Fran James

T FRAN JAMES

MA VETMB DIPLOMATE ACVS & ECVS DIPLOMATE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION MRCVS Fran James graduated from Cambridge in 2001 and worked in the USA at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Centre from 2001-2008, completing an internship and residency in Large Animal Surgery and then working as a lecturer in Equine Sports Medicine for 3 years. Since 2008 she has worked in private practice in the UK, initially in Berkshire and then at NEH since 2016.

An American and European recognised specialist in large animal surgery (DACVS; DECVS) and an American specialist in Equine Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (DACVSMR), with particular interests in lameness and poor performance.

he most common interpretation refers to cardiovascular fitness (heart and lung function). This is essential to supply energy and oxygen to the muscles, basically fuelling the muscles during aerobic exercise. Training improves the efficiency with which these body systems work and is the major focus of much of the conditioning that endurance athletes require to compete successfully. The musculoskeletal system also requires training, to strengthen muscles, improve bone “toughness” and develop overall balance and core strength. It responds much more slowly than the cardiovascular system and is at risk of injury from overload if workload increases too quickly

especially if there isn’t adequate time between sessions for the tissues to recover and repair (research from Dr David Nunamaker’s group evaluating bucked shins in young Thoroughbred racehorses and how different training regimens reduced the incidence of this problem, is a great example why the skeleton needs to adapt to the demands of competition to prevent injury). Finally there’s metabolic fitness, probably the hardest conditioning response to see and quantify outside a laboratory. This includes improved efficiency of energy supply within muscle cells e.g. increased numbers of mitochondria (the power source of all cells) and more efficient removal and metabolism of waste products e.g. lactic acid. This allows athletes to compete for longer using proportionately less oxygen and energy substrate.

SO WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAIN TO MAXIMISE FITNESS AND PERFORMANCE?

It’s vitally important that training reflects the demands and specific challenges of the competition i.e. that training is tailored to what the horse is actually expected to do. This includes distance and speed but also competition surface and weather conditions.

This is due to differences between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism as well as preventing skeletal injury and exhaustion.

Aerobic metabolism provides a steady supply of energy or power

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training

(from the mitochondria) to the muscle cells over long periods of time and is very efficient at obtaining large amounts of energy (ATP) from each carbohydrate molecule, whilst producing pretty harmless waste products (water and carbon dioxide). In comparison, anaerobic metabolism provides energy (ATP) for short periods of time e.g. a few minutes, during strenuous exercise when energy production exceeds oxygen supply rate. Whilst this is effective during a 4.5 furlong sprint, its not a very efficient system and leads to build-up of waste products like lactate (which is responsible for feelings of fatigue and muscle soreness) within the body and development of what’s often called an “oxygen debt”. This debt needs to be paid back once the intense exercise is over, to remove and recycle the toxic by-products, like lactate, and recover some of the energy that would otherwise be underutilised or lost. To compete for hours over longer distances, endurance athletes almost exclusively work within the aerobic pathway.

Aerobic efficiency improves with training, as shown in human endurance athletes that reach steady state oxygen consumption more quickly and with a smaller oxygen deficit than sprinters or untrained individuals.

In practical terms, developing aerobic fitness means an emphasis on long slow distance (heart rate <140 bpm) in the early stages and gradually increasing the distance or duration of the exercise at this low-moderate

intensity. Exercise volume (number of sessions per week) then steadily increases and shorter distance conditioning rides can be incorporated, at either faster speed e.g. interval training or higher intensity e.g. hill work, once a solid base is established. This base requires 3-12 months to develop, with the entire process taking up to four years, depending on the horse’s previous conditioning history and competition objectives. The initial basic phase of training is vital, to not only to develop a solid cardiovascular base fitness but also to allow the musculoskeletal system (bones, tendons

and ligaments) to adapt to progressive loading and avoid injuries during heavier work, when the skeleton can be overwhelmed by the demands of training.

MONITORING FITNESS:

With endurance training, improvements in small blood vessel (capillary) density within muscles combined with increased heart muscle strength results in greater blood volume reaching muscles and improved cardiovascular efficiency. This means the horse can perform at the same level (same speed and distance) at lower heart

Opposite page: Pain or lameness can affect heart rate.

This page top: Recording vital signs regularly is key.

Bottom Developing cardiovascular fitness for faster work.

All photos courtesy of John and Barbara Austin.

‘Its vitally important that training reflects the demands and specific challenges of the competition’

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training

rates. Monitoring heart rate over a set piece of work is therefore an easy way to monitor and quantify gains in fitness. Other factors like weather (air temperature and humidity), ground surface (for example sand gallop vs firm turf) and gradient can influence heart rate, so developing a standardised exercise test for each horse and repeating it at set intervals e.g. every 1-2 weeks or every month is an easy way to keep tabs on fitness.

THE TEST CAN BE PERFORMED IN TWO WAYS: 1. Over a set distance e.g. 1 km

in a set time (with a stopwatch) or set speed (which is now much easier with the range of GPS-based wearable tech products on the market); the horse’s heart rate will decrease as fitness improves.

2.

By working the horse at a set heart rate over a set distance; the horse will complete the test in a shorter time as fitness improves.

Monitoring heart rate recovery after the set piece of work is another useful indicator of fitness. The horse’s heart rate is taken immediately at the end of the work and then at one minute intervals (if taking the horse’s pulse) or 1, 2, 5 and 10 minute intervals until heart rate returns to normal range (in a fit well-conditioned horse, this can be <64 bpm within 5-10 minutes of a check point). Alternatively, using a heart rate monitor or similar remote monitoring device, the heart rate can be continuously monitored and the heart rate at 5 minutes post-exercise and the time at which the horse’s heart rate returns to normal range recorded.

Potential confounding factors that affect heart rate include pain/lameness, stress, excitement, illness and elevations in body temperature (either due to fever or ambient temperature and humidity). This does mean that developing a feel for the horse’s normal heart rate during exercise and competition can also provide early warning before a problem becomes established; heart rate recovery is a typical marker for performance limiting problems like dehydration, electrolyte losses/depletion and muscle disorders.

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY HELP?

There are a vast number of different types of wearable technology available on the market for monitoring your horse’s every move, from how many

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Top It helps to find a measured route to practice on.

Right Monitoring heart rate recovery is an easy way to quantify gains in fitness.

All photos courtesy of John and Barbara Austin.

‘The important part is understanding what this data means’ steps are taken each day and how long is spent at each gait or on each rein in the school, to how hot and sweaty they are under their rugs and how long they sleep for. In terms of monitoring fitness, systems that monitor heart rate and GPS can be invaluable for monitoring fitness but require the rider to analyse the downloaded data. This data ultimately concentrates on similar

values: heart rate, speed and recovery time. Many systems come with their own smartphone app, to help condense this information (an additional subscription fee to access the horse’s information may be required). As with many training tools, the important part is understanding what this data means for the horse’s fitness and what to do with the information.

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rider fitness

ENDURANCE RIDER’S GUIDE TO BIOMECHANICS GEORGINA BULL

BSC (HONS) OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE, DO, ND

Georgina Bull, BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine, DO, ND is a registered Osteopath specializing in working with horses and riders, having also worked alongside the Elite Endurance Team in 2012/2013.

She has ridden her whole life, staying busy with her 2 horses currently, and has participated in almost all disciplines over the years. Georgina runs 2 clinics in Northamptonshire and presents biomechanics clinics both mounted and unmounted for riders wishing to improve their posture.

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Biomechanics is becoming a buzzword in the equestrian world at the moment. If you’ve never heard of it before, biomechanics is the study of mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living beings.

Words by Georgina Bull

E

ndurance riders need to be aware of rider biomechanics just as much, if not more, than other riders due to the length of time they spend on their horse’s back. If they are unbalanced on their horse they are spending even longer ‘doing the wrong thing’ which will lead to a very sore horse and rider!

This article aims to look at the biomechanics of riding and will hopefully give you some insight into how improving your posture can minimise strain on your body. Of course, if we learn to ride in balance, we become far easier for our horses to carry and can not only reduce strain on our body, but we can help to reduce the strain we place on our horse’s body, helping to improve our horse’s performance.

It should be no surprise to any rider that our own body has a big influence of that of our horses. We know we can influence our horses’ posture with schooling and training to encourage the horse to lift up through the forehand and use its hindquarters more, working in a more balanced way, but how do we change our own postures when we ride to make sure we don’t hinder our horse?

If you’re aware that you are crooked there are several things you can do to help yourself and your horse that we will discuss later. If you do suffer with stiffness, aches and pains in your joints, then it’s always worth seeking out some treatment for yourself. We spend money on physical therapy for our horses and saddle fitting, but this

rider fitness

is pointless if we don’t consider ourselves too and how we influence the horse’s body.

As riders we all understand that minor, short lasting aches and pains are par for the course, but are those aches actually being exacerbated by our riding posture, and how does it affect our horse’s movement?

Fundamentally, horses aren’t designed to be ridden, nor are humans designed to be riders. To help our horses to stay balanced when we ride, we need to make sure that we stay as upright and balanced as possible. As riders, we should be aware of where our own Centre of Gravity, or CoG, is in relation to that of our horses. We all know that gravity is a downward pull that is exerted by the earth which effects everything on the planet. Our CoG is the point around which all parts of your body are balanced, and in most humans, this is slightly lower than the height of our belly buttons. Our CoG changes depending on our body types, so a typically shaped female with hips wider than her shoulders will have a lower CoG than a tall male who has narrow hips and broad shoulders. If we ride a bicycle, we know that if we wobble to the left or the right, the cycle will topple to the side until we correct our posture. How we ride a horse is very similar.

Equally, horses have a CoG too.

Generally speaking, your horse’s CoG is underneath where you sit, roughly in the middle of its ribcage. Again, like in humans, a horse’s CoG can differ depending on its conformation, so a cob with low withers and well sprung ribs that has a tendency to work on

the forehand will have a CoG that is lower and further forward than a thoroughbred horse with high withers and built slightly ‘uphill’. Horses front legs are attached to their body through the shoulder blades, which are supported by a group of muscles that create a sling. The absence of collar bones to support the limb means the muscular sling has to work hard to deal with the extra load we place on the horse from riding. Horses are naturally designed to be on the forehand, carrying 60% of their weight on their front legs.

Schooling and good riding can help encourage them to carry more weight on their hind legs, thus slightly shifting

Oppposite page and top: Whether schooling or hacking out, our posture will have a profound effect on our horse.

Left: An unbalanced rider will produce an unbalanced horse.

‘Horses aren’t designed to be ridden, nor are humans designed to be riders’

their CoG to help them work more efficiently.

We all like to believe we sit straight and evenly in the saddle, but the truth is it’s very rare that we do. We all have body asymmetries which our horses adjust for with each stride they take.

There are other components that affect our riding which create the bigger picture and they vary for each rider and horse. Our daily postural habits will have a huge impact on our general flexibility and the amount of exercise we do away from riding must be taken into account.

Saddle fit is a huge topic, and a saddle that is out of balance, too small or too big for both horse and rider will imbalance the rider, let alone cause pain for the horse. We can help to correct our poor posture in the short term with gadgets and asymmetric flocking but unless we work on our own bodies, we will always have the imbalances.

There are four general “problem areas” that rider position faults fall into. Let’s look at them closer and see what can be done to help them:

PELVIS AND BACK

The rider’s pelvis and the saddle are the main point of interaction with our horse, therefore it’s vital for us to have good balance through our seat via the seat bones. Our bodies can go through three planes of movement: forwards and backwards in a rocking motion; tilting side to side and rotating around the midpoint to the left and

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rider fitness right, and our pelvis is no exception to the rule. We have to get all 3 just right to remain in a neutral balance and any deviation will affect not only how our spine works, but also how the horse uses its body.

Commonly, riders who sit with too much forward tilt to their pelvis will hollow their lower back, often due to, or causing lower back pain. Riders often find themselves tipping forwards in the saddle from fear or poor saddle fit which has a negative influence on our posture. By tipping forward, we put extra pressure on the horse’s front legs and help to push him further onto the forehand and making the muscular sling work harder.

It can be simple to help this by taking away our stirrups when riding in a safe place and focusing on allowing the legs to hang as if they are made of fabric and draped round the horse’s sides. By really paying attention to how even our seat bones feel in the saddle, we can make sure that we have equal weight in both. We can combine this with the use of simple exercises such as drawing the belly button back towards the spine to engage the core muscles and growing tall through our trunk to help us to sit up straight.

COLLAPSING TO ONE SIDE

As mentioned earlier, our bodies have 3 planes of movement and all too often we hear about riders who collapse to one side. This can often be because we sit with uneven pressure through one seat bone; we collapse through the spine and ribcage, or occasionally due

to our injuries and asymmetries.

As we collapse to one direction, we make our horses compensate to correct us and subsequently they become less flexible, unable to work as well on one rein as the other, sometimes showing problems striking off on one leg, or landing consistently on one rein after jumping.

We get changes to our own muscles on the side we collapse too, that leave us habitually crooked. It’s worth thinking about what you do away from riding if you feel lopsided, do you sit

Top: Saddle fit has a huge influence on rider balance.

Bottom: Collapsing to one side through the spine and ribcage.

Photo courtesy of Georgina Bull.

‘A little understanding of anatomy can make a big difference to your riding.’

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in one particular direction in the car, or maybe you always twist one way at work to pick something up. Repetitive patterns like these will directly impact on our riding, and the first step to changing is to identify these habits and change them.

Identifying if we collapse whilst riding requires a competent friend or instructor to watch us ride or maybe being videoed riding away from the camera to replay and assess. Sometime, twisting to see our own posture in an arena mirror can hide things!

We can help ourselves try to correct this by taking away our stirrups whilst riding on the lunge, and ride with your arms out to our sides at shoulder height. You can also ride with your hands behind your back, or on your head. I’ve often been laughed at by passing walkers and cyclists for hacking out with one arm in the air to transfer the weight onto the seat bone with the least pressure.

GRIPPING WITH YOUR KNEES

Poor lower leg position often has its roots based in the connection between the seat and the saddle and if there are problems there, as we looked at earlier, then we rely on our legs to compensate. If working on pelvic balance helps to improve the stability of your legs, fantastic! If not, don’t despair!

Our legs communicate our intentions to our horses and changes in leg pressure can not only affect our security and stability in the saddle, but can give our horses confusing, mixed

rider fitness

signals. Gripping with our knees makes us lose the efficacy of the lower leg. This can have a negative impact on how you signal your horse to move forwards or possibly confuse him due to swinging lower legs.

We can help release stiffness to the hip and knee joints very simply whilst mounted. In halt, consider asking someone to hold your horse still if necessary, draw one knee up towards your chest before circling your leg away from your saddle. Repeat two or three times each side and finish by letting your leg hang softly by your horse’s side at the end.

It’s worth mentioning here that a vast number of people ride with stirrups that are too long to provide any support for them. Another pearl of wisdom we were all taught when learning to ride was that in a perfect posture, if the horse was taken away from underneath you magically, you should land on the floor stood flat on your feet. How many riders can truly say that is correct for them? It may feel strange to put your stirrups up one hole and stop you reaching for them, but it usually helps many people who have an unstable lower leg or grip up with their knees. Again, the influence of the saddle design can have a huge impact on our leg posture and should never be discredited.

ARMS AND HANDS

We have significant influence over the horse’s way of going with our arms and hands via the bit. When we learnt to ride, we were all made aware that the perfect position to ride in should give us a straight line from the ear, dropping through the centre of the shoulder joint, hip and then down through the rear portion of the heel.

If we look at our arms whilst we ride in a similar way, the correct arm and hand position should see a straight line running from your elbow through the forearm and hand before passing directly down the rein to the horse’s mouth via the bit. Whilst in this posture, your hands should be carried with the thumbs on top, not turned over as if pushing a pram.

Riding with your hands turned over, elbows sticking out or artificially tucked into your sides will apply an unpleasant pressure to the bit, leading to ineffective rein contact and will result in a horse that is tight through its jaw and neck. Horses with these body patterns have a tendency towards being braced against the rider. By riding with a relaxed, elastic contact on

‘We owe it to our horses to be the most balanced, effective riders we can be to keep them performing at their best for us!’

Top: Leg pressure can affect security and stability.

Bottom: Riding with hands turned over applies unpleasant pressure to the mouth.

the reins and the elbows hanging softly by your sides you can help to keep an even pressure on the horse’s mouth.

It may seem irrelevant but with a little understanding of anatomy you can make a big difference to your riding.

There are many riders who have never experienced what it’s like to truly be in balance whilst riding and if riding is causing you pain, your poor performance can lead to your horse compensating for your body weaknesses as well as their own.

To tackle our imbalances, we should

consider various things to help ourselves. The use of yoga, pilates and other forms of strength and flexibility training can make significant differences to our posture and dealing with any painful areas we have by visiting a good physical therapist is an absolute must. We owe it to our horses to be the most balanced, effective riders we can be to keep them performing at their best for us!

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technology

TECHNOLOGY FOR TRAINING…WHAT DO RIDERS USE? Life moves on apace, and whereas in the 1980’s we used a stethoscope and a watch, now we have heart rate monitors, where we used a piece of string and a map, now there are Apps for our mobile phones…so what do riders find useful?

L

iz Platts, of Blackwater Arabians, uses Equilab to keep track of training for her horses.

With six horses of her own in work, this tool has proven invaluable to monitor their progress. Liz has also just returned from India, where she was training a group of horses and riders preparing for a major event. Again, using Equilab allowed her to list all the horses in training, and keep a record of how far and at what pace they had travelled on their training rides.

KEEPING TRACK OF TRAINING

Liz explained why she has been using Equilab over the past two years: “Well, a big plus is that there is no cost involved, but equally, it is such a simple yet powerful App to use. I can monitor individual horses, I can put them into groups. The App shows me how many minutes I have ridden for, and how many minutes at each pace.

I can see the route on my screen as a diagrammatic map or as an aerial view of the route. There is a history cache, and I can also share the training logs.

“This last part was particularly important when training riders in India and

The Equissage pad is portable, and can be used on the yard, at events or the end of a ride, or as a warm up for muscles before riding.

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monitoring her own horses work while she was away. “You can even use it for schooling, although the resulting image looks rather like a piece of modern art!” she added.

Why is it so important to keep these records? “People think they have done more than they have” Liz explained “this app ensures that you have an objective record of the training, we think we will remember what we have done, but we don’t, even writing a log later will miss things out, or distort what we think we have done.

Additionally, when you are working several horses, keeping a training log in detail can be challenging, and this app helps me to do that efficiently.”

Other tech kit that Liz uses includes Polar heart rate monitors “we put ours on a band to use in the vet gates; it’s put on as soon as the saddle comes off and we monitor from there on, we don’t use it during the ride” as well as the hand held monitor that is specifically for vet gates, and the team also use Equissage on the horses, “although this is mainly at home” Liz added, “as it is a bit too tight for time in vet gates”.

technology

Left to Right The app can show the toute ridden as a diagram, or as an aeriall photo, and schooling can be a revelation!

MAINLY MASSAGE

A rider who regularly uses Equissage is Sarah Bamber. Sarah is also an equine sports massage therapist and a human massage therapist “I regularly use the scientifically proven Equissage Pulse on my horses...

Equissage Pulse uses Cycloidal Vibration therapy , to give a deeply beneficial equine sports massage via the pad or hand unit. I use the back pad most days and the hand unit weekly for general health and well being, to warm up prior to competition to reduce the risk of injury, improve performance, speed up healing and aid rehabilitation.

If I have enough time I also use it to help warm up and cool down before and after exercise. Cycloidal Vibration therapy was originally developed for human use but after great success the Equissage Pulse was designed for use with equines. Some of the key benefits are - improved blood circulation; improved lymphatic drainage and reduced swelling; improved joint mobility and increased stride length it can help to release tension; helps in the healing of pulled ligaments by increasing blood flow relax muscle tension and removes lactic acid build up after strenuous exercise and helps relaxation.

I often use the hand unit for my own aches and pains... especially during winter when I develop 'hay net stuffers shoulder' and 'wheel barrow pushers

stiff hip syndrome' I would say I have been using the Equissage Pulse for more than a year and can definitely see the benefits post competition with my 17 yr old TBx. She recovers so much quicker after a long hard ride when we use the Equissage soon after completing a ride.”

MASSAGE AND MAGNETS

Lorna McCarthy has used Equilibrium products for many years, and has found the use of the Equilibrium massage pads and magnetic pads to be highly beneficial for her horses, both for competition and for use at home.

In recent months Lorna has been using the massage pad on her young horse who had issues with ulcers, that made him sensitive to girthing.

Other riders find that the magnetic pad can be very helpful to ease sore muscles, or aid in warm up and cool down in training and in vet gates (where this is allowed, always check rules and regulations) Additionally there is a hand mitt massage unit that many find invaluable as a quick massage option on a daily basis. Easily transportable, battery powered, and with several programmes, this can add great value to the time riders spend grooming and caring for their horse. This gentle contact can also help a person build a stronger bond with the horse.

HOW CAN THE EQUILAB APP HELP TO IMPROVE SAFETY?

Above: The Magnet pad is simple to put in place, and easy to use.

Right. The hand held massage mitt is easily carried and easy to use anywhere

In line with the official launch to the UK in December 2018, the company released a Premium version with new features. This version gives users access to the ‘safety tracking’ and ‘calendar’ feature.

The safety tracking feature makes it possible for riders to share their location through the app in real time with family members or friends, to help ensure that they make it safely back home to the stable. The person tracking the rider will not only be able to see the physical location of the rider, but also the gait and turn distribution, and then distance ridden.

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scottish endurance riding club

AWARDS FOR ALL AGES, ALL STAGES AND ALMOST ALL BREEDS Alison Wilson reports from the SERC AGM

F

lu vaccinations. Rarely has such an apparently mundane topic dominated discussions for so long at a SERC AGM. It’s clearly not just the racing world that is concerned about the rise in cases of equine flu this year. Having dismissed a proposal drafted by the Club’s Management Committee, establishing a protocol for dealing with passport inspections at events involved most of the audience at the AGM in February, but eventually something workable was agreed that will, hopefully, keep the risk of infection to a minimum while allowing our sport to continue along familiar lines.

The real business of the AGM – discussing proposed rule changes – seemed to pass quickly by comparison. Some proposals were withdrawn on the day (a relief to those who were daunted by the 11-page print-out); others were not carried. Those that did pass muster included an extension of the rest period following veterinary eliminations from 8 days to 10; a simplification of the maximum speed rule for those who have yet to achieve their Bronze Thistle Final (50kms);

the awarding of mileage to members successfully attempting a taster ride; and a recognition that competitors in gated classes who clearly intend to cross the finish line together should be awarded equal placing if successful.

Conducting her final AGM, outgoing Chair Marina MacArthur congratulated the Scottish squad and their management team for their very successful campaign in the 2018 Home International & Celtic Challenge at Brodie Castle in Moray, and also thanked those responsible for the success of the Club’s Seacliff ride and the annual Championships, held for the third and final time at Brodie. The Club accounts showed a healthy and stable position, with membership holding steady.

Marina welcomed the incoming Chair, Tayside’s Alison Seggie, and Vice Chair, Border’s Jenny Baird, before embarking on her final official duty – presenting the awards at the Prizegiving.

Never let it be said that some people at the AGM are only there for the Prizegiving, but there was a noticeable lightening of the atmosphere as the silverware and rosettes took centre stage.

With Club General Secretary Lindsay

Top: Mary Stockdale, winner of the Mousquetaires Trophy, with Cumbria Khafifa.

Photo courtesy of West End Photography.

Left: Lianne McKenzie and DNS Dante, winners of the Ashanti and Distance Rider Trophies.

Photo courtesy of TopGearPhotos.

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Wilson as master of ceremonies, Marina dispensed dozens of trophies and other awards to a wide variety of winners, representing all ages, stages and almost all horse breeds registered with the Club.

As the years have gone by, the emphasis has gradually shifted from high mileage trophies to high points, but one of the major awards is still the Mousquetaires Trophy for the highest annual mileage. Since 1987 when it was first awarded, the distance achieved peaked at the equivalent of 1215 kms in 1997, but hasn’t exceeded 1000kms since 2008. The 2018 winner, Mary Stockdale, achieved 852kms with Cumbria Khafifa and Sirnunn Golden Snowflake. The runner-up, Jill Calder, scooped the Cassidy Trophy for highest annual rider points – only 3 points ahead of her nearest rival, Lianne McKenzie, although Lianne’s

scottish endurance riding club

Left: Marina MacArthur presents Majorie Grant (right) with the Alli Balli Bee Gold Cup. Photo courtesy of KDM Photography.

Below: Katy and her pony Misty Morning, winners of the Junior Trophy.

Photo courtesy of TopGearPhotos.

horse, DNS Dante, won the highest annual horse points Ashanti Trophy, and as a combination Lianne and Dante also won the Distance Rider Trophy for highest points. Ten year old Katy was a shoo-in for the Junior Trophy: Katy and her pony Misty Morning achieved 201 points, rounding off a remarkable year which also saw her walking off with a raft of trophies at the Home International & Celtic Challenge.

Another junior, Iona, emerged the winner of the Anoushka Rising Star Award, which was featured on SERC’s pages in the JanuaryFebruary issue of Endurance, and Young Rider (17-21) Rebecca and Autumn Gold won the Young Rider Trophy by 50 points from runner-up Emma and I’m the Man. Much further up the age bands, Rosemary Matthew won the Perpetual Rider Trophy for the most rides (22 in her case) successfully completed by a rider over 65. Another veteran combination, Gill Brittle and her mare Holme Park Flirt, won both the Storm Trophy for highest distance by a horse over 16 and the Trooper Trophy for highest points in 80km classes. That age is no barrier to achievement was also proved

by Rhona Matthews’ Rosie, who not only won the Tannasg Arabian Stud Senior Veteran Horse Trophy for the highest mileage achieved by a horse over 21 (468kms) but also snaffled the Just Luck Pleasure Cup for highest mileage in Pleasure rides by a formerly Competitive horse.

A highly successful Connemara will have her name on three trophies: Marjorie Grant’s Legend’s Star (Lexi) won the Border Trails Intermediate Award, the Scottish Exmoor Endurance Trophy and the Alli Balli Bee Gold Cup, the last being hotly contested each year as it goes to the horse with the most number of Gold awards (48bph or under at final vetting) in 30km classes. Lexi achieved a very creditable 12, just pipping four-times winner Summertime ( Jo McIsaac) to the post.

The MacLean Fencing Novice Trophy went to Oakthwaite Nera Stella, grand-daughter of black Arab stallion Al Sood who has many progeny competing successfully in the UK, including his son Cumbria Black Beaujangles, winner of the Glasgow Cup and one of very few stallions competing in endurance north of the Border.

The full list of award winners is published in SERC’s e-magazine, Hoofprint, and also on the SERC website scottishendurance.com

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international

MASTERING MONTCUQ

Georgina Hirst celebrates her successful completion of the iconic French ride

I

n 2017 we travelled to Montcuq with Jonty where I retired him at the first vetgate after he slipped on some sheet rock. It felt like I had unfinished business and was desperate to return to this iconic ride. I knew I needed a horse who was very sure footed and would sit in a pack of other horses without pulling. So, with my goal set for 2018, all I had to do was get Polar qualified (being a 3* ride you require a 2* qualification within 24 months of the competition) as his previous 2* qualification had lapsed.

Polaris is a homebred ¾ Arab and ¼ welsh. Out of my mother’s diminutive Rohey Evagline (13.2hh) by Vlacq Khazad. Although he’s bred for the job he definitely hasn’t been easy along the way. His list of antics is far too long to list but he has come back from a career ending injury and also survived getting stuck in a cattle grid.

He loves tough mountainous courses, and although I wouldn’t describe him as a speed horse, he can maintain his speed over challenging terrain….

Not only is he an FEI endurance horse he is also my faithful partner when it comes to gathering sheep off the black mountains at the annual gathers.

We managed to get the qualification we needed at Seacliff in June where he finished the 120km CEI** in 14th

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place at 14.03km/hr. I planned for Seacliff as not only is it a fantastic course with a very warm welcome, it’s an 8hr drive away so it meant we could practice the travelling without going abroad.

My training consisted of riding in the Black Mountains (which is home for us), training him on the Begwyns (part of the Red Dragon route) and with Sue Box in Wentwood forest, making the most of the hard tracks as this would be similar terrain to what’s under foot in Montcuq.

We were all set for the big challenge that lay ahead of us, the 42nd edition of the iconic ride of ‘Les 2 jours de Montcuq’

THE JOURNEY:

We left Wales in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with the horse box full to the brim (literally packing for every occasion- I hate to imagine how many rugs I actually took), Stephen (my husband), my daughter (nearly 2), myself and Polar set off on the long journey.

We left at midnight in the hope of missing the traffic but also in the hope that our daughter would sleep for some of the journey. We unloaded Polar near Folkestone and grazed him for 45mins before getting a 6:50am tunnel crossing.

Once in France we navigated our way to a lairage stables North of Paris where we arrived about 11:30am. We were able to turn Polar out in a small paddock for a few hours, and walked him out in hand. He was getting very worked up and was lathed in sweat (for any other horse I would be very worried, but being Polar I knew this was quite normal for him but it certainly doesn’t do anything for your stress levels when you know you still have another days travelling and a 200km ride ahead of you). We left Polar in the stable whilst we went and got some food at a nearby McDonalds.

On Thursday morning, we left the

Main photo: Georgina and Polaris out on the course.

Photo by Erictrescaves.

Above: The much coveted Montcuq completetion plaque.

Photo G HIRst.

international

‘Having watched the ride many times over the years and starting the race last year, I knew the most difficult day is day 2’ stables about 1am. We unloaded Polar for 45minutes to graze near Limoges, before pushing on and arriving at our hosts Carolyn and Alan Pacey’s beautiful retreat in Montaigu de Quercy in time for breakfast…. We unloaded Polar and turned him straight out in the field where he had a run around and met his new friends… Including Carolyn’s 160km mare and previous Endurance GB National Champion Infidella (who looks fantastic at 22) …

We had a warm greeting from fellow Brits who were holidaying at Carolyn’s and taking in the amazing atmosphere that goes with Montcuq. It was great to catch up with Liz, Carrot, Fiona, Linda and Robert Cowperthwaite who were also going to help crew me.

We stayed a couple of miles away at a lovely gite courtesy of air b n b, with Amie Baker who had flown out to help us as well.

With arriving as close to the ride as possible allowing Polar time to recover from the journey, but not too much time to think about what was coming next, the days leading up to the ride were crazy getting the stables organised, working out crewing logistics, looking after Polars every need

and we also had a toddler to entertain.

On Friday morning, I went out for a gentle hack with Carolyn riding her stallion Sammy and Linda and Liz came with us running. A lovely relaxing ride and a great chance to see the challenging terrain that lay ahead of us over the next couple of days.

We then took Polar to the venue in time for the pre-ride vetting, where the metabolics is still done in the stables, then all the horses are trotted up in number order (with all the vets watching) in front of the fire station in Montcuq (just hoping a fire engine isn’t required else there is a scattering of horses and officials).

We passed!.. We weighed in and we were ready to go.

Having watched the ride many times over the years and starting the race last year, I knew the most difficult day is day 2, especially loop 2. With this in mind I knew I had to ride Polar very conservatively to keep plenty in the tank for the second day.

So, my plan was to average between 14-15km/hr throughout the race, and hopefully increase my speed gradually with each loop.

This wasn’t a qualification ride, this

Top left: The final vetting in the town of Montcuq.

Top right: We did it!!

Photos supplied by G Hirst.

was a personal challenge to embrace the unique tough course, ride within my horses capabilities and return with a fit and healthy horse at the end.

RACE DAY:

With 83 horses lining up on the start line (59 horses in the CEI and 24 horses in the CEN- National class), horses were trotting up and down the narrow streets of Montcuq to warm up. The place was buzzing. The start is in the middle of Montcuq on cobbled streets behind a pace car (a little panda car which is unique to the history of Montcuq and what Pierre Passemard the previous ride organiser would have driven, sadly he passed away in 2015) . I had decided to start towards the back of the pack as once the pace car goes you begin a long climb up on a very stony track then when you reach the plateau on the top everyone takes off, and I really didn’t want to be overtaken and get towed, I knew how important it was to ride my own race. The first loop is 35km undulating on hard stony tracks, tarmac and sheet rock towards the first vetgate which is located in the town square at Castelnau- Montratier.

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Above: Georgina and Polaris exude focus and determination.

Left: Bright and happy, outside the stables the morning after completing the race.

Photos from G. Hirst.

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The route is permanently marked all year round with little blue wooden arrows and the course remains relatively un- changed over the years (except when they have changed the vetgate location). We presented in 4:25 minutes at 14.02 km/hr the square was packed. We presented to vet and even though there were 8 vet lanes we literally couldn’t move being squashed between horses also waiting to vet…. Having no idea how Polar would react to this intensity of people and horses around him, I was very relieved to hear a heart rate of 60 and a pass. Being in a town square, there was no grass just tarmac everywhere, but luckily, he ate and drank well.

The 2nd loop was 38km a long steep climb out of the vetgate, over washed out tracks, boulders and tree roots, before plenty of hard stony undulating tracks, twisting and turning all the time… The time was made up cantering along the roads.

The 2nd vetgate on both days was at playing field in Labastide-Marnhac this time we managed to present in 2:43 at 15.35km/hr….

Loop 3 was 22km back into the town of Montcuq the same route home both days… Although I had always thought this loop was a flat loop (and the speeds would lead you to believe this), it was very undulating and still very hard underfoot

with plenty of tarmac… The last few kms was a downhill run back into Montcuq, and as we arrived into the town, people were sat in the cafes and lining the streets cheering us in, a truly magical moment.

A final loop speed of 17.46km/hr and presenting in 2:50 In Montcuq finishing Day 1 in 43rd place at an average speed of 15.28km/hr. He felt and looked great and I knew he still had plenty in the tank for the more demanding Day 2. I was so pleased I had stuck to my plan and had ridden my own race, whatever happened on Day 2 I was beyond proud of what we had already achieved.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent looking after Polar, and sorting out all the equipment ready to do it all again. I like to trot them up last thing that night so at least I can see how they are looking and I’m not in for any surprises in the morning. I was more than happy with how Polar was looking, you wouldn’t have thought he had done anything the way he was dragging me around, so I was able to sleep easily ready for day 2.

Montcuq is unique in that day 2 also has a mass start for all horses again behind the same panda pace car!

So, after a trot up in the morning (in front of the fire station again) with all the vets present, (only finishing with 10minutes to spare)! 70 horses started Day 2 leaving Montcuq heading North (the opposite way from Day 1). Polar was full of it, and rearing to go which was very reassuring as we set out on the demanding track.

The 1st loop on day 2 was 32km to a small village called Le Boulve there were some very steep climbs on this section, with very rocky terrain under foot. The climbs were mostly done at walk as they were so steep, then as soon as we started going downhill again we would be cantering along tracks you wouldn’t even consider taking a horse down in the UK. The whole time we were pushing to keep the speed up, cantering on all the roads (as this was often the best surface available). We passed through the vetgate after 20km, before going out and doing a further 12km hilly loop, and my heart sank as you could already see the craziness of the vetgate and the queues of crew cars, I just hoped my crew would be ok and we could make this vetgate work, (having been here last year this was the one I was most worried about logistically). I arrived at the first vetgate in a group of 30 horses. The

international

vetgate at Le Boulve is basically a This is where I think Montcuq is cross roads in the village. With 70 such a unique challenge as not only horses going through, it can only be have you done the hardest loop as the described as manic, but somehow second last but then you have a comit worked. Again, Polar presented pulsory re-inspection before you are quickly having completed the loop due to go out again… We completed at 14.11km/hr. The hold is then in loop 5 at 14.32km/hr, taking slightly a grass field just down the road, and longer to present due to the heat of my crew were amazing getting all the the day, and not wanting to take any equipment in the correct places at the risks this far into the ride. We passed right time, not an easy task! the re-inspection and we just had the The 2nd loop ride back into on day 2 is known ‘As we came back down Montcuq! I rode to be the toughest last loop with the hill into Montcuq I had the loop of the ride a French National a long loop of tears running down my rider, taking it 38km, incorpo- face, I could not believe steady, crewing rating some long our horses as climbs includ- what this incredible horse often as we could. ing the famous had just done’ But Polar was Flottes where still keen leading you do 20km of continuous climbing the way back, and at any opportunity before reaching Flottes and then conhe would still pop into canter on his tinuing uphill to the vetgate going over own accord. As we came back down the 160km mark where there was the hill into Montcuq I had tears runalso a compulsory re-examination at ning down my face, I could not believe Labastide-Marnhac. The terrain was what this incredible horse had just still relentless hard stony tracks and done, he had given me a foot perfect tarmac. My crew were fantastic, makride, not slipping once on the terrain ing sure they crewed us as often as and he had brought me home! Again, they could. Polar stormed up Flottes the streets were lined with people but the group I was riding with were cheering us home, a memory that will pushing on at a fair pace, so I pulled last a lifetime… Completing the final him back wanting to take him into the loop at 14.97km/hr. We just had the vetgate steady knowing we would be final vetting to get through. entering unknown territory.

We put very little water on him at the

Above: It would not have been possible without teamwork!

A celebratory photo including many who were part of the experience!

finish, just fed him and once his heart rate was low enough we presented to the vet.

We passed the final vetting ……. we did it 200km at Les 2 Jours de Montcuq completed… Finishing in 26th place at 14.83km/hr. What a star he is…

The ride was won by Ludovic Saroul (Fra) on Noam Jednostka at an overall speed of 18.9km/hr. The top 5 horses all finished within 10 minutes of the leader.

Polar is now back on his Welsh mountain, back up to his normal antics enjoying a well earned holiday, as for what’s next… Having completed the challenging mountain rides that are The Golden Horseshoe and Montcuq there is one ride that’s still on our bucket list . . . . The mythic historic race. . .Les 160km de Florac….

None of this would have been possible without the most amazing hospitality and crewing from Carolyn and Alan Pacey, and the amazing crewing from Liz and Carrot (Blackwater Arabians), Linda and Robert (Team H Endurance), Fiona and daughter and Amie Baker…As well as my family.

The team work was incredible, and it made me proud to be British having such incredible, experienced riders/ crews around me.

Endurance March/April 2019

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management

BOARD DIRECTOR ROLES, VISIONS, ETHOS

Photos courtesy of David Saunders

ROSEMARY HENDERSON

ESTHER YOUNG

GROUPS AND VOLUNTEERING DIRECTOR

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Esther has held a variety of volunteer roles over the years: group committee member, group newsletter editor, website manager, and ride organiser.

She currently co-organises two multi day national rides and she joined the Board of Directors in 2016 as Operations Director.

Her Board responsibilities include the ride schedule, ride

feedback, and the rulebook.

Esther enjoys working with the ride organisers and technical stewards to ensure delivery of successful events. She believes that Endurance GB's loyal and passionate volunteers are key to the success of the organisation.

Rosemary considers that her role with the Groups is to support and develop the local Groups structure, encouraging them to improve in every area.

Her role within Health &Safety is to ensure that Endurance GB's activities are all undertaken with Health & Safety as a paramount consideration for all, and ensuring compliance across this remit.

Her ethos is practicality, not

CONSTANCE NEWBOULD

ALEX TENNANT

SERC REPRESENTATION

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Constance has been a member of Scottish Endurance since 1997 and during that time has have carried out most roles, from committee member, ride organiser, Chief Steward to Central Club Chair. She was Scottish Endurance director to Endurance GB from 2002 for three years and during that time was extremely supportive of the Board in general.

Scottish Endurance has over

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endurancegb.co.uk

500 members and the role of the SERC Director is to ensure SERC's views are included in the overall strategic plan within Endurance GB. With the new board of Endurance GB made up of only 10 directors, Constance feels strongly that her role is not just to represent SERC but to bring her wealth of knowledge of the sport, and her management skills to the table.

Alex has a vision and ambition for Endurance GB to inspire and engage members by offering outstanding training, riding and seminar events, that are inclusive and accessible to all.

Her aim is to elevate participation in endurance riding by offering a breadth of opportunities within the sport, with supportive

re-inventing the wheel, doing whatever she can to do to get things done and recognising the importance of timely communication.

Rosemary's vision is for more inter-Group sharing of best practice and ideas to make Endurance GB more effective, cost-efficient and attractive to potential new members.

pathways to development, whilst also recognising achievement and motivating all members to develop their own personal progression. Alex aims to revive the pride and spirit of endurance riding and to fundamentally embed the principles of horse welfare, partnership and good horsemanship.

management

REBECCA KINNARNEY

ANNE DARK COMPANY SECRETARY AND GOVERNANCE DIRECTOR

CHAIR

Anne was first introduced to endurance back in 1994 and has since enjoyed competing through the levels with her daughter Carri Ann. As a family they love producing young horses and have a complete understanding of the hard work involved. Since switching to the role of crew, Ann has travelled to many national and international events, getting her endurance

Involved with endurance riding since 2008, RebeccaI has volunteered every year in some way or another, at rides, on Group committees and, latterly, as a Board member.

Now Chair of Endurance GB, Rebecca believes that the role of Chair is to represent the views, needs and priorities of Endurance GB and every one of its members to the greater

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Endurance has given Ann and her family so many wonderful experiences and in return she has offered her knowledge and contribution to the Board of Directors. Her passion for the sport continues and would highly recommend endurance to absolutely everyone.

KERRY DAWSON

JOHN ROBERTSON

COMMUNICATIONS AND PR DIRECTOR

Kerry came into endurance riding through rehabilitating her ex-racer Thoroughbred Mell Time and has never looked back. Kerry has held numerous volunteer roles within the society, including Chair of West Riding Group of Endurance GB, and currently runs two National Endurance GB rides along with Esther. Kerry's passion

equestrian world, to the media and to Endurance GB's partners. Her overarching vision is to let as many people as possible know about the benefits of endurance riding. Rebecca believes that endurance riding in the UK can improve the lives of horses and people, and her mission is to spread the news!

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR

SUE BOX is motivating and encouraging others to give the sport she loves a try so watch out for several campaigns working with Riding for the Disabled, Retraining of Racehorses, Pony Clubs and Riding Clubs during 2019.

VICE CHAIR AND FINANCE DIRECTOR

Endurance March/April 2019

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groups

DERBYSHIRE GROUP Words from Sarah Wright

PRESENTATION EVENING AND ANNUAL AWARDS

We had another super evening and it was great to see everybody. Thank you to Ruth Indiepics for taking the photographs which are now on our Facebook page.

Congratulations to all the prize winners especially to Lissie Reeves on being our Top Derbyshire Rider.

Three people won their first ever Derbyshire Endurance GB rosette - Derek Whiteley for Top Crew, Phil Wilcockson for runner-up Top Crew and baby Holly for being so cute and well behaved, coincidentally Holly shares her birthday with every single racehorse in the world, so she's bound to grow up and share her mum's love of thoroughbreds.

RIDE CALENDAR 2019

I'm really looking forward to this, at least 3 new rides and some new ride organisers, plus training events. Our planned schedule is below, but please note that some are still to be confirmed (TBC), and therefore might be subject to change. So, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates.

• April 13th - Training event with Ros Cooper TBC • May 25th - Training event with Esther Green and Simulator TBC • May 26th - Manifold in May social ride TBC • June 1st and 2nd - Foremark National Ride - Competitive and Pleasure ride classes on Saturday, Pleasure rides only Sunday. See www.endurancegb.

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endurancegb.co.uk

co.uk for schedule.

• June 22nd - Rodsley social rideTBC • July 14th - Flash Lane in support of MADBAG social ride - early start times of 8am-9.30am • July 27th Barbrook social ride (near Barlow) - TBC • Aug 18th - Hartington in H'August social ride- TBC • Sept 22nd - Derwent Dambusters National Ride - Competitive and Pleasure ride classes. See www. endurancegb.co.uk for schedule.

• Oct 6th - Okeover Charity Ride in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance • Dec 7th - Carsington Mince Pie social ride - TBC • New Derbyshire 3 Challenge Award (D3C) Planning for this exciting new award is still in it's infancy, but basically we want to recognise and reward Derbyshire members who participate in the true, old fashioned endurance rides that we are holding this year. It is open to all Derbyshire members, whether you are Full or Associate, competitive or non-competive. Two ride events that are to be included in the Challenge are the new social ride at BARBROOK near Barlow, and all classes at the DERWENT DAMBUSTERS national ride . These will be joined by a third ride from our calendar. Derbyshire members who complete all three rides will be awarded a special Derbyshire 3 Challenge Rosette at next year's Presentation Evening. Look out for further details of D3C on our Facebook and website in due course.

Top left: a great array of prizes.

Top right The Derbyshire committee.

Top Derbyshire rider, Lissie Reeves.

Below: Happy Prizewinners.

All pics courtesy of IndiePics.

groups

SOUTH EAST GROUP Words from Miranda Kavanagh

T

his year the South East Group has a full calendar of 14 rides in total – nine Pleasure Rides and five National Rides, plus training opportunities and social events.

The season got off to a flying start with our Twelfth Night Pleasure Ride on 6th January, which was enjoyed by 50 riders, many of whom were not South East members. We hope we have tempted them to join, as each rider got a mince pie and glass of non-alcoholic mulled wine (kindly sponsored by a member).

Details of all rides shall be made available on Facebook and the NEW WEBSITE (see below) as it becomes available.

Our next ride is Tilford on 9-10th March. The Saturday will be pleasure rides only and the Sunday graded rides.

Within a short time of entries opening for this ride, both days were full, which must be some kind of record.

Tilford is followed by our ‘Italian

Adventure’ pleasure ride on 31st March. South East young rider Katie Bedwin plans to travel to the Young Rider World Championships in Pisa, in September 2019. Katie will be competing Penhwnllys Samala de Mon (aka Marley) and currently they are the only qualified combination within Endurance GB. The South East committee agreed that a proportion of the profits from this ride would be donated towards the travel costs to get to Pisa (roughly £5000 in total).

Our first National ride this year is Primrose on April 28th at which we will offer the return of the 65km distance plus a foundation GER of 20km.

On 15-17 March once again we are holding a training weekend at Hornshill Farm, Rosemary Attfield’s base in West Sussex, providing a great opportunity to get some early season help and advice for riders at all levels.

We hope that our calendar of rides and events has something for everyone.

We now have a new online booking system for group rides and other events, called Bookitbee, making life easier for organisers and entrants. It has already proved a success with our Twelfth Night and Tilford pleasure rides. Our events can be found either by following the links on our Facebook page, or searching on the Bookitbee home page.

It offers ride organisers an online entry formatting system which they can then download to view their entries, and riders the ability to enter and pay online.

Finally we have moved to a new website, giving a fresh, friendly look and feel. Please visit: endurancegbsoutheast.wordpress.com Hoping to see some of you at our events in 2019.

HORSING AROUND rsing Ho

"Gee this Spring grass is SPRINGY!" Anne Brown and her Arab foal from Gadebrook stud have won a £60 voucher to spend with Equine Products UK!

Congratulations!

Winner!

A

rou n d

Endurance Photo Competition

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KEY DATES Key Dates 2019 Annual General Meeting Daventry Court Hotel, Daventry, NN11 0SG 23rd November, 12:15pm (unless otherwise advised) Receipt of Members’ Proposals for AGM In writing to Company Secretary at Stoneleigh Office by 5pm on Friday 27th September Nominations for the Board of Directors In writing to Company Secretary at Stoneleigh Office by 5pm on Friday 27th September Nominations for Unsung Hero, John Yeats Bursary & Young Volunteer of the year awards 25th October Receipt of FEI & Major Ride Proposals 30th August

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Receipt of National Ride Proposal Forms 11th October Claims for Distance Awards 18th October Board of Directors Meetings 12th / 13th January 16th March 26th May 3rd August 12th October 23rd / 24th November Groups Meeting 26th October Ride Fixtures meeting 27th October

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