Endurance Magazine Autumn 2021

Horse Health Fitness & Feeding Tips

Championships National & European Stars Autumn 2021

Official members' publication for Endurance GB

Feeding for endurance…

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In this

Volume 18 – Issue 3

issue

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

Unit C, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Kettering, Northants, NN16 9QJ t: 01536 527297 e: info@matrixprint.com Designed by Matrix Print Consultants Ltd George Eason e: george@matrixprint.com

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Production Editor Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Catherine Baldock t: 01536 527 297 e: catherineb@matrixprint.com Advertising Sales Manager Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Andy Etherton t: 01536 527 297 e: andy@matrixprint.com Deadlines Copy Dates to Editor for future issues of Endurance: Winter copy deadline is 5th November. If you wish to advertise in the Summer issue, Artwork deadline is 17th November. 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.

Endurance GB 8

Championships

18

Team H Endurance

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A European Champion

30

Soar above the clouds

38

The road to Ermelo

For the record by Elizabeth Peplow

Linda Cowperthwaite in the spotlight

The story of Warrens Hill Chayze

Fiona Kearton, Durham & Teesside Member

Nicki Thorne’s Championship Diary

Regulars Cover Photo Janice Cockley-Adams and HS Echo Photo courtesy of David Saunders Photography

Follow us

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4 6 8

Future Focus Endurance GB Chair Phil Nunnerley

News The latest news and updates

Endurance GB News Annual General Meeting & awards

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Features 16 22 28

Siametric Systems Are Go Enduro fitness tracker

Equine Diet Feeding the Endurance athlete

Horse Health How to use soaked feeds

@EnduranceGB EnduranceGB @endurancegbinsta

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SERC The Scottish Team

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Feeding Tips Think fibre first

ISSN 2516-2349

contents

3

Future

Endurance GB Board of Directors

focus

Chairman, Policy & Governance PHIL NUNNERLEY T: 07860 323968 / 01761 221561 E: philnunnerley@endurancegb.co.uk Finance Director CHRIS WRAY T: 07856 500519 / 01600 860938 E: chriswray@endurancegb.co.uk Groups, Health & Safety, The Office, Volunteering ROSEMARY HENDERSON T: 07894 477049 E: rosemaryhenderson@endurancegb.co.uk International Director, Development (Including Young & Junior Riders, Coaching, Futurity, Pony Club, Para) ROSEMARY ATTFIELD T: 07810 580880 / 01403 822567 E: rosemaryattfield@endurancegb.co.uk SERC representative ALISON SEGGIE E: Alison.seggie@btinternet.com Vice Chair, Operations Director, IT and BEF Equality Action Team Representative ESTHER YOUNG T: 07454 929919 E: estheryoung@endurancegb.co.uk Sponsorship Director CLAIRE BARRY T: 07850 309 231 E: clairebarry@endurancegb.co.uk Communications Director KERRY DAWSON T: 07818 283144 E: kerrydawson@endurancegb.co.uk Welfare Director ANTONIA MILNER-MATTHEWS T: 07712 559256 E: antoniamilner-matthews@endurancegb.co.uk Safeguarding Director AMANDA WOOLCOMBE E: amandawoolcombe@endurancegb.co.uk Directors of Endurance GB are volunteers, so please be patient and considerate with any queries. Most Directors work full time elsewhere and are not always available during working hours. No calls before 9am or after 9pm please.

Phil Nunnerley | Chair of Endurance GB

Dear Members, Let me start by congratulating Nicki Thorne, competing for GB, on a successful completion at the European Championships at Ermelo - an inspiration for all those aspiring to represent their country.

I am writing this whilst manning a gate on Aberedw at Red Dragon, appreciating the wonderful countryside our sport gives us the opportunity to enjoy. This ride offers something for everybody from the 18km Pony Club Championship up to the 160km Speedi-Beet Red Dragon and 160km National Championship - 170 horse and rider combinations across 3 days of riding. John and Jane Hudson have organised another real Endurance Challenge. We are so grateful for all their hard work after the disappointment of Covid-19 cancellation last year. We also have a packed programme from now until the end of the season with the Home International at Cropton in just 2 weeks.

The end of season also means our AGM and Annual Awards dinner approaches. Last year we held the AGM virtually but after consulting you, our members, the majority view was a desire this year for a hybrid model offering the options of attending physically or, for those preferring not to have to travel, to join via Zoom. Whichever is your preference, we do encourage your participation. Apart from voting on nominations to the Board there will be proposals for rule changes and just as importantly, there will be opportunities for you to express your views and ideas on how we can attract more members; how we can encourage more members to attempt more challenging rides; and most importantly how we can recruit more ride organisers, technical stewards, and volunteers. Time is a precious commodity, but we all have a responsibility to give back some time if we are to sustain our volunteer based organisation.

Phil

The latest

news and updates

Driving licence changes to tow horses on the road

T

he Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVLA) has announced that drivers will no longer have to sit a test in order to tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) — the weight normally required when towing two horses in a trailer.

The changes are the result of a recent government consultation and will enable more lorry tests to be offered instead, helping to combat the shortage of lorry drivers in the UK. Tests for the category B + E (car + trailer) category will cease on 20 September and any tests booked after will be automatically cancelled and refunded. Until the law changes later in autumn 2021, you must continue to follow the current rules about what you’re allowed to tow based on when you passed your car driving test or face a fine of up to £1,000.

Driving licence records with the new allowances will update automatically and category BE will be added to driving licences when a new photocard driving licence is ordered. The exact date has not yet been confirmed, but when the law changes, it means horse owners and riders who passed their car driving test after 1 January 1997 will no longer have to pass a separate trailer test in order to

tow their horses on the road. In a statement, the DVLA said “it’s best to take training from a driving instructor if you want to start driving a car and trailer”.

For updates on when the law will change, please visit www.gov.uk

Upcoming Endurance GB Rides November

October Sat 2nd - Sun 3rd Concrete Cows Fri 8th - Sun 10th Cropton Forest - Hosting the Home Internationals Sunday 10th Durham Valleys GERs and PRs Sunday 17th Buxton - Local Group Ride Maryland Fun Ride - Local Group Ride Falstone - Local Group Ride Hallington - Local Group Ride

Sunday 24th Brodsworth - Halloween Ride Cerne - Pleasure Ride Druridge Bay - Local Group Ride Poplar Park Sandlings - National Ride Saturday 30th Talybont - GERs and PRs Watergrove Womble - Local Group Ride Sunday 31st Bramshill Halloween Ride Local Group Ride Rachel Saunders Memorial Ride Local Group Ride Devilish Dimmingsdale - Local Group Ride

Sunday 7th Ranskill Remembrance Ride - Local Group Ride Sunday 21st Congleton - Local Group Ride

December Sunday 5th Christmas Carol at Shipley Park - Local Group Ride Mince Pie Ride - Local Group Ride Tuesday 28th Cranborne Christmas Ride - Local Group Ride

Please note we are expecting a number of updates to local group Christmas and new year rides, so please keep checking the Endurance GB website over the coming weeks. https://egb.myclubhouse.co.uk/Events/Calendar

news

5

Save the date

EGM/AGM &

Awards Dinner

T

he event will take place at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa on Saturday 27th November 2021. There will be an Extraordinary General Meeting starting at 12.15pm to agree some necessary legal changes to the Articles of Association and the Annual General Meeting will start at 12:30pm.

•

Attendance is for Full members only (Riding, Non Riding, Life or Honorary members).

•

Members can attend at the venue or online, via Zoom.

•

Voting will be online, in advance, except for those attending in person at the venue who can vote on the day if they wish to

•

Tea & Coffee is available at the venue

•

All attendees must book via the Events Calendar on www.endurancegb.co.uk, selecting the option to attend in person or

by Zoom.

Please arrive at the Awards Dinner for 7pm to be seated for the starter of your three course

6

endurance news

meal which will be served at 7:30pm. Meal tickets & menu options are to be booked via the Events Calendar on www.endurancegb.co.uk, the cost is £38 per person.

Overnight accommodation

There are 40 bedrooms reserved at the hotel until 16th October which cost £95 double, £85 single.

These must be booked & paid for direct with the hotel. Please either call 01926 336621 or visit www.woodlandgrange.com

There is also a Ramada hotel 3 miles away and a Premier Inn 4 miles away.

Location

The hotel is situated a stone’s throw from Leamington Spa, in the heart of the county of Warwickshire, a short distance from both Leamington Spa and Warwick train stations.

Or if you’re travelling by car, it’s just off the A46 Warwick Pass. Woodland Grange, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, CV32 6RN.

regular | endurancegb.co.uk

Starter Roasted vine tomato soup

with rocket pesto and parmesan (GF) Crumbled goats cheese

with beetroot flavours and honeycomb (GF V) Smoked ham knuckle and pork terrine

with piccalilli and toasted sour dough

Main

Dessert

Salted baked lamb shoulder

Baked dark chocolate tart

Crisp skinned sea bream

Seasonal British fruit and cinnamon granola crumble

with parsley mash and a red currant jus (GF)

with textures of chocolate

with herb and lemon crushed new potatoes and a white wine butter sauce (GF)

with vanilla crème anglaise (V)

Butternut squash risotto

White wine poached pear and almond tart

with caramelised walnuts and blue cheese (GF V), or without blue cheese (Vegan)

Awards

Time is running out to make nominations for our special awards. All nominations for our special and volunteer awards must be made by 22nd October.

Board of Directors are ineligible.

completed competitive distances are eligible:

THE JUNE ADAMS AWARD

•

Any Endurance GB vetted competitive ride

•

Any EHPS vetted competitive ride

•

Any BERA or BHS ERG vetted competitive ride

•

Any SERC vetted competitive ride

•

Any FEI ride where the horse is part of an international team.

An award to the ‘Unsung Hero’, that is someone who has given unfailing service to Endurance GB by way of help at rides or assistance in any other way or ways and need not be a member of Endurance GB. To be nominated by The Board of Directors.

presented by the Endurance GB Board.

A new perpetual award given to the ride organiser, ride secretary or ride organising team who have offered exceptional customer service at an Endurance GB national or local ride in the current season. To be nominated by any member of Endurance GB in writing to the Chairman by 30th October. The Board of Directors will, after due deliberation, choose the recipient(s) on merit.

THE ROSETTES DIRECT AWARD

THE BORTHWICK BACK-UP TROPHY

THE ALEC McGUINNESS MEMORIAL TROPHY

presented by Rosettes Direct An award retained by the recipients, to the ‘Unsung Hero’, that is someone who has given unfailing service to Endurance GB by way of help at rides or assistance in any other way or ways and need not be a member of Endurance GB. To be nominated by an Endurance GB member or members, in writing to the Chairman by 27th October. The Board of Directors will, after deliberation, choose the recipient on merit.

Serving members of the Board of Directors are ineligible.

THE NATIONAL ASSISTANCE AWARD

presented by Rosettes Direct A perpetual award to the ‘Unsung Hero’, that is someone who has given unfailing service to Endurance GB by way of help at rides or assistance in any other way or ways and need not be a member of Endurance GB. To be nominated by an Endurance GB member or members, in writing to the Chairman by 27th October. The Board of Directors will, after deliberation, choose the recipient on merit. Serving members of the

with pear purée, nutmeg ice cream

presented by Bruce Borthwick BVMS,MRCVS Awarded by the Board of Directors to the most competent back-up crew or person in the current season.

YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

presented by Dr & Mrs P Claridge An award for a Junior or Young rider aged 21 or under who has given unfailing service to Endurance GB by way of help at rides or assistance in any other way. To be nominated by any member of Endurance GB in writing to the Chairman by 27th October. The Board of Directors will, after due deliberation, choose the recipient on merit.

Horse and rider distance awards can be claimed through the Shop on the Endurance GB website and must be ordered by the 22nd October.

Horse awards are available for 400km, 800km and thereafter in increments of 800km. These can be claimed for any horse with a current competitive horse registration. The following successfully

Rider awards are available in increments of 1000km. These can be purchased by any Full or Associate Member of Endurance GB. The following successfully completed competitive distances are eligible for the awards: •

Any Endurance GB vetted competitive ride

•

Any EHPS vetted competitive ride

•

Any BERA or BHS LDRG vetted competitive ride

•

Any SERC vetted competitive ride

•

Any FEI ride

As this is a rider award, distance achieved riding other people's horses in the above events is also eligible. Only distance amassed whilst a member of Endurance GB or one of its predecessor organisations (EHPS/BERA/BHS LDRG) is eligible.

For further information please contact: Darren Butler darrenbutler@endurancegb.co.uk

endurance news

7

Red Dragon

British Horse Feeds and Golden Paste Company

Endurance Festival

J

anice Cockley-Adams and HS Echo were crowned National Champions after an epic two-day 160km Red Dragon class at British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company Festival of Endurance. Often billed as an end of season party, the iconic Red Dragon ride was hosting not only Endurance GB’s National Championships but the Pony Club Endurance Championships and Welsh Championship. As ever the ride was eventful.

From six starters in the two-day 160km CER

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championships

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Janice says her 13 year old, 15hh pure bred Arabian gelding HS Echo, Luminar Amadeus (RSD Dark Victory/.CA Sabrina) x Epruwetka (Eldon/Euzebia) has come a long way from when she first got him as a six year old. Janice explains:

"I love this sport and the people who do it, so I wanted to finish for all of us."

“Echo and I have had a great year with many new things finishing with us achieving first place in the National Championships. Scared of his own shadow, crewing was challenging as the only way we could crew him was with water in a small saucepan! Patience and trust has got him to this point.”

“The Championship held with the Red Dragon 160km two day class was always going to be tough, but I didn't imagine day two would turn out as it did. Day one was a little too fast into VG 1 but not wanting to lose contact we kept with it. Out on loop two we pulled back over a testing part of the course with steep climbs and descents and a 13km stretch to the vetgate. The day was good from a perspective of temperature but the low cloud and light rain in the morning had made

the grassy downhill stretches extremely slippery and more challenging. Luckily Echo is one of those with "a foot in each corner" and we remained fairly well balanced throughout. The last loop felt like there was less climbing but there was still the last pull up to the top of "the hill". Georgina Vaughan and I came into the venue together and vetted within a minute of each other giving us the perfect set up for day 2. It was at this point that things went awry for the rest of the field. Annette Masterson's and Chris Rendle’s horses were both spun and Annie Joppe's Fantom was colicky overnight which put her out of the competition.

At this point there were three of us still to go out on day two. Abby Chisholm then withdrew following a nasty injury to her foot. Although that left two of us, Georgina felt that on the trot to the start her horse Vlacq Journeyman didn’t feel 100% and withdrew from the competition before the start.

“It was a little emotional going out for 80km solo as this was unknown territory for Echo who had never done this distance alone on day two after such a long ride the day before. Still I knew what I had to do having done the Red Dragon, Montquc and the Scottish National Championships so it was down to me to make sure my boy got round safe and sound. I walked up "the hill" and the view was great, but it was hard work and once at the top we started steady. It took a few km to get into his stride as the sloppy going affected his confidence a little which grew as the time passed. We nearly lost each other at one point as a herd of 20 wild ponies galloped up the hill towards us and passed over the track yards in front. There was plenty of ‘Dragon’ snorting at that point, a little rear and attempt to bolt but we held our nerve and eventually got back on track. During the day, Echo got stronger as the kilometres passed. After vetgate two, I knew we were on the home straight and the Championship was within our grasp. We took it very steady as at this point it became so

Photos courtesy of David Saunders photography

class just Cotswold-based Janice CockleyAdams and HS Echo were left at the start of the second day continuing alone over the 80km to emerge as worthy winners.

important to me to succeed, not just for us but for the organisers, sponsors and everyone who had given up their time to run the event both on the day, and for weeks and months before” “I know it sounds cheesy, but I wanted to succeed for all those Endurance folks who have had it tough through COVID and were out there willing us on through the power of social media. I love this sport and the people who do it, so I wanted to finish for all of us. Thankfully my boy did what was asked of him and after safely walking down "the hill" we started the run home. He felt really good and strong and those last kilometres passed with ears pricked and striding out. We hit the venue and my instinct was to canter in for the folks waiting but with so much at stake we opted for a long flowing extended trot, he felt superb and I was so proud. The vetting felt good and Eva Reichardt my crew who trotted him superbly all day did the final trot with his ears pricked and that was it! I am so proud to be British National 160km Champion and to share this award with my crew husband Iain, Eva and my wonderful Endurance partner HS Echo.”

championships

9

Photos courtesy of David Saunders photography

Red Dragon

A

nnie Joppe reflecting on her experience said: “Total respect to Janice Cockley-Adams for winning the National Championships and riding totally alone on the second day! Thanks to the organisers Jane and John Hudson, the sponsors British Horse Feeds who also supplied crew for us in the shape of Francesca for the day; and thanks to all the other sponsors. Red Dragon as usual was an amazing experience.

The scenery is magnificent, the going is so varied - steep climbs, glorious open canter opportunities, sharp descents, river crossings, stones, ruts and roadwork; just about everything.”

“I was, as usual, anxious that I had prepared Fantom sufficiently especially as he is now 20 years old and did nothing last year. I needn't have worried. We sailed through day one (the hills were pretty gruelling though) with incredible vetting scores and went into the overnight hold in the lead. However, Fantom got a touch of colic in the night and had to receive some buscopan and, although he was bursting to go in the morning, we couldn't. Better safe than sorry. For some reason, the ride felt quite draining this time for both horse and rider and many were vetted out either for lameness or pulse. Perhaps with all the good going some went too fast or perhaps it was just that it was so humid with little wind or maybe something I haven't thought of.”

The 80km Advanced Championship went to Hertfordshire-based Gemma Grodkiewicz and Magical Merlin. Gemma said: “I was full of nerves as we lined up at the venue as this was our first ever group start. I asked Merlin to stay at the back of the pack and take it steady and he was so good.

Soon after the safety car left us we began the climb. I let him jog behind the group for a while but the higher up we got it seemed to get steeper.

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championships

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

On one of the corners, I decided to pull up and walk the rest of the hill, he was already huffing and we had 80km of hilly terrain to cover so I didn’t want to wear him out or risk an injury. Once at the top we met Gail Jupp and her horse Ellie (W L A Elektra) who had also decided to hang back from the pack. Our two horses went well together side by side and sharing the lead. It didn’t take long for the 160km class to catch us up which gave the horses a bit of extra oomph for a while but they were much faster than us over the top of the hills, so eventually they went out of sight. Into the on course vet gate and Merl's heart rate came down quickly as usual.”

both checking out mentally. I got off and walked for a bit to try and help my boy out! When we FINALLY reached the top of that hill we got our mojo back and tried to make up some time along the top and before we knew it we were starting the descent down “the hill” and I was off walking again. Once the hill eased up back on I got and we trotted all the way home sadly passing one of our friends who was walking home due to lameness.

We crossed the line and I may have shed a tear or two into Merlin’s neck. The icing on the cake was passing the final vetting - everyone thought I was going to hug my partner Kev but no, I wrapped my arms round my Merl and gave him a big hug.”

“Back out on course and there was only a minute between myself and Gail so we caught up quickly and continued riding together before Abby Chisholm from the 160km class caught us up as well and we continued as a trio. This loop

Dorset-based Georgie Davis and her registered 15.2hh 14-year-old Welsh Section D Plasbach Twm (Thomas) took the Novice Championship.

They train locally on the Dorset coast over all terrain including beaches, hills and forest tracks.

Georgie said: “Thomas is my absolute horse of a life time. I lost my five year old ex race horse in a tragic field injury whilst I was abroad and had to have him put to sleep over the phone. I was lost.

My mum took me to see many horses but I lost all faith I would find the right horse for me again...

“I received an email about a horse five minutes down the road that fitted the description of the horse I was looking for and agreed to see him reluctantly as I couldn't take much more disappointment. We turned up walked around the corner and there stood a pitch black Welsh cob fat as houses but standing proud I knew instantly, that was him that's my horse.”

was quite a slow one, Abby and I shared gate duties and both decided to walk the slippery road downhill. Into vetgate two and Merl’s pulse came down quickly again to 60bpm when I took it so wanted to get him straight in but unfortunately some chickens appeared in the vetting barn as his pulse was being taken which took it up to 68bpm so we had to represent. This meant I had lost my riding companions as they were five and six mins ahead of me.”

“He had been a field ornament for two years and had only been broken in at nine years old and then deemed dangerous as he would chuck his rider constantly. But we hit it off straight away.

I've worked tirelessly and endlessly to get him to the level of fitness he's at now and we just get each other. I hardly use the reins, I use my voice and he listens to me. This is our first season in endurance together and wow what a year! He's done seven graded rides this year and has always been sound and has always been quick. We competed at Cirencester as part of the Wessex Inter Regional team in the 64km Open class and he aced that. I've never been so proud to work so in partnership with a horse. I couldn't have found a horse as passionate about endurance as myself.”

“Out on the last loop, I knew I had roughly two hours to get back and I was feeling the pressure.

Another slippery hill to get off and walk down heading to Aberedw - I have never got off and walked before but it was now becoming a habit.

At the last crew point I was getting a real sense of we can do this and then Aberedw happened!

That climb was tough and I really missed my ride companions. Every time we thought we had got to the top there was more to go - we were

Barry Jones who also came second in the Northern Novice Championship earned victory as the Novice Championship novice rider and horse section with Son of Zebedee. The Welsh Championship sponsored by Hadley Hargreaves Ltd made a move to Builth Wells from Pembrey Sands. Sarah Ollis and Yawl Hill Pollyanna became Endurance GB’s new Welsh 80km Champions, with Kirsty Wiscombe and Yawl Hill Big Yin in second place.

" The icing on the cake was passing the final vetting" Organiser John Hudson said: “A huge amount of work went into this year’s event and the support we had was tremendous. We would like to express our thanks to our sponsors British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company for their generosity and continued support as sponsors throughout the preparations and to Steve Hughson and his Royal Welsh Showground team and the numerous volunteers who worked so hard and local landowners who welcomed us.”

Other Results Included Little Dragon 80km CER 1st - Victoria Ham & Cwyrtai Sharif 13.5kph (also best condition, best shod & best presented) 2nd - Sam Mowatt & Terminators Dream - 13.5 kph 3rd - Gail Jupp & WLA Elektra Welsh Grassroots Championship 1st - Angie Williams & Portia 2nd - Karen Jones & Julie's Dream Welsh 40km Novice Championship 1st - Suzie Todd & Three Lows Leila 2nd - Maisie Denham & The Red Baron (also the Novice/Novice champions) 3rd - Chris Denham & The Red Countess Welsh 65km Open Championship 1st - Fiona Griffiths & Hope 2nd - Alex Powell & Echo

championships

11

Pony Club

Congratulations Scarlett tell us about yourself: I’m 13 years old I have two ponies at home that I ride called Tansy and Bunny. I am a member of North Shropshire Pony Club and I like to do show jumping, cross country, mounted games and Endurance. Over the past three years my confidence has grown massively as I have been doing longer distances in my endurance, worked on jumping higher fences and am growing a fantastic relationship with my pony Tansy. She is now seven and really growing up. I have been riding since I was around 5/6 years old and have had my lovely RSPCA rescue pony Bunny for 6 years now (since I was 7).

How did you get involved in endurance?

Pony Club

National Champion

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championships

I began Endurance riding because of my mum Rachael who has been doing it for quite a long time. My mum like many people originally thought that endurance was just like a long hack. However, she completed her first 20 mile ride in 1998 and has loved the sport ever since. Bunny was very difficult to keep fit and so endurance has been a great, fun way to keep the weight off her and keep her fit to ride.

Tell us how you have progressed:

A few years ago I met Rachel Judson. She took Bunny around Cheshire Forest Frolic ride and then was going to ride Lexi (mum’s horse) for the Cirencester Open Championship. Lexi needed to increase her distance so I fast forwarded past Grassroots level, my first ride being 40km at The Wirral Ride! I wasn’t told this until we passed the venue when I thought we’d finished. Quite a big ask and I got around well with a Grade 4 result. I then was driven to achieve a Grade One. I got my first Grade One on my first ride of the season in

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

2020 at Cannock Chase on another wonderful pony RSPCA Magic.

What training do you do?

Everything really. I’ve learned the more you do, the more there is to learn and our ponies improve their manners and fitness. The more interesting riding and situations we expose them to, the more they take in their stride. Mounted Games has taught me to be at one with my pony, Jumping has taught me to be balanced with rhythm and straightness, Dressage has taught me how to use my legs more and my hands less, and all these skills are invaluable in Endurance. The better schooled and athletic my pony is the better she does in Endurance.

Tell us about Tansy?

She was rising four when we bought her and was very, very green. When she is unsure she bucks and bronks (and she is very good at it)! So I have had to learn to send her forward and build her confidence slowly. She is a really sweet pony on the ground, always keen to have a cuddle.

How was the Red Dragon for you?

This year was my 3rd time doing the Red Dragon ride. The past two times, I have ridden 48km but this year I rode 54km. The Red Dragon is a beautiful ride with many amazing and unbelievable views. There is no other place in the world quite like it. I had a very nice ride this year – it was my very first time riding alone. I started the ride with a very hyper and excitable pony, Tansy had to watch her friend leave the venue 15 minutes before her. She became a bit crazy, filled with energy trying to call Lexi back, we went through the start with a spring in our step and Tansy spooked at absolutely everything. We trotted proudly up the first hill towards the photographer, I smiled the biggest smile I could. How could I not?

It was beautiful there! After about 10km I pushed Tansy into a steady canter but unfortunately, she’s very spooky, and stopped at a ditch trying to change direction and go around, instead she slipped on wet grass falling down ...on my leg. I got back on, slightly annoyed and found our way to the first crew point. I met my crew-my mum and dad- covered in mud ( on one side ). We continued carefully on, wary not to slip over again and had a very lovely, steady first 34km and were surprisingly tired when we reached the vet gate.

We took our 40mins of hold time to get our breath back and had some yummy snacks to get our energy levels up again. As fast as the vet gate appeared, it was time go again! I tacked up and left the vet gate with a gentle canter up the hill. It was quite stony for a while, then we hit grassy hills and whatever distance we had walked we made up for in an elegant, blissful canter. At the final vetting we waited anxiously as the vet listened to Tansy’s heart rate and stood in hope as I trotted her up…

WE PASSED!

Overall I had an amazing ride and despite riding alone for much of the 54km it was perfect weather and I loved the most amazing scenery! It would be brilliant to be doing it with more young riders which is why I want to sport to grow and grow. To understand the speed and excitement, you have to give it a go.

What does being National Champion mean to you?

Becoming National Endurance Champion feels amazing. I was really hoping for a good result but this was better than I had ever imagined! At the moment I am the only rider in North Shropshire Pony Club who competes in Endurance Riding.

I was hoping to do well so that I can talk more about what endurance is and how it is NOT just a long hack, and promote the sport I love so much to my friends. Endurance riding means working

as a team, with your Crew, your Farrier, your Vet and all your family or friends who help you get through the ride. It works well when you all work together but I just wish I could have a day off school to sleep the day after. Also I have met many many really fun people who all adore their horses whatever distance they do. It is a sport that totally focuses on the health of the pony and horse. The rider just needs to be able to navigate, judge pace, be balanced and enjoy amazing spaces.

For more information on how to get involved in Pony Club Endurance please visit: pcuk.org/sports/endurance/

championships

13

The Riding club

Endurance Championships to the sponsors for our fantastic prizes. Also, a big thank you to my team mates, our horses and our crews. Cumbria Challenge encompasses everything about why I love endurance.”

The 80km Cumbria Challenge CER winner was Jessie McHugh with CFS Eros.

T

he Riding Club Endurance Championships were held at Cumbria Challenge back in September. Five teams of finalists from across the country lined up to contest the 32km track.

This year’s winners by a clear margin were the team from East Yorkshire. Team member Linda Birkitt said: “It was a fabulous ride.

Huge thank you to Penny Pearce and her team of volunteers, landowners, vets, farrier, the technical steward and caterer. Thank you also

14

championships

Chris Wray and Takwenya won the 65km Cumbria Cup. Lorna Mcarthy who completed the 80km ride said “I am so proud of Jacob who just kept on trotting despite only seeing a handful horses all day, and they were all heading in the opposite direction. He may not yet be particularly quick, but he is super tough.

As always, a massive thank you to Amy for crewing and keeping us motivated all day and also to Penny for going ahead with the ride despite low entry numbers – I was really grateful for the opportunity to get this lad up to advanced.”

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Images of the winning Yorkshire team courtesy of Kerry Dawson

Riding Club

Riding Club Endurance Championship Results

THE ORIGINAL DUST-FREE FORAGE

1st East Yorks - 1215.15 Siobhan Shepherd - Park Ettiquette Tricia Heaps - Athlone Georgie Linda Birkitt - Mistletoe Sally Barrett - Arolan

2nd NFRC Defectors - 85.67 Mary Holland - Summer Delight Gillian Hasberry - St Flannans Aguila Rebecca Parsler - Treen Hill Calypso Jim Parsler - Yethersgill Taliesin

3rd Angels of the North - 83.15 Valerie Jean Brown - Two Tone Charlie Joanna Walton - Wannie Line Millie Liz Joyce - Starholm Matilda

Go the Distance with HorseHage

Nikki Parnaby - Celtic Connections Carolyn Charlton - Sheahbeg Lad

4th Elan Valley Riding Club – 81.3 Janette Gilmour - Lownthwaite Vincent Julie Banks - Croftys Springtime Frost Emma Harris - Picanini Jacana

5th Wessex Wanderers - 71.94 Mark Brown - Texas King Clover Robert Shadbolt - Glenwood Knight Hannah Shadbolt - Misty Nikki Manston - Nebo All Magic

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN MARK WESTAWAY AND SON MANUFACTURERS OF HORSE FORAGE

Best turned out - Wessex Wanderers Highpoint Young/Junior rider - Siobhan Shepherd

w w w. h o r s e h a g e . c o . u k 0 1 8 0 3 5 2 7 2 74

Enduro

equine fitness tracker

T

he company’s goal is to bring massmarket hi-tech product experience to the equine industry. By applying cutting edge technology and sustainable manufacturing in a coherent way, the company is committed to delivering easily accessible data insights for all horse owners and equestrian professionals.

Siametric Systems was founded by David Frost and Neil Bailey, who have a passion for all things equine and an extensive background in engineering.

that brings real-time data insights to horse owners and trainers.

The team has a wealth of hi-tech engineering experience between them, developing and delivering Bluetooth wireless connectivity, GPS location and audio solutions to some of the world’s leading mobile and accessory companies including Apple, Samsung, Motorola and Nintendo.

The Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker is their first product to launch in the UK and has already been very well received in the endurance market by riders eager for a reliable wireless solution to monitor their horse’s heart rate in both training and competition.

Following extensive research and by listening to rider’s problems, the company has utilised their experience to bring smart technology to the equine community and offer a wireless solution

The Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker is a gamechanging, affordable simple-to-use solution that brings real-time data insights to help riders and horse owners better understand their horse’s health, wellbeing and fitness on a daily basis.

"the company is committed to delivering easily accessible data insights for all horse owners and equestrian professionals"

16

product news

Location, heart rate, speed and distance, along with key health and fitness indicators are seamlessly delivered via the Enduro FIT mobile app, allowing you to track heart rate and monitor your horse’s health, exercise intensity and performance levels. The Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker provides real time data insights that can be easily shared with your friends, family, trainer, owner or coach.

The Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker includes: 1.

Smart fabric girth sleeve (Enduro GS) - an easy to use smart fabric girth sleeve that is

features | endurancegb.co.uk

Photos courtesy of xxxxxxx xxxxxx

Siametric Systems are go!

lightweight and soft cushioned to prevent rubbing, chafing or snagging; it has no wires, straps or Velcro. Suitable for all equine disciplines, it’s durable, hardwearing and withstands all weather conditions.

Customer Reviews

2.

Smart heart rate sensor (Enduro HR) - a low power Bluetooth wireless heart rate monitoring device with a long battery life.

3.

The Enduro FIT mobile app which can be easily downloaded from App Store or Google Play.

“I’ve been using the Enduro Equine Fitness tracker on my young horse for several weeks. It is so easy to use and is really helping me with his training programme and fitness for competition. I can easily see how his fitness has improved with his recovery rates rapidly improving and his heart rate remaining relatively constant through his session. If I see a higher than usual heart rate I can easily scroll back through the session, pin point on the route where it was and understand why… a steep hill, or one of those ‘monsters in the hedge’! Seeing the consistency during competition has shown me his preparation so far has been appropriate, and it will be of great benefit as he goes through the levels. No wires, no fuss, no problems on my sensitive skinned soul!”

Fit Effectiveness Value for Money Comments

Fiona Bloom The Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker gives you real time instantaneous heart rate, speed, distance and location of your horse throughout the ride PLUS replay and review your rides: •

Date, time and day

•

Duration of the ride

•

Max/min heart rate of your horse during the ride

•

Time spent in each heart rate zone

•

Resting heart rate before exercise

•

Workout distance and speed/pace (max and average)

•

Detailed map/satellite views of your ride

Enduro GS - Smart Fabric Girth Sleeve comes in three different options and is simple to use.

Lightweight and comfortable, it can be fitted in minutes and will not rub, chafe or snag; it has no elastic straps, bulky electronics, exposed fixings, Velcro, clips, wires or protruding electrodes. The sleeve’s smart fabric stretchable design is hardwearing, washable and acts as a barrier to sweat, minimising cross-contamination between horses that are sharing equipment. The design enables the Enduro HR sensor to reliably detect and measure heart rate at rest, during exercise and recovery.

Fit Effectiveness Value for Money Comments “Following our incredible win at Windsor CEI** 120km endurance ride, the Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker was invaluable in monitoring her heart rate during the ride and gave us all the information we needed when entering the vet gates. Pleased to report no rubs using the same sleeve for the complete 120k!”

Carol Legg Owner Fit Effectiveness Value for Money Comments

Linda Cowperthwaite Team H Endurance

Fit Effectiveness Value for Money Comments

The Enduro HR sensor is attached to the sleeve using two press stud connectors housed in a soft rubber enclosure for easy fitting and removal. To monitor the horse’s heart rate accurately there must be good electrical contact between the sleeve’s electrodes and the horse's skin.

The Enduro FIT app is simple to use on your smartphone and can be downloaded from Google Play or App Store.

Find out more about this game-changing product at www.enduroequine.com

“I’ve been using the Enduro Equine Fitness Tracker for the past 3 months. It’s so easy to use and the girth sleeve has shown no sign of rubbing the horses. It has been especially useful in the latter parts of our training to optimise the most comfortable speeds for Kracker in our preparation for Royal Windsor Endurance CEI 120km race. For that little bit extra in the fine tuning of his training.

This all paid off with an excellent 2nd place, excellent presentation times that improved at each vet gate and all importantly a happy horse that finished strong and able to continue further if asked.”

Louise Rich Oakleaze Endurance Horses

“I’m very pleased with how much information can be fed back from the Enduro FIT app. It’s really helpful that the heart rate monitor also works on my Garmin watch and it was so useful at Keysoe, being able to see his heart rate drop until the minute his saddle was taken off meaning we knew how he was settling before presenting him to the vetting.

The girth sleeve showed no signs of rubbing throughout the 120km ride and I had a constant reading all day. I’m delighted to have found a heart rate monitor and ride tracker that's so easy to use.”

product news

17

Team H

My

endurace life Name: Linda Cowperthwaite

privilege to ride at Royal Windsor and I have had two very good results there. I miss Barbury rides but very much enjoyed the new ride at Well Vale, Lincolnshire Wolds.

Endurance GB group: Lancashire Group

Best result so far?

Rider Profile

Sponsors: I am supported by TopSpec Feeds, Flair Strips and Vale Brothers that include Thermatex, Harry Dabbs saddles & KBF99

How did you first get involved in endurance?

My Aunt Evelyn Helme took her Arab/Welsh horse, who she shared with my Mum to a local pleasure ride in the village a long time ago in 1985. A few more pleasure rides followed then Evelyn stepped up to 25miles CTR’s, which I went along to crew. At the time I was busy with Pony Club and show jumping on my pony but this endurance stuff began to look quite interesting.

Where and when was your first endurance ride?

In 1985 Evelyn took me on a local pleasure ride.

It had rained a lot the previous days and I got to swim with my pony over a flooded stream.

It was the most exciting thing I had ever done.

We continued the remainder of the ride wet through but I didn’t care, I was hooked. What followed was to enter as many local pleasure rides for the rest of the season. Competitive endurance began in 1986 with Aunt Evelyn, her son Gary and I and this was the beginning of the Helme family involvement in endurance (hence my team being called Team H).

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spotlight

First endurance horse or pony?

My first endurance pony was a 13.2hh Welsh/ TB grey called Pepper. He came alive once we took up endurance but equally with this extra excitement at the start of the season, he had the biggest bucks.

Top horse so far?

I’m lucky to have ridden many good horses but the special one will always by Maraday Mystaron. A very sharp quirky 16hh Anglo Arab. A chance buy, I backed him and took him all the way from Novice to CEI 3 * and successful trips to Europe and in 2012 for three months was FEI World number one in the Combination rankings and we finished 3rd at the close of 2012.

Favourite ride in the calendar?

Always love Cirencester, I get goosebumps just turning into the entrance. I love Kings Forest, as I use this ride (Spring or Summer) to step up a horse’s challenge. So, if we pull it off its always memorable. I enjoyed Seacliff Scotland as the ride was a challenge over 120km but the route was so varied and beautiful. It’s always a

Being ranked number one in the FEI World combination ranking for a time and finishing 3rd at the close of 2012

Most challenging ride so far?

Every FEI or CER is challenging. The years put in to gain Advanced level followed by months of training and focused effort to get to the starting line. It can become all-consuming for what at times seems little reward as it so easily taken from you. Especially in the UK we have so few chances to qualify for Championships. This can be soul destroying and it is very hard to pick yourself up after a FTQ. I feel hurt how the other disciplines look down on endurance. We carry the burden of the bad side of endurance but in reality, we care for our horses so much.

Your best endurance moment?

Every time I complete a ride is a special moment. Leersum in The Netherlands was a very special moment. It was a 160km and taking Ron to Europe for the first time and us being the only Brits, I rode far too cautiously on the first loop and found myself at the back of the field. I received a talking to before phase two from my crew to get my act together. Phase six found me racing with two others for 3rd place.

Ron never faltered and picked up to race across the line ahead of the others. So, achieving 3rd place, an unexpected racing finish, he looked

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Novice will work over Winter and go to pole clinic and hopefully a little show jumping. We also use on a weekly basis a water treadmill that’s at shoulder height

Live in/live out?

Lancashire is often wet so ours are often in at night but in Summer it's mixed to out at night in during the day to out all the time.

What do you feed your horses?

amazing and finished strong. It was a privilege to take a horse from unbacked to compete in Europe in a CEI ***.

Your biggest endurance mistake?

Riding lower distances too fast when building up to a race ride. Experience has taught me follow my gut feeling and be selective on the ground and don’t over train

Remaining endurance ambitions?

I remain focused on gaining Krakatau international FEI Championship team selection.

He’s an improving horse so fingers crossed we make Team GB one day.

Which horses are currently in Team H?

Maraday Mystaron (Ron) who is retired but still the boss and competed to CEI ***.

Krakatau (Kracker) 15.3h 11 yr old Arabian Gelding who is ready for his step up to CEI *** Summer Breeze 14.2h 11 yr old Arabian mare.

Has completed to CEI * but we are to keep her at National competition only.

BHS Sultan (Freddie) Advanced and competed

up to 100km.

Newberry’s Ditto is this season Novice. A 15.3h 7yr old grey Appaloosa / Arab. His sire is Rowberton Casanova who I competed to Advanced, so this boy is very special to me.

Where and how do you train your horses?

At home we have a horse walker & lunge pen and the neighbours have an Olympic sized arena. Locally the roads are busy and no bridleways. We use the roads at the beginning of the season for a couple of months but after that we keep roadwork to a bare minimum. We are lucky to have the beach 30 minutes’ drive away. This gives us a fantastic all year-round training ground. It allows for long periods of steady canter (I never gallop) to also work in the sea in various depths and speeds. Plus, we have a country park near to get in some hill training plus once we step up training, we use Craven County ride. This is always excellent ground and amazing long hill canters. As well as the good uphill pulls the downhill section really help strengthen them. I also do a lot of schooling and pole work with them all. If time allows, I do like to attend pole clinics and dressage competitions especially over the winter months. This season’s

TopSpec and they have supported Team H endurance for nine years now. We use the complete range and our horses always have a good top line, good condition and are never fussy feeders. They all especially love the TopSpec Linseed Mash. We always offer it when travelling, arriving at events and during the competition as it always keeps them hydrated.

Any special footwear/shoes?

I don’t like using caged stirrups as I feel restricted in my lower leg. My foot wear can vary between horses. On Ron I always wore long boots the others Ariat heel boots and leather chaps. Last month I treated myself to a pair of Sergio Grasso Endurance trainers with chaps. Love them, super light and comfortable.

I used them on my recent 166km race and couldn’t fault them.

What saddle/bridle do you use?

Bridle: We use BioThane plastic Bridles. We mainly use our local supplier Pioneer Endurance but Ditto has a big head and is quite sensitive around his ears. So, he has an EquiTime bridle from Italy.

Saddle: I like a simple GP saddle, we are at most only in the saddle 40km a time, so don’t feel the need for a specialist endurance saddle. I use Harry Dabbs future/Performance panel because it allows free movement on the shoulder and trapezius muscle and not too long on the horse's back leaving the lumbar area free. I feel secure and comfortable but most importantly close to my horse.

How do you plan your endurance season?

Our horses come back into work around Christmas time. When we have ride dates, between us we start to plan rides and specific training programs. We try not to get too carried away too early. So at every level we have aims and goals to suit but never rush but always aiming for that 100 miles in a day in the future. Once the horses are at CER level. We pick two-three races and select smaller distance to suit training for that race ride. We never really do too many rides once the horses are at Advanced level. Kracker this season will only do three competitive rides.

What do you eat the night

spotlight

19

before a ride?

If we are staying overnight I will cook for all, it keeps me focused and chilled. Usually, salad and steamed salmon and a chocolate pudding.

How do you keep fit and healthy yourself?

With a full yard at Team H, that keeps me fit but working from home gives a little more flexibility on time. I try to fit in a 5km walk at lunchtime, I find this clears my mind from working on a laptop but gives me time to plan and think over the best horse plans. I have a cross trainer at home and also 5km runs as well as four horses to train.

Who are your crew?

Husband Robert, Aunty & owner Evelyn, friend Susy Rossi and new member this season, Sarah Light. Sarah has also been on a few Novice rides. I’m lucky as I always have lots of offers of crew. Is it my cooking, after rides drinks or my husband's sense of humour when out crewing?

Can you sum up your 2021 season? What were your highs and lows?

We were all set and very keen to make the most of 2021. Being so focused on getting the horses fit was difficult with so many changes in the first half of the season. I like to stick to my original plan because that is the best plan. I have never had so many changes on the ride calendar but looking on the bright side it was outside factors causing the changes to our plans and not horses. An overall high is each horse has improved this season but my personal high was Krakatau’s 2nd place in the CEI 120km ** at Royal Windsor Endurance.

My belief in how I rode the race and how easily Krakatau coped and had improved. Each vet gate his presentation times got quicker and we completed most of the route on our own. I couldn’t fault his performance that day which gave the whole team a sense of achievement.

Who is your endurance sporting hero (human or equine)?

Event rider Tom McEwen, I met him at Blenheim Horse Trials. Watching him cross country was amazing, such skill but he was so kind and always had a little pat for his horse.

As a child I can still remember watching Milton on the TV show jumping. Such happy memories sat round as a family watching the show jumping greats. As well as Tom (think I was still star struck after meeting him at Blenheim HT), I have enormous respect for the lady jockeys at present. Names such as Holly Doyle, Rachael Blackmoor & Bryony Frost all hitting the headlines not because they are women but because they are at the top of their game and breaking records in an extremely demanding and high risk sport.

20

spotlight

How would you sell the sport to a friend to encourage them to start?

It’s a sport for all the family and friends to be involved. We are three generations of endurance riders. I taught my stepdaughter, Emma to ride and she competed up to 64km.

Back as a Junior I rode with my cousins; - Beccy, Donna & Lucy Helme. (Donna, Lucy & myself have all been Endurance National Champions and part of Team GB at some time). It won’t be long till we see their children out competing in endurance. Very much in endurance your final result is a team result and therefore everyone can take credit for the final result and more involvement and making it more exciting for all involved. Plus I find endurance people very friendly and so willing to share experiences.

If you could choose one of the iconic rides, Tevis, Quilty or South Africa’s new Ride The Wild Coast 350km 5-day challenge, which would it be and if you could pick any endurance horse from history who would it be on?

What have you learned about yourself competing in endurance?

Remain level headed and think of the bigger picture. Stay calm, getting excited causes you to ride too fast and make mistakes as your eye is off the ball

What's your endurance philosophy?

With horses you are only as good as your last result and don’t get too big headed and think your horse is unbeatable. Cherish the positives, no matter how small. Nurture the small gains with your horse and later you will reap the rewards and the relationship between horse and rider will be stronger. If you give your horse time to develop and not be pushed. Even if I have had a bad season, I will take as many positives as possible through the winter. Winter is long and any negative thoughts will only eat away at you over the winter months and you start off the following season on a bad footing.

We do this for enjoyment remember!

The Tevis on Persik would be my first choice but on such a great horse I could follow up the following year with the Quilty then the Ride The Wild Coast.

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Equine diet

Feeding the

Endurance Athlete

E

ndurance is a highly competitive environment that requires a horse and rider to travel a long distance.

Endurance rides can be graded or competitive. Graded endurance rides are set at one speed over varying terrain, the result is calculated from the average speed and the horse's recovery rate. Competitive endurance is a race of multiple riders starting together at a start line and successfully reaching the finish line first and passing all vet checks to ensure your horse is healthy to continue. This sport requires stamina and the determination from both parties to be successful. During the endurance rides there are veterinary checks beginning, sometimes middle depending on the distance and at the end of the race to ensure your horse is healthy, able to continue and monitor their recovery times. The two main factors to maintain your fit and healthy endurance horses are nutrition and training. Feeding the endurance horse can be one of the most complicated equine athletes to feed.

Inspired by the increased demand for specialised horse feed, Rowan Barbary offer tailored advice to suit the needs of your horse or pony, with their welfare always being paramount

performance particularly close to race-days.

You can still feed lucerne hay but better as a chaff mixed in with a feed instead of the main source of fibre. High protein in an endurance horse's diet can increase the body temperature resulting in sweating alongside urine production.

This will require the horse to drink more regularly and may increase the likelihood of becoming dehydrated before competition.

Providing hay after an endurance race can

benefit the horse as the dry hay is more likely to encourage the horse to drink.

Slow release energy is crucial for stamina and the best way to provide your horse with slow release energy is to provide a high fat diet.

By gradually introducing fat to a horse's diet during basic training will allow the horses’ metabolism to adapt to utilising fat instead of glycogen. Horses introduced to a high fat diet

Good quality forage is the forefront of any equine diet. Forage can provide slow-release energy, protein and some vitamins and minerals.

Slow-release energy is crucial for a successful endurance horse. Forage sources can be good quality grass, meadow hay and legume hay.

Lucerne (Alfalfa) hay is high in energy, however it is also high in protein which can have a negative impact on the endurance horse’s

22

nutrition

features | endurancegb.co.uk

"A balanced diet is important for horses to be able to maintain body functions" for longer periods before competing have been known to utilise the fat to a greater extent than those introduced a short period before competing. Horses' normal diet on average usually contains between 3-5% fat. Any diet that contains 10-20% fat is classed as a high-fat diet.

Rowen Barbary horse feeds designed a fully balanced, high calorie mash with high levels of oils (15%) alongside key anti-oxidants to provide an excellent source of slow release energy.

The Solution Mash is high in fibre and these super fibres have an excellent water holding capacity which is ideal for Endurance horses.

The Solution Mash does not contain cereals or molasses which results in low starch and sugar.

It also contains yeasacc and herbs for digestion and to promote overall health and vitality.

Good body condition is vital for performance and health, however it is common for endurance horses to appear more lean and skinny at the higher levels of endurance.

Endurance horses will expend a large amount of energy through daily training and endurance competitions, so it is important to ensure they are meeting their requirements. Forage and fat are great for slow release energy however, starch is also a source of dietary energy. If you are looking to include starch in the diet look for grains and cereals that have been processed as this will help to reduce the amount of starch and reduce the risk of starch overload into the large intestine. Endurance riders prefer to feed a feed containing soya hulls or beet pulp to provide their horses with high fibre and low starch. Some horses lose condition when travelling long hours or staying away at a competition due to stress. An increase in stress can lead horses to consume less and move around more, which could result in their stomach acidity decreasing in pH and increasing the risk of ulceration. Gastric Ulcers can also be present in high performance horses due to

the early onset of fatigue which explains the importance of the correct diet and suitable training. Rowen Barbary horse feeds specifically formulated Acti-Soothe to target gastric health and help to reduce anxiety, which helps to support digestion and maintain gastric health.

It contains a unique blend of ingredients associated with soothing and protecting the stomach lining, controlling the stomach pH, helping to reduce anxiety in horses prone to stress and also help lessen the risk of Gastric Ulcers developing.

A balanced diet is important for horses to be able to maintain body functions. It is more important for Endurance horses as they require a higher amount for recovery as well as antioxidants such as Vitamins E and Selenium to maintain the immune system, aid recovery and help the muscles endure the hard workload.

Vitamins and Minerals can be supplemented if the feed does not provide essential vitamins and minerals.

A healthy diet will also include a fresh, clean supply of water as it is important to maintain hydration more so when a horse is in training and during competition. Mashes or adding water to a feed to ensure your horses is drinking an adequate amount. Maintaining cleanliness of water troughs and buckets will encourage your horse to drink. Encouraging your horses to drink when they have an opportunity not only maintains their health but also during competition and post-exercise will help aid recovery. Electrolytes can also be added to a mash or water to replenish the salt in the body but also stimulates the horse to drink water.

The most effective electrolytes supplements have an equal balance of Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Chloride. Electrolytes can be used before, during and after competition.

Rowen Barbary Re-Hydrate helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. It includes all necessary minerals on a water soluble glucose base to aid recovery for optimum performance.

nutrition

23

The story of

Warrens Hill Chayze 24

spotlight

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Photos courtesy of Marco van Zelst

A European Champion

Chayze at two years old

C

hayze’s story starts near the Welsh borders in Monmouth where the Warrens Hill stud is located, owned by Lesley Dunn, writes Harry Ingram.

Lesley has always had a special eye for performance bloodlines. Her eye didn’t let her down this time, crossing her performance sire, and pure-bred Arabian, Chatanz with the Arab Marathon winning Anglo Arab, Cathy de Boisset, previously owned by Sarah Kelleway. Cathy herself was by the famous French sire Dormane and contributed a sturdy and strong frame. Sadly Cathy only managed to foal three foals before passing on although her bloodline continues in Kosmkat and his offspring.

His introduction to endurance was mostly in the North West, split between Cheshire and Lancaster where I was at university. Chayze was staying at the Helmes’ yard and walks around the hills above Lancaster towards the Trough of Bowland interspersed with regular schooling and trotting on the beach became part of life. Most of my time was focused on my older horse, Bronze Nahdir (also by Chatanz) at the time and on reflection that probably benefited Chayze.

His early qualifiers went smoothly. He could be a handful on the ground but as soon as we were on board it all seemed to fit into place. Over these

"There were plenty of good days in the UK "

Having trawled France looking for our next horse to go to the top and had many a failed vetting, including some who slipped through the net such as Siam du Barthas - we ended up closer to home. When we met Chayze he was a fouryear-old colt and we were immediately struck by his economic canter and length of stride. He had good bone, a well-proportioned body and good muscle coverage. He was in fact hard to fault and, needless to say, the deal was done. Lesley and I talked about taking semen before castrating Chayze but both decided it was too much of a gamble and very expensive - oh how we regret that now!

Chayze had been handled as a youngster so backing was very easy. A fortnight of dedication in my summer holiday and I was on. We progressed to riding around Pat Guerin’s arena and being carefully guided around the block. He was easy going but strong-willed. A theme that was set to continue.

Chayze arrives in Cheshire to start work with Harry

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25

first few years his body changed and developed. I recall he was still croup high for quite a long time and I was often teased that his build resembled that of a hairy cob and not the Anglo-Arab I had purchased!

Our first FEI ride took us to Haywood Oaks in 2015 and we landed first place. Reflecting on our experience in these early rides, I think I took our results for granted as Chayze seemed to effortlessly move up the levels. We were however beginning to understand that he was an internal worrier. He didn’t always eat away from home, he struggled to switch off in the vet gate, pacing around and he pulled to ride! His first 120km at Windsor was a wake-up call - after each loop we had come in first place and I was riding with HH Sheikh Nasser. This wasn’t the game plan for his first 120km and after a small cut in his mouth from pulling we had to go bitless for the third loop.

Our white knuckle ride ended at the final vet gate - eliminated on metabolics although to this day I think that was a harsh call! Too much too soon, perhaps? Our next attempt at the distance was more successful, 1st place at King’s Forest. The distance wasn't the challenge but keeping him calm and his mind on the job was.

The end of his first FEI season we took the opportunity to go to Madine with the development squad. Worried about his eating, we tried lots of things to whet the appetite of this fussy eater. Despite our best efforts, a short hack the day before the race and Chayze tied up.

It wasn’t the first time so we weren’t too alarmed but of course, no race for us. Back to the drawing board, every step was picked apart. Our first 160km was at the first Euston Park to return in 2016. This was a turning point for Chayze. The distance suited him, a steady, consistent pace and he never doubted going away from home. We rode with Lorna Kidson and her horse Sheer Bliss all day. Chayze was much happier in company and ate and drank without any issues. I recall vet Kieran O'Brien commenting that Chayze was a special horse and one of the best competing there that weekend - that meant a lot!

Disaster struck during a trip to Brussels but Harry and Chayze returned the following year to secure 16th position at the Europeans

There were plenty of good days in the UK but when attempting another trip abroad in 2016 for the test run of the Europeans in Brussels, disaster struck a couple of kilometres into the race once again. We really thought we had cracked it, we’d diagnosed and treated ulcers, we had a regular exercising routine, made changes to his diet, upgraded to a small lorry and travelled Chayze with a friend. So bad was this tie up that he was on fluids in the ‘crash box’ from 7am to 7pm. The kindness of the treatment vet Marc Maillet, Frans Art and the organiser Pierre Arnold will stay with me forever. We were forced to leave Chayze in Brussels for two weeks to recover. Leaving a competition with an empty lorry was an awful feeling.

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spotlight

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

The following year I was seconded with work to Luxembourg. I regularly flew back to the UK, perhaps even fortnightly to keep the horses in training and Amy Gibson kept them ticking over in my absence. Soon the craving for endurance grew and I sought out the nearest endurance yard. Carmen Romer’s stables are in the south of the Netherlands near Maastricht and only a few hours away from Luxembourg over the Ardennes.

I would occasionally hire a car and drive over to train with her.

I was determined to make competing abroad work. We decided to take Chayze out to Carmen’s and leave him in her capable hands in the run up to Fontainebleau with me visiting most weekends. Despite our nerves he made the journey ok and we managed to get him into regular exercise without tying up. Fontainebleau was then just a five hour drive from Carmen’s and so we had removed a lot of stress from travelling.

This was the first time Alice, my now wife, had seen Chayze compete. She commented that she had never seen a horse race without urinating and barely eating all day which alarmed her slightly.

Despite this he had an impeccable vet card and rode strong all day, beating top French horses without pushing. We had conquered what we

never thought was possible.

with Chayze but questioned whether we had the resources to do it time after time. The next championships in 2018 was in Tryon in the US. Even before we found out the astronomically high cost, we had ruled out trying to take Chayze.

Spanish rider and trainer Jaume Punti Dachs (Juma), had approached us after the Europeans, at the time we dismissed it but as winter progressed we started to think long and hard about it.

I occasionally visited Brussels with work and remember taking a detour to drive through the Bois de la Cambre to come to terms with the previous harrowing experience. We were on the list for selection for the Europeans at the same venue in 2017 but we knew it wouldn’t be easy. I was now back in the UK and Chayze was in training at home. However, we had a system that worked for us and so three weeks before the race we sent Chayze out to Carmen’s again.

She completed his training and we met him at the venue. It was a big risk, but we put our trust in Carmen and amazingly Chayze stepped up and put in an incredible performance - 16th place. It worked for him riding in a team, he relaxed, ate and drank and switched off in the vet gates. For the final vetting, by chance, we were sent to Marc Maillet who was working as a line veterinarian this time. When he told us we had passed I don't think there was a dry eye in the house - a total turn of events from just a year before.

I miss Chayze dearly and to this day I question if we came to the right decision. The day before travelling Chayze to Spain, Juma asked me to take him for a 40km canter. This seemed like the opposite of what we had been doing, and had been told to do when travelling, but it worked.

I also noticed Chayze had a choice of different forage in the lorry to travel with. Just a week later Chayze won his first 160km in Spain with Angel Soy Coll as rider.

In 2019 we had the pleasure of seeing Chayze run at Euston Park for the Europeans. I had a lump in my throat all day, I hadn't come to terms with the fact Chayze was no longer our horse. That said we were overjoyed to see him do well and for Lesley to see this herself first hand. We saw Juma after the race and he told us how they had let him down and he was capable of bigger and better things. His recoveries that day weren't that good and Chayze was pulling them around the vet gate, akin to our experience at Fontainebleau.

2020 saw Chayze win Monpazier with Juma's wife, Maria Alvarez Ponton. This time they had cracked it - Chayze had mellowed and was fully focused on the job at hand. Whatever they were doing was working and I think Chayze enjoyed going to the races with his pals in tow. All Chayze ever wanted was a friend that wouldn't leave him.

Selling Chayze was never part of the plan but we did question his longevity if we had to jump through so many hoops in order to get him to the start line abroad. We knew it was possible

Angel Soy Coll and Chayze winning the 2021 European Championships in Ermelo

Photo courtesy of Murielle Mulder

Then in Pisa earlier this year Chayze was different, he was happy, relaxed but still with the Chayze edge that separated him from the competition.

Apart from Monpazier, Chayze has been ridden

by Angel exclusively. I have seen first-hand the care that Angel and Juma's team provide to Chayze and was able to get to a point of no regrets, just pure pleasure in seeing him do so well.

When we saw him cross the line first in Ermelo Alice and I were in complete disbelief. Juma always goes out of his way to tell us that we share in Chayze's results, but this was their victory. Under his watchful eye he has made the impossible possible. Chayze is now a seasoned pro, but still has the fire in his belly that he did as a young colt. Six wins from 14 starts makes Chayze a very special horse who takes a piece of our heart wherever he goes. I know this story isn't over and we can't wait to see what he does next.

Thank you Juma, Maria and family for taking such good care of him and congratulations Lesley for breeding a EUROPEAN CHAMPION!

spotlight

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Equine athsma

causes are everywhere

A

pproximately 80% of active sport horses are challenged with some degree of Equine Asthma. Shocking as that may sound, it really shouldn't be given that causes of respiratory challenges exist in 100% of the environment and activities in which our horses live and participate.

Some horses have a genetic predisposition for asthma, but otherwise it's an occupational disease, explains sporthorse veterinarian Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren, DVM, PhD, ECEIM. "Environment, stresses of training and competition which can lower immunity, and mingling with other horses, are all risk factors for Equine Asthma."

The Environment

"Dust" is the innocent sounding description for the main causes of asthma. There's the dust you can see, and the dust you can't see -- under 5 microns

"Horses were designed to live outside, but many horses spend 23 hours a day in the barn."

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horse health

Article provided by Haygain, manufacturers of High Temperature Hay Steamers, The Forager Slow Feeder and ComfortStall Sealed Orthopedic Flooring. Words by Kim F Miller in size and invisible without a microscope.

Horses' natural respiratory defense mechanisms can usually handle larger particles. It's the invisible particles that pose the greatest risk because they can evade these defences and deliver tiny bits of mould, bacteria and other irritants and allergens deep into the lungs.

Unfortunately, even a meticulously maintained yard has loads of microscopic irritants, much of it from forage. That's true even when the forage has high nutrient value and looks and smells fresh and clean to a knowledgeable horseman.

That's why Dr. Van Erck-Westergren includes barn visits in caring for her patients, many of whom are referred for further study when respiratory challenges persist after traditional treatments.

or having nasal discharge, but they clearly don't feel well. That can often be linked to the amount of contaminants growing inside the building.

"Horses were designed to live outside, but many horses spend 23 hours a day in the barn. Living inside, they're exposed to 50 times more inhalable irritants! Even if they live outside, if they're getting hay with contaminants, it's still a problem."

Even the weather can impact horse's respiratory health. In 2020, Dr. Van Erck-Westergren noted that Europe experienced particularly warm weather and earlier in the spring than normal.

"That corresponded to a record number of respiratory cases, as did record pollen levels with record numbers of asthmatic patients.

"I look at the horse and his environment," explains the partner in the Equine Sports Medicine Practice in Waterloo, Belgium. "We do measurements of dust levels and samples of contaminants. Some are easy to see. Have you seen someone sweep dust from the barn aisle, then stash that in the horse's stall? Or seen mould stains on barn walls or ceilings?"

Sick Building Syndrome

"A condition called Sick Building Syndrome exists in human medicine and it can apply to horses, too," she continues. "They may not be coughing

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Photos courtesy of IndiePics

Just breathe

"A Canadian study found a correlation between the temperature and humidity and worsening symptoms of equine asthma. And global warming is having an effect because there is a shorter or non-existent period when there is a layer of frozen ground. That all affects the number of contaminants, including fungi, mould and bacteria found in soil, in which hay or straw is grown."

Hay & Bedding

Two ubiquitous yard elements, hay and bedding, are major contributors to equine asthma. Dr. Westergren "strongly advises" all her clients to get a Haygain High Temperature Hay Steamer because it reduces up to 99% of the fine, respirable particles and kills fungi, bacteria and yeast in hay. Ample scientific studies demonstrate the benefits of killing the fungi/mould.

"When it comes to preventative medicine, hightemperature steaming is something that speaks for itself over time," she continues. "That's why you don't see many Haygain Hay Steamers for sale second-hand. Once horse owners adopt it, they don't go back."

As for bedding, first consider flooring that can be disinfected. ComfortStall Sealed Orthopedic Flooring, by Haygain, is an ideal option that comes with built-in cushion so that bedding is only needed to absorb urine. Less bedding equals less respirable dust.

For what bedding is needed, wood shavings are good because they contain terpene, a natural antiseptic. Cardboard and paper shavings are cleaner options. Straw, however, can foster bacteria and fungal growth.

Beyond improving the air quality in the home barn, being mindful of equine asthma risks while away from home is equally important. Letting horses mingle with each other can transmit

infectious respiratory diseases. Travel is prime time for inhaling harmful particles if horses have their nose tucked into unhygienic hay on the way.

Weather and genetic disposition are factors outside of the horse owner's control. But reducing respiratory risks in the horse's home and away environments can go a long way toward helping prevent Equine Asthma.

Preventative Measures 1. Make sure there's ventilation in the barn. That means circulation and renewal of the air. If there's no renewal, moisture will accumulate and foster contaminant growth.

Cobwebs indicate there isn't enough ventilation because spiders won't make them where there's any breeze.

2. Reduce dust: the fine dust that can be inhaled and lodge in the airways and deep in the lungs.

3. Look for signs of mould on walls, everywhere and especially on walls near stored hay.

4. Look at floor mats: specifically, what is growing between and underneath them. Urine accumulation can make it really dangerous and gross. It's awful for horses and people. Stables don't have to be sterile, but they do need to be clean."

Dream big!

Soar above

the clouds

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member

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T

he ongoing Covid pandemic has been responsible for curtailing every activity and putting a hold on the ambitions of many Endurance GB members.

Despite a few of her plans going awry due to the past difficult year and a half, Fiona Kearton continues to work hard to reach her goals.

Way back in 2018, Fiona and her beautiful Arabian, Valeo had ably assisted the England team to their Silver medal place at the Home Internationals.

The selection for the Home International Team came about as Fiona was determined to 'dream big' after she had returned from an endurance working holiday of a lifetime during 2017.

Fiona told me that at the beginning of 2017 she found herself feeling uninspired and in a bit of a rut. Searching for some motivation, she found herself regularly trawling the internet for an 'endurance groom vacancy'. During one of these searches, the ideal vacancy jumped off the screen.

A dream job! Fiona instantly knew that she HAD to go to New Zealand and ride endurance Arabians on a huge, hilly sheep farm. All of the communication with her new employer was done via Messenger and Fiona confessed it was more than a little strange to be reorganising her whole life, preparing to travel around the world to meet and work for somebody that she had met on the internet! On the 8th March 2017, Fiona Kearton left Newcastle Airport, bound for Auckland. Not REALLY knowing exactly what was in store.

Arriving safely in Auckland on the 11th March, Fiona caught the intercity bus and travelled out to a beautiful and remote place called Murumuru Farm, high in the Ruatit hills, near Raetihi.

Murumuru roughly translates to 'above the clouds' and that pretty much sums the location up, as it is 610m above sea level. Fiona told me that whilst travelling through this new country, it made her feel that the world was suddenly much bigger and it opened up a whole new set of possibilities for her. She met her new 'boss', Ashley Cole, who although small in stature, is one seriously tough

Fiona found herself falling in love with Murumuru and its incredible sights.

cookie - she has to be, as along with her husband Ash. Ashley runs approximately 1100 hectares and practically single-handedly tends the stock which number around 8,200 Poll Dorset x Romney lambs and Angus cattle whilst husband Ash maintains the tracks, fencing and buildings. They also produce manuka honey, having many hives on their land. As well as this, Ashley breeds and rides award winning endurance Arabians - This is where Fiona comes in.....

Fiona's first week in Murumuru was eventful as she was gently broken in to her new lifestyle with two undulating 10km rides on her first day. Day two encompassed two undulating 32km rides at 15kmph. Luckily the Holmbros saddle that her hosts favoured had a handle, so she could hold herself on, as she rapidly discovered she was nowhere near as fit as she had thought! "I am in pain, therefore I am alive" was Fiona's mantra for the first few days!

Day three was spent experiencing the Murumuru hillls on the quad with Ashley. The going was really tricky as there were lots of landslips due to the heavy rainfall. Fiona was in complete awe of how skilled Ashley was at handling the quad bike and the way that she worked her dogs to move sheep.

Before long, Fiona found herself falling in love with Murumuru, its remoteness and its incredible sights and sounds. She loved having her breakfast every morning looking out at Mount Ruapehu, riding beautiful horses in an amazing landscape and I guess it isn't every day that whilst riding out you see a helicopter moving beehives around the bush - and as Fiona squinted harder, she realised there was a man dangling from the end of the rope

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with the hive! The risk must be worth it for the precious Manuka honey the bees produce.

too close to the edge as it was a long way down!

"The smells and sounds of the beautiful New Zealand bush are something that Fiona said will stay with her for a very long time"

Following this ride, the 80km horses had a holiday, so Fiona and the others worked some of the younger horses. The riding was fantastic and the scenery stunning. Ash had bulldozed into the sides

of the steep hills to make them rideable but it was still not without risk and you wouldn't want to get

Northern Open Championship 2021

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member

Having arrived at Murumuru towards the end of the season, a lot of the focus was on getting the older horses ready for the National Championship but Fiona did get the opportunity to take part in one competitive 40km ride. The tracks on the 40km were great going with very varied terrain and fantastic scenery. The ride was split into two 20km distances, with a vet check and rest halfway through which was brilliant for the young horses. Fiona rode her favourite horse, Waseem.

Waseem is a very handsome Arab, an honest type, very light and responsive to ride and so surefooted, as are all horses at Murumuru - they need to be to negotiate the hillsides. Back at the farm, if she wasn't at competitions or working hard, (as there was lots and lots of sheep work), Fiona would get to ride a few horses each day on the fantastic hills.

In mid April, the National Championships were held near Taupo, North Island and this was to be Fiona's first experience of an FEI event. Fiona said she found the strapping she did at these competitive rides a very valuable experience. The Murumuru team arrived the day before vetting and Fiona joined an enthusiastic group setting up the vet lanes in the rain. The weather cleared and the white lanes and huge hold area looked awesome, with gazebos for gear and corrals for horses. Team Murumuru had three horses competing in the 160km. The ride started at 3am and with headtorches fully charged, the riders set off into the darkness. Fiona was one of three strappers back at base, making sure they were ready for each horse arriving back off the loops and she thoroughly enjoyed being on the lookout for their combinations arriving and then all hands were on deck to get the horses cooled off and heartrate down, ready to present to vet. Fiona clearly remembers thinking, "I want to do this, I want to ride 160km!"

Photo courtesy of Andrew Ray

The first weekend sees Fiona's first experience of 'strapping' (or crewing) for Team Murumuru.

The Team arrived at the venue with six horses to compete in an 80km ride. Fiona found the professionalism somewhat overwhelming but was beyond proud to wear her Murumuru uniform and was soon in the swing of her strapping duties, which involved having everything organised for the combinations as they came in to vet; lead ropes, heart rate monitors, plenty of water for cooling and drinking and making sure the kettle was on for the riders in the hold. All six of the super horses completed safe and sound and Fiona learned the importance of doing a good trot up.

The smells and sounds of the beautiful New Zealand bush are something that Fiona said will stay with her for a very long time. She felt a real sense of belonging and firmly believes that there are certain people you are destined to meet in life. Ashley's standards were incredibly high and when Fiona arrived at her farm she just knew that she was going to have her bar raised. Ashley's attention to detail was sometimes intense and Fiona can still hear her voice in her head telling her to do things better. She learned some tough lessons during her time at Murumuru but is so grateful to have met, lived with and worked with Ashley as she couldn't fail to be inspired by her and Ashley instilled in Fiona a dogged determination, focus and motivation to achieve her own goals.

Ashley's husband Ash was often in another valley

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On her return to the UK, Fiona was fired up with determination to reach her goals.

working hard on his digger. He wasn't a big talker but had some marvellous stories to tell about New Zealand history and culture. Fiona very much appreciated the two of them opening their home to her, making her feel welcome and part of the family. They even very generously lent her their nice motor to go on sight seeing trips on many occasions around the North Island, where Fiona would stock up on 'townie' treats, such as chocolate and she would grab a takeaway coffee!

As the endurance season began to tail off into the New Zealand winter, it was all too soon time to return to the UK. Fiona knew it was time to go as she had started to think of her two horses, dog and boyfriend back home (and knowing us horsey folk, probably in that order!!) and the endurance season back in the UK was by then in full swing.

Although very sad to be leaving Murumuru and the Coles, Fiona's goals were now crystal clear and she was full of a renewed inspiration and energy so was keen to get back and "get on with it" with her horses and her sheep. As it happens, her return was delayed by a couple of days, as the roads to Raetihi were closed due to snow in July. The roads opened again and Fiona was given a lift to the bus that would take her to the

airport. Holding back the tears and with hugs all round, Fiona jokingly told me that she had tried to squeeze the two billy goat kids that she'd 'adopted' into the car but reckoned they probably wouldn't fancy the plane trip.... So she left them behind, to run free and cause mischief for Ashley.

Fiona still misses Murumuru and the inspirational people she met there. The months that she spent at the Farm 'above the clouds' and the lessons she learned there are a huge part of her current driving force and she plans to revisit one day in the future, to let the incredible vista from high in the Ruatit hills take the breath out of her lungs again.

On her return to the UK, Fiona was fired up with determination to reach her goals. After the silver medal at the Home Internationals she signed up for the 2020 Mongol Derby! However, plans to race 1000km across the Mongolian Steppe were unfortunately dashed, as sadly for the past two years running this has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Always ready for a challenge, recently Fiona and Valeo have been on a 4 day adult 'Cowboy Camp' run by Guy Robertson Horsemanship. They have

been working and manoeuvring cattle, building their stamina, strength and straightness and really testing Valeo's responsiveness, brakes and acceleration but most importantly having great fun together!

Back to endurance and at the beginning of July this year, Fiona and Valeo completed their very first 100km FEI 1* Endurance race at Windsor, coming in with an impressive 4th placing.

The New Zealand experience has inspired Fiona to always strive to attain her dreams. She continues to compete successfully with Valeo and in April 2021 she imported an Arabian colt, bred by her old 'boss' in New Zealand. Xcite Me, (Alf to his friends) has the blood of the best and proven Australian bred endurance horses, Chip Chase Sedaqa and Elphyn Comet. Fiona is looking forward to the future with her beautiful new colt.

She has plans to breed and compete with him.

Fiona says she feels humbled to have something of his calibre in her paddock and the thought of trotting up alongside him in the years to come fills her with pride.

Nikki Parnaby

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33

A

Championships

s SERC’s 2020 Championships had gone missing without trace thanks to the pandemic, it was with bated breath that members started this season – would there be a Champs? If so, where and when? Would enough horses be fit for the longer distances? Would we all be too cautious for there to be much of a social scene?

Scottish Championships

As it turned out, we had nothing to worry about. Although the ride season got off to a slower start than normal, by the time the date and venue for the Championships were announced, competitive rides were well under way and there was noticeable enthusiasm for a September Championships in the Borders. The tiny village of Longnewton near St Boswells on the A68 was already well-known to the Club as a popular ride venue, and route organisers Nicky Bertham Allen and Denise Murrow had big plans to extend their reach for miles on either side, using the pretty valley of the River Teviot and its tributaries.

break new ground

When the weekend of 10-12 September dawned, we’d enjoyed a long spell of glorious weather – dry, windless and sunny. So the ground was rock-hard. Not easy to set up a venue with roped-off areas, or corrals, when your unexpectedly most useful tool is a hammer to help sink posts into the ground. As the arrivals started flooding into the venue for the Friday afternoon 30k and Pleasure classes, we all realised how much we’d missed this sight.

Sure, there had been some permanent changes to procedures, but the basics of horses, riders, crews and helpers were unchanged.

Fionnghuala Paterson Scottish Champion 2021

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serc

Photos courtesy of Kris Clay, TopGearPhotos

A light rain on the Friday night did little for the route except make some bits slippy, as some of us found out the hard way. The endless field margins and grass tracks proved too tempting for others who found the speed caught them out. But the majority of riders had a wonderful time. The remote vetgate found favour – it might have been more of a hassle for crews, but it made for a more varied route and avoided the problem of horses not wanting to leave the venue again.

The 80kER on the Saturday started with six entrants and finished with three – first past the post was Chris Macmillan and her indefatigable Connemara, Coolagoree Glen Thunder. In second place was Gill Brittle with her Trakehner Holme Park Flirt, and in third place came Candy Cameron with her Spanish gelding Chaco.

Also in contention on Saturday was the Novice Championship, a 50k class with seven entrants.

It was won jointly by Alex Playfair with Rihaz al Qamrah and Jill Calder with Oakthwaite Lyra, who rode together the whole way. Alex also won the Junior Trophy and the Novice

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

Joint winners of the Novice Championship- Jill Calder and Alex Playfair

Rider Trophy. Mum Denise, also a competitive rider, said: ‘What an amazing weekend at the Championships! Many thanks to the organisers and all involved in making such a successful event. Proud mum moment when Alex with

"This weekend reminded me why I love this sport so much and brought back that urge to do the longer distances again"

looking as though he was fresh from an 8k saunter, not an 80k race ride.

Running throughout the weekend was the Triple Challenge – three 30k classes run as a single 90km event. This was won by EGB member Nikki Brown with Chikara: ‘This weekend reminded me why I love this sport so much and brought back that urge to do the longer distances again. Everyone was so friendly, supportive and the weekend was what endurance should be about. Thank you SERC! The icing on the cake was to find out that Chico had won the Triple Challenge!’

Above Nikki Brown, winner of the Triple Challenge Below Chris Macmillan, winner of the 80ER

Rihaz Al Qamrah had a haul of prizes, winning the 50 km Novice jointly with Jill on a time of 12.77kph and heart rate of 40.’

Fionghuala commented: ‘We were in the zone with crewing, the usual levels of concentration, but also aware that there was a crowd gathered and watching us. I think it's one of the quietest vettings I've ever been through. When it was announced that we had passed it took a moment to sink in. I felt so proud of my incredible horse and amazing crew. I couldn't have wished for a better ending to our season!’

Meantime the two-runner field for the flagship class, the two-day 160kER, had been halved with the retiral of Lorna Hogg and Cloughwood Golden Spangle, leaving Fionnghuala Paterson and home-bred Tannasg Psyonny as the only contenders. Lorna and Spangle had come back into endurance after some time out, and while the 160 seemed like a big ask, Lorna was confident her horse was fit enough. Sadly she herself didn’t quite match Spangle’s level of fitness, and a fall after VG1 persuaded her to retire on course.

On the Sunday, the 60k class came into play – several entrants for this one, most attempting their first or second Silver Thistle Qualifier.

A lovely route using two different 30k loops,

One by one the classes finished on Sunday until the only rider still out on course was Fionnghuala. With mum Seonaid and dad John providing first-class crewing, she and Psyonny came into the finish off the last loop at an easy trot, rewarded by applause from those who had stayed on to see her complete. Of course, it’s not over till the vets say it’s over so there were a hushed few minutes until the trot-up and metabolics were signed off by a nod of the head and a ‘well done’ from the vet.

linked by the remote vetgate, through attractive estates and along fields bordering the river.

Fionnghuala Paterson was the only rider utilising all three available loops as she set out to mirror her performance the previous day, with Psyonny

As both the easy-access location and the superb routes were so well received, it looks as though Longnewton will also be the venue for the Home International and Celtic Challenge in 2022, when it’s Scotland’s turn to host the event. If so, all attending are in for a treat …

Alison Wilson

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Top tips

How to use

Photos courtesy of IndiePics

soaked feeds

S

oaked feeds are a popular choice for endurance horses because they provide energy and condition for competition and increase water intake to support digestive health, exercise and recovery.

Allen & Page pioneered soaked feeds and offer a range of tasty, versatile feeds to suit every horse, whatever their nutritional requirements.

Nutritionist, Joanna Palmer looks at the many benefits of feeding soaked feeds and offers top tips on making them an invaluable component of your endurance horse's diet.

Soaked feeds for hydration

Keeping horses hydrated is key to health and performance, as water is required for every process in the horse's body, especially temperature regulation and recovery. A horse's natural diet of fresh grass has a high moisture content, often around 85%. Compared to haylage with a moisture content of 60%, hay at just 20%

"Some horses do not drink as much as they need to maintain peak performance"

Equine nutritionist Joanna Palmer BSc (Hons) has been a member of the award winning Allen & Page nutrition team since 2007. Her experience helps guide owners on both the nutritional and practical aspects of horse keeping and a typical concentrate feed with 13% moisture, it is easy to see that the water content of many horses' diets can be significantly less than they require. Although a horse may naturally drink more water to compensate for their drier forage and feed, some horses do not drink as much as they need to maintain peak performance. Feeding a soaked feed is an excellent way of quickly and easily boosting a horse's water intake before, during and after training and competition.

Soaked feeds for digestive health

Water is essential for gut health. If there is not enough water in the digestive system, the horse is at greater risk of developing digestive issues such as choke and impaction colic, where food does not pass normally through the gut. A soaked feed

is often recommended to reduce the risk of choke and colic as the additional water content makes feed easier to chew, swallow and digest. Using Fast Fibre as a partial hay replacer or additional fibre source will boost moisture and fibre in the digestive system and support a healthy gut environment.

Fast Fibre is also ideal for those older endurance horses who struggle with hay and grass due to poor teeth. A combination of Fast Fibre as a partial hay replacer together with another soaked feed that meets their energy requirements will ensure your endurance horse is getting all they need to compete and maintain condition.

Soaked feeds for performance

Long days spent training, competing and travelling over long distances, often in warm temperatures, will increase the risk of a horse becoming dehydrated, which can seriously affect health and performance. We've all been in situations where we offer water to a thirsty horse, but they show no interest – quite literally, 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink'! However, offer a horse a bucket of their normal soaked feed, and they will usually tuck in happily. A soaked feed made 'soupy' with more water than feed is ideal for getting extra water into your horse to aid rehydration and recovery.

Feeding a daily soaked feed that contains all the

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nutrition

features | endurancegb.co.uk

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" essential vitamins and minerals is an easy way to ensure your endurance horse receives a balanced diet. With feeds available from low energy to high energy, there is a soaked feed to suit every workload and temperament. As a low to medium energy soaked feed, Cool & Collected is ideal for active horses who hold their weight well.

Higher energy feeds suitable for endurance horses include Calm & Condition and Soothe & Gain, ideal for horses prone to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). These feeds will not cause heated behaviour as they are high in fibre and oil, providing stamina giving energy to fuel long distance exercise and additional calories to help maintain an ideal body condition. During training and competition, always add salt to your horse's diet to replace losses during exercise. Salt has the additional benefit of stimulating the thirst reflex. For horses sweating every time you ride, add an electrolyte supplement daily to support performance recovery.

Above is the feed soaking, below is an example of the final soaked feed ready for consumption

Feeding a daily soaked feed that contains all the essential vitamins and minerals is an easy way to ensure your endurance horse receives a balanced diet.

Top tips on soaked feeds 1.

Prepare all soaked feeds according to the manufacturers' instructions – feeds will have different soaking times and water requirements. More water can be added to create a soup-like consistency to boost water intake further.

2.

Add water to all feeds (not just those that need to be soaked) to help reduce the risk of choke and colic.

3.

Allen & Page feeds are all quick soaking in 10 minutes or less, but if you need to prepare in advance, do not leave the feed for more than 12 hours in its soaked form. Store it covered and in a cool dry place. In winter do not allow it to freeze.

4.

Soaking with warm (not hot) water gives your horse a warming meal during the colder months, it also releases more flavours and aromas from the feed which can tempt fussy feeders to tuck in and enjoy their feed.

For more information on our range of soaked feeds visit: www.allenandpage.co.uk or call our friendly, award-winning nutrition helpline on

01362 822902, email us at: helpline@allenandpage. co.uk or find us on Facebook @allenandpagefeed

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The final countdown!

Photo courtesy of Muriëlle Mulder

The road

to Ermelo 38

championships diary

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

N

icki Thorne competed for Team GB for a record sixth time at the European Championships in The Netherlands back in September. She shares her diary of the trip…

2nd September

Preparation is well under way, no riding today, I am going to crack on with packing. I have to empty out my big black ride trunks and replace all the Akala rugs and equipment with my precious Team GB rugs and Union Jack logo’d buckets, flags and banners. What an honour and what a trip down memory lane. Each rug is from a different Championship and was for a different horse. As I touch these rugs I am flooded with special memories – Ann Dark stitching logos onto rugs for the team in Slovakia, European Champs, as well as our polos and jackets. Greyson so dignified wearing his GB rug supplied by the BEF for his Second trip for Slovakia in the World Championships. Two sets of rugs worn by Bolena in two Europeans – Belgium and Euston Park. Gorgeous Grand wearing amazing GB rugs for the ill-fated Tryon WEG. Today little Mousey will dress up to check the rugs fit. I will filter them into rugs for the stable area, and rugs for the Hold – into trunks. I check the weather app daily and it looks hot but it’s Europe. Last week was freezing, so I pack light weight and middle weight waterproof rugs too – smart tidy navy ones to match the GB colours. Each bucket is washed and tested for being water tight (excessive paranoia or advance planning?), every bag is opened unpacked and repacked - emergency veterinary care, human first aid boxes, spares of tack - switched from Akala silver with stars to a mix and match of Red, White and Blue. I am nervously double checking but excited too. I need to get this packing malarky ticked off my list because it is both essential and also incredibly time consuming. I have decided to create packing zones – Essential equipment Hold area, Essential equipment Stable/pre competition use, and Essential crew car. Then spares for the spares for each zone …… I could be some time!

Kamilicia dressed in her Team GB colours and with Nicki on the Channel Tunnel.

3rd September

Today is another busy busy day. Nikki Clippi (aka Nikki Rodger) an old friend is coming for a super professional clipping session so that Mousey can look her best and also be cool for the competition. Cooling on the day is essential, and in order to fly that GB flag high she must look perfect. So, Nikki does my signature clip – two stars on each side of their neck – representing the Akala logo stars and the 4 stars of an FEI 4 * event - the ultimate goal for each of my horses. Nikki is the best clipper I know. She is also bright, cheerful and loads of fun to have around. This afternoon

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Pippa Windell Baker is coming for our final pre departure equine physio check. Pippa has worked on my horses since we met at the Home International many moons ago, and on Mousey since I have owned her. This culmination of experience pre and post ride, as well as Pippa’s knowledge and experience of all horses, means I am confident if Pippa says she is Good to Go, then we are over another final hurdle.

My final visitor is Fernando, (Fernando Perez de Villar of Baker McVeigh and Clement vet practice in Newmarket). Doing a final health check both for my confidence and importantly for the health papers for travel. This is the first time I have done the new Brexit requirements.

Our journey takes us through France, Belgium and Holland. With the forms stamped and signed, I have export health papers to go into my already bulging blue travel folder container a Coggins certificate, my Channel Tunnel bookings, a daily time line, the event timetable, vehicle V5, the insurance policy, the breakdown cover, the new French trailer registration, the climate sticker, the GB car stickers and all of my PCR test programme complete with vaccine letters, EGB and OC invite letters, plus the addresses for the venue and accommodation inc booking details and key box codes. I am praying

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"This afternoon my down time is a last ride around the beautiful forest near to home, Mousey feels great and the afternoon sunlight has made the forest dance with light."

I haven’t forgotten something and that I don’t ruin the whole trip by getting anything wrong.

My biggest fear is that either Andy or I fail our PCR tests and can’t go or that we cannot get on the train in Folkestone, or get turned back or hugely delayed in Calais with the horse papers.

These are additional worries that I haven’t had

to deal with before, on top of prepping and training Mousey and keeping her safe and well.

Worse still – they are mostly things I have little control over, and also cannot be completed (or ticked off my list) until very close to departure.

I have had to coach myself to just get over this, and wrap it up into the package of “must do’s” and refuse to be stressed or worried, instead to just keep ticking off that list methodically. One step at a time, one day at a time.

4th September

My usual timetable pre race is adapted to drive to Stansted airport for a PCR test.

Requirements keep changing and I don’t want any margin for error so a same day results travel worthy PCR test is the way to go. This afternoon my down time is a last ride around the beautiful forest near to home, Mousey feels great and the afternoon sunlight has made the forest dance with light. Refreshed and relaxed we head home for another part of the jigsaw.

Laurence (Laurence Ridgeway) my farrier is coming to fit Mousey’s dancing shoes and pads.

With those fitted we are all stations go for Mousey.

5th September

A hot bright sunny day has dawned perfect for Mousey to relax before her long journey.

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as soon as the stables open. We are only allowed two stable bibs, that’s one each. We set up a corral in one of the paddocks near the stables. Mousey looks wonderful and I want to walk her. We discover we can only walk in the vicinity of the stables, if we want to go further we must be tacked up and ride the one way training track, about 13kms. We walk Mousey where we can and I leave Andy to sit with her in the corral, and I go to the Chef meeting.

Being Chef and Rider at the same time isn’t going to be easy due to the timings, but it is the EGB rule for less than a Team. The meeting is geared to the Young Riders on Thursday so I am permitted to leave early. The stables are closed 12 until 2pm, no horses outside and no people in the area. An enforced lunch break before I take Mousey round the training track, and she is full of herself.

8th September I have a final visit to my dad, to get my good luck hug. I have to meet Henry Bullen from Peden Transport to get the all important Carnet for travel to Europe. Whilst waiting to hear when we can meet him, Andy and I decide to quite literally enjoy the fruits of our garden and Andy whips up his first batch of cider, while I make plum jam and watch Mousey from the kitchen window. Surprising us a car turns up and it’s Henry! What incredible service, he has decided to hand deliver the Carnet! He knows how important this trip is to me, and he has organised our travels all over the world for many years. What more could we ask for – we are now Ready To Leave ….. better get an early night.

6th September

An early alarm call is set ready for a 4 am departure. With so much excitement we are not tired, just focused. We fix drinks, let our dogs have a quick very early morning walk, and kiss them goodbye. Then it is all about Mousey, surprisingly she has eaten her breakfast whilst we did the dogs, and I have only to pop on travel boots and meet Hannah who has come to see us off and help load Mousey in case she has any early morning in the dark ideas about not loading! Of course she doesn’t, and obligingly steps straight into the trailer. One last check that the packed equipment is safely strapped and secured and cannot move next to Mousey. Then we are off – driving out of our gates, bang on time. We go to Stop 24 at Folkestone to get the carnet stamped. This goes well, taking less than 20 mins, then to the Tunnel. Tunnel requirements include fan checks and any x-rays, as well as the Pet centre checks, show passports, vaccine forms , PCR test etc as requested – we whizz through and board an

Nicki and Mousey in the stables

earlier train! Whoop Whoop. We are worried about possible delays in France, and equally we must arrive before the stables close at Ermelo, so we have gained valuable time. The train journey is a chance to water and feed Mousey, and take her rug off as the day warms up. We drive off the train and enter the French port area eagerly looking for the signs for SIVEP for Customs and Vet checks. The lovely vet is keen to hear all about endurance – of course I oblige! Vet check done and we wait for the health forms which she provides quickly. Back to the main office to get the Carnet stamped.

It’s now hot so we move around the car park to get in the shade of an HGV to keep Mousey cool. It’s 30 degrees. Then we hit a hurdle – despite being assisted by five very helpful French officials, I can’t find the “Shed” form and I don’t know what it is ! I ring Henry, who explains the French agent should be there – but she seems to have gone to the ferry. It is all resolved quickly by Henry and I have the appropriate “CHEDA” form to give to the customs officials.

It takes a while to get the Carnet stamped, but we are through the SIVEP in two hours. Back on the road, and the traffic is good. We trundle through France, Belgium – stop for Mousey for watering and feeding, and into Holland. As we pull into the venue – euphorically we realise we did It – we are here! Now to settle Mousey for the night. Walking her round the venue, I meet with friends and instantly feel at home with my much-missed endurance family. We finally get to bed around 10pm.

7th September

Another early start, I am keen to get to Mousey

Another hot day, and Mousey is relaxed and happy. I head off to the training track as quickly as I can because we have another full day. German international endurance rider and trainer Belinda Hitzler and her husband Stephan Schelldorf arrive this afternoon to crew for us, and we haven’t seen them in two years. They trained Mousey for her previous owners, so it is a big reunion. They head out to check crew points, and get ride day food and supplies, and generally get ready.

9th September

The stable opens early today as it is the Young Rider World Championships – how exciting to see people I know competing. Especially the USA team and the Bahamas for the first time.

I have to be at the stables very early because the YR’s will be feeding and taking out horses, and as the barns are mixed I don’t want Mousey upset. Everywhere will be busy today, with the race going on at the venue and access to the training track is different as the YRs are going in and out. So we have time to watch the start and also to check in on the teams during the day. No chef meeting today either. Our ride is pretty busy, we meet Young Riders coming in from their loops, it is a good eye opener for Saturday. I am delighted to cheer the whole USA team home, and the Bahamian rider.

What an accolade for the first Teams over the line, to get full teams around a tough course and over the finish line is a real testament to them all, but the Final Vetting takes its toll and the medal slots all change. Tomorrow is going to be impossible because I can’t be at the chef meeting that is for our championships, organise bibs etc and ride Mousey at the same time! Thankfully Lindsay arranges an official chef change so that Andy can handle the admin for me. We also gain a 3rd person in the slosh lane because only 2 bibs may touch the horse

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plus the chef or the vet. Carmine will have two crew and the team vet, I will have two crew and the team chef. Out on course it will be two crew only wearing two course bibs, and in the venue two crew in two venue bibs. Plus the chef or vet. Lee Clark our fabulous physio arrives tonight around 10pm, and we can’t wait to see him.

10th September

Another early start, to go to Mousey first, then get to Appeldoorn for an 8am PCR check. Back to the venue to meet Belinda and Stephan. I have to dash straight out to ride before the stables shut at 12 but I can’t because I have to wait for the Dutch government vet to come and do my export papers! I also need to make sure Mousey will be beautiful to vet. Andy heads to the chef meeting to get our final instructions.

I can finally go and get my last ride done. It’s still very hot but there are warnings of rain.

We leave Lee to work on Mousey and then guard her in the corral, and the rest of us go to the mandatory rider meeting at the start line.

Christopher Frederick our farrier and crew member arrives from Belgium, and my team is complete. The afternoon is going to be spent vetting, weighing, declaring our final entry and getting our ride bibs. We get back from the rider meeting to discover a beautifully spruced up Mousey, thank you Lee. Then – the heavens open. It is torrential, and a very wet pre ride vetting! Time to weigh, make sure our entries are done, and we get our bibs. Carmine and his team join us at the venue restaurant and we all have our last group meetings and agree our timings for tomorrow morning.

11th September

RACE DAY! It’s a 4am start, with a race start at 7.30 am We are ready and organised, everyone has their job. I love my Team. I could not do this without them and have absolute confidence in them. Mousey is behaving perfectly and we warm up inside the “washing machine” of cantering horses. I see Carmine, and we yell back and forth that we will head out around the middle of the pack. My good friend Alisija Zabavska-Rogers (representing Lithuania) warms up with me and we have a good chat. I see lots of well known faces amongst the riders, crews, and officials. Time to get going! We are steady over the start line behind the controlled start vehicle, and out onto the sand tracks. I know the sand will be deep, and we have had heavy rain. With a long day ahead, my aim is a steady and consistent speed saving our energy to get us through that last loop. I settle my speed and enjoy Mousey’s eagerness as we canter along the beautiful tracks. Mousey gets stronger and stronger as the day progresses.

Ridiculous in each hold, she refuses to settle and only wants to fly back on course as she watches

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Nicki Thorne and Kamilcia (left in leading group) competing in the European Championships

the lead horses go out! It takes 3 of us to hold her and tacking her up is nigh on impossible – we have to laugh – Mousey is having an absolute whale of a time – how fabulous to see your horse enjoying the ultimate challenge so much!

But Mousey can also have a mousey moment and decide she is not going anywhere so I have to be careful with her. Predictably on the last loop Mousey starts to nap back to the venue – I know if I can take her away from the venue she will give up napping and get on with it, so I hop off and annoyingly she is happy to trot next to me and then to proceeds to drag me along the deep sandy tracks. Rolling my eyes, I have to accept this is just Mousey. Aware we probably cannot come in the Top 20 now, which was my goal, I quickly switch focus to just finishing. When I get back on she is aware we have circled toward home and she sets off in a doggedly determined fashion in the dusk, ignoring the deep wet mud and getting faster and faster as we head for home. Trotting through the pitch black forest in deep mud, I meet up with more riders and soon she is in front of a small string. As we reach the final 4 kms Mousey is truly homeward bound and we are flying along – we beat the crew to the finish line! greeted by other crews and officials cheering us home. I run to meet my crew who are scrambling to reach us at the Hold area – one last trot Mousey, you can do this. Andy is totally lame needing knee replacements but he trots Mousey the best so he musters up his strength. Metabolically we know Mousey is fine, she has vetted brilliantly all day with super fast recoveries. She trots and to me looks amazing.

I run to hug her, the results from the panel will

be what they will be. Whilst Mousey will always be my amazing Malopolska pony and as I hug Mousey, I hear the words ……. “It’s a Pass”

12th September

What can I say about today? We have much to do practically, we must pack and make sure our paperwork is correct to do the same Covid and Customs checks in reverse. Mousey must go to the treatment vet and get her Fit to Travel – well, after she drags myself and Belinda there, it is clear she is definitely still fit for anything. She looks amazing. I am delighted and can’t stop hugging her. It’s an emotional day because I have to say goodbye to my fabulous crew and my wonderful friends from around the world. It is sad to be leaving and sad that my adventure is over, but I am over the moon with little Mousey.

It is a long, long drive home, we work our way through the admin at each step and finally drive off the train back into England and we head for home. I can’t wait to get Mousey out of the trailer.

13th September

I wake up to the knowledge that Mousey is safe and very sound, that we made it through the blue folder of paperwork and the unknown, and that Mousey has completed a 4* championship in style. I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have all those that surround me, and an exceptional horse.

14th September

The final step of the journey – yes one more PCR test!

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