Golden Horseshoe: A new era dawns

Golden Horseshoe: A new era dawns

What can you expect from this year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor? We talk to the new organisers Maggie Pattinson and Shelley Bates to find out.

It’s probably fair to say it’s always a challenge to take on something new, but even more so when it’s an iconic piece of endurance in Great Britain and, in fact, the world. Certainly, when I first heard of endurance (many moons ago) it was all about qualifying for Golden Horseshoe – endurance team hopefuls needed to be able to show their stuff at that event. Sadly, with the advent of the fast, flat endurance goals, Horseshoe has lost some of its sparkle – we, the new custodians, are pretty determined to remedy that!

So who are we?

I am Maggie Pattinson and my first attempt at GHR was in 1992 riding Kaleigh my first endurance horse. I rode there last time in 2011 (escorting my homebred Sadhira on her first pleasure ride). I have also competed there with my Arab mare Monita and as a coach I have prepared a good few combinations to success in all GHR classes and I am proud of them all. I am a veteran ride organiser from the 90s to present day and my day job these days is as a coach and trainer, fitness specialist across all disciplines.

Shelley Bates’ first introduction to endurance was at GHR when she won a trip to Horseshoe, with a stay at The White Horse. She rode and completed an awesome first day of 160km on Sadhira, but unfortunately an unplanned dismount about 12km from home meant riding those last 12km with a broken ankle and therefore she wasn’t allowed to start day two. Sadhira looked amazing and the two may well have another bash sometime. Shelley almost has Endurance GB running through her veins now – part of the Board, recently retired as Chair of the South-East region, running rides, and officiating as a Technical Steward and FEI Steward - oh and her day job as a Major in the British Army.

We are also lucky to have a local team on board – Neil Arnold, who has marked many Golden Horseshoe courses, Philippa Verry, who has written a fabulous guide ‘Exmoor Bridleway Rides’. Philippa has competed at Horseshoe on the lovely boy Stilton too. Then there’s Amanda Hamley, who again lives and rides on Exmoor, and rode at Horseshoe on Lady last year. These three amazing people are our eyes and ears close to the ride. They have planned this year’s route and have taken on the vast responsibility of contacting and staying in contact with all the landowners. In addition, with their combined local knowledge of places and people, they are helping to make sure we stay local with our ride needs.

Shelley and Sadhira trotting up in style at Horseshoe

Anne Joppe

What’s new?

ZOOMing

We have put together a series of Zoom webinars and have been delighted with so many sign ups and attendees so far:

Z1 The route. This was a run through on maps and glorious photos of the intended routes plus a run through of qualifications.

Z2 Meet the vets. We were joined by most of our vet panel for a Q&A session, covering ‘what they are looking for’, ‘how they help’, ‘where they are’ and ‘what they do’ and we included Q&As on hints and tips on crewing. After 1.5 hours we had to stop. The vet panel is made up of Jo Woodman, Sarah Coombs, Clare Smith, Paul Jarvis, Kit Heawood and Fi Farmer, and thanks to them all for their time.

Z3,4,5 Will cover ‘tips from veteran riders’, ‘prep and packing’, ‘where to stay’ and more.

Not really new, more revisiting some old

The Route: Exmoor has some amazing terrain and I have to say every single time I drive into the Park I think ‘Wow, there’s some big climbs’, so we can promise those. Philippa, Amanda and Neil are making sure of a great variety taking in Cheriton Ridge, Two Moors Way, Withypool and Winsford Hill to name but a few areas. Our one big criteria for them this year was ‘find us a vet gate back on of course’ and they have not disappointed. Brendon Manor Trekking Centre will be our halfway home and not only that, but they are also sponsoring our halfway vetting – a huge thank you to Brendon Manor!

The maps are available online – complete with ideal crew/viewing spots, check points and distances. Those who joined our first Zoom had a great look at these and talk through from Philippa and Amanda.

Abby Chisholm

TOP TIP - Wishing riders well

The ride programme is just the place to wish a rider well and for a token amount we can put your good wishes in print.

Carri Ann Dark riding HS Drift

David Saunders

The classes

The Golden Horseshoe – 160km over two days, the ultimate endurance challenge here in the UK – we hope to see a good few elite combinations this year. Rumoured already are combinations from England, Scotland and Wales (Brendon Manor Vet Gate both days).

The Stag – 120km over two days – again some top combinations rumoured here, some looking for the final go before a 2024 entry to the 160km.

The Exmoor Stallion – a new class for 2023, 120km over three days. We are hoping for some good entries in this class.

The Hind – 80km over two days. This has become a very popular class and we hope it continues to be. It’s a great taste of two days on Exmoor at a reasonable distance for fit combinations – we hope to see progression over the years from this class.

The Fox – 80km one day – a real test again, a good class for progression.

The Otter & Cub – 40km classes.

The Bambi – 25km PR. We are running this on the Friday and the Sunday. This is traditionally a class often entered by locals and we hope to continue that tradition. We also hope to see some of our volunteers bringing horses down for a ride out and a try-out of Exmoor, and then a little holiday for them while riders join the enormous helpers list needed.

Something new (or old)

We’re expecting all classes (barring the Bambi) to have ridden at least one qualification ride.

This was a requirement in the past and to many EGB riders I have spoken to it was the ‘aim of the first part of the season’. Get your GHR qualifier in!

So we hope to build to that excitement in planning once again but also we want to ensure that those entering the lower distance classes are aware that this is not just a 40km ride –take it seriously!

Other plans in the pot

• We want to keep everyone interested and we want visitors – spectators and those who are just curious.

• We are hoping to have refreshments on site all weekend (please use them).

• Plans are afoot for local demos – dog show/agility and a horse/pony show.

• We’re looking to attract tradestands – not just our endurance type but some local crafts and interests.

• Sunday night is going to be awards night and we are expecting everyone to get their tickets for this evening, celebrating the greatness of horses and riders on The Golden Horseshoe Ride classes. The White Horse, Exmoor, will be the venue and they are very excited to be having us back.

Getting it right

Make no mistake it’s a huge task – not just logistically but also financially. By the time you read this we intend to have a good list of sponsors on board – if you want to sponsor it’s not too late!

We need an army of volunteers so please let us know if you want to be on the team. Why not ride the PR on Friday or Sunday and help the other days?

We’re hoping to encourage a whole new generation of endurance riders who want the great challenge of Golden Horseshoe on their list of achievements eventually. We want riders coming along to do a 40km or even the 25km PR getting excited and planning for a few years in the future. Those riders who know that the 160km is not on their plan but enjoying and training hard to one day achieve The Hind!

There will be the weather but we’re not sure what, so come prepared for all (I’ve had hypothermia and sunburn in one weekend) and remember “There’s no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothing” – Billy Connolly.

We will be delighted to welcome you to the 2023 Golden Horseshoe Ride at The Show Ground, Exford, so get in touch Ghs2023@onthehoofdt.co.uk

By Maggie & Shelley