This weekend’s world-famous Exmoor Golden Horseshoe Ride will see more than 140 horses and riders set out over three days to tackle classes ranging from 24km to 160km (100 miles).
The oldest long-distance Endurance GB ride in the UK, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Europe, was first held in 1965 with The Daily Telegraph newspaper as the main sponsor.
The ride attracts Endurance GB competitors of all levels across a range of classes over the three days. This year, five riders will take on the greatest challenge The Golden Horseshoe Ride itself which covers 100 miles (160km) in two days. The five include three west country-based riders, David Yeoman from Somerset riding Eaunoire Cassie, Gillian Mann from Exeter with HS Parnasse and Kirsty Wiscombe from Dorset riding Yawl Hill Maverick. Traveling further afield are Gillian Talbot from Chepstow with Sa’da Sekora and Sue Cox from Cambridgeshire with Eden El Nyhl.
Five riders will also tackle the Exmoor Stag class, which takes place over 120km (74.5 miles) in two days. The most popular class, the 24km Pleasure Ride, has collected almost 50 horse and rider combinations.
Ride organiser Jo Chisholm, who runs the ride with husband Andrew along with an army of Endurance GB volunteers said:
We are pleased with the level of entries and both the weather and ground conditions look set to provide the ideal conditions for tackling this spectacular course. The Golden Horseshoe Ride attracts riders from across the country and we are looking forward to welcoming them and seeing a wonderful and enjoyable two-days of competition.”
Rebecca Kinnarney, Chair of Endurance GB said:
The Golden Horseshoe and Exmoor Stag classes are two of the greatest classes in the Endurance GB calendar. A completion at this event is regarded as a pinnacle of achievement in our sport but is an achievable ambition with a combination of fit, well-prepared horse and rider, clement weather conditions and a light sprinkling of luck! We wish everyone taking part every success but more importantly, a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.”
For more information on the Golden Horseshoe Ride, please contact Jo Chisholm at ghs@mapmarketing.com
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.
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