Big Boost for 2007 Golden Horseshow Endurance Ride
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Riders from all over the country will be pitting themselves against the tough Exmoor terrain again this year in the 2007 Golden Horseshoe endurance ride.
Centre piece of the fixture on May 13-15 is the two day, 100 mile (160km) Golden Horseshoe ride itself, 50 miles each day and acknowledged as one of the most demanding challenges in the endurance calendar. This is supported by the 75 mile (120km) Exmoor Stag, another two day class with riders facing 50 miles on the first day and 25 on the second; the Exmoor Experience, a new class designed to give Open riders and horses experience of a two day ride on Exmoor, but of 25 miles (40km) each day; the Exmoor 80, one day of 50 miles (80km.)
Apart from a move to Dunster in 2003, the fixture has been based in Exford since it came to Exmoor in 1974, starting and finishing in the Auction Field. This year, however, there is both a new venue within the village and a new course.
The new venue at the top of Church Hill, next to the cricket pavilion, Exford, gives easier access to the new course, which tracks across the moor to North Hill and then down into the half-way point in front of Dunster Castle. The second phase takes in forestry tracks over the Brendon Hills.
Organiser Barbara Wigley has also included a 15 mile (25km) sponsored pleasure ride on Sunday, May 13, in aid of the Moorland Mousie Trust - a local charity to promote and support Exmoor ponies - which intends to enter its own team.
"The Golden Horseshoe ride has been a part of moorland life and a cornerstone of endurance riding in this country for more than 30 years, said Mrs Wigley. "A gold award in the 100 mile class is a cherished ambition for many riders, but something which goes only to the very best. "We have introduced the new class, the Exmoor Experience, to give riders a chance to introduce themselves and their horses to a two-day competition over this very demanding terrain before progressing to the longer classes in subsequent years."
As always, horse welfare is paramount. Horses are diligently examined by veterinary surgeons before and after competing and at the halfway stage, while officials and vets circulate around the course during the competition. "We are trying to encourage more people to come and watch, said Mrs Wigley. "There will be trade stands for shoppers at the venue, as well as refreshments, and maps of the course, with vantage points marked, will be available. We particularly would like to see more people to watch the pre-competition vetting on Sunday and at the halfway point in the shadow of Dunster Castle on ride days.
"There is always a lot of interest in the Golden Horseshoe. The closing date for entries is not until May 1, but already there have been inquiries from as far afield as Scotland. The sponsored ride, too, is going to be well supported by local riders."
