{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}

Endurance riding: ‘The welfare of the horse is paramount in everything that we do’

Playlist 20 Videos Sovaro Palm Beach Masters showjumping qualifier in Wellington, Florida: 3 February 4:57:24 One-eyed racehorse excelling in falconry career 02:24 Watch what happens when a sprinter compares training regimes with a racehorse 03:02 'He's a once in a lifetime horse': history repeats itself at HOYS Cob of the Year championship 00:46 'It has been a long time coming': rider returns to win back Blenheim title after 16-year gap 00:36 Blenheim win for Christopher Burton by narrowest of margins 00:51 All eyes on Tokyo 2020: meet the team behind Britain’s renewed eventing success 01:26 Ever wondered what it takes to be a doctor at Burghley? Watch this video to find out… 01:43 'It's effort after effort': top riders share their thoughts on the 2017 Burghley cross-country course 03:45 What do Zara Tindall, Mark Todd and Harry Meade make of the 2017 Burghley course? 03:47 Amy Woodhead: how working for Carl Hester has set her up for success 06:14 Endurance riding: ‘The welfare of the horse is paramount in everything that we do’ 02:22 History made at Bramham as first Japanese rider takes CCI3* title: disappointment for overnight leader 00:49 'That was nerve-wracking!': Will Furlong takes Bramham under-25 title on dramatic final day 00:53 'I'm chuffed to bits': Izzy Taylor speeds to Bramham CIC3* victory 00:48 'She's so gutsy': Will Furlong takes commanding lead in Bramham under-25 00:35 'She's a little star but also hysterical': Gemma Tattersall has commanding CCI3* dressage lead at Bramham 00:50 'I couldn't ride at all last week': Paul Tapner leads Bramham CIC3* 00:41 Emily King best of the Brits in Bramham under-25: French dominate 01:18 H&H Champs: Journey from Scotland pays off for victorious young rider and pony 00:55

  • British endurance rider Nicola Thorne shared her thoughts on horse welfare in the sport — and explained why all women should give endurance a try

    Norfolk-based Nicki Thorne first got a taste for endurance when she was taking part in pleasure rides with her 16.2hh chestnut mare, Alaska, who she lost in 2012 at the impressive age of 29. In her first ever FEI3* 160km race in 2013, the 46-year-old finished in second place — and that same year she was ranked number one in the FEI rankings.

    “The welfare of the horse is paramount in everything that we do,” says Nicki.

    “During the race itself we have the vets on site throughout the entire duration of the ride, and throughout each of the stages, which we call loops, the horse is checked continuously by the vets to make sure that the horse is in a good condition to carry on.”

    Having previously tried everything from showing to jumping, Nicki now has her heart firmly set on endurance and racing Arabs.

    “In endurance men and women can compete on an even playing field together and the women are equally as successful as the men.

    “[My success] is a huge testament to my team, my crew and my horses and I’m hoping it can send out a great message to women out there who are wanting to compete in this sport — they really can go out there and achieve great things.

    “But we really couldn’t do this sport without our crews — they’re a well oiled team, working together and are calm around the horses.”

    Continued below…



    “I’m absolutely passionate about my horses and I love the sport of endurance,” she adds. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing with my horses — the amount of time I can spend with them [in this sport], and the competitive element, mean that for me it’s just the best thing that I could be doing.”

    You may like...