A 70-year-old endurance specialist who won four awards, including the premier and top lady titles, at the famous Golden Horseshoe ride (21–22 May) has proved that age is no barrier if you have the right ingredients, including the right horse.

Candy Cameron, who is a British Horse Society stage four coach, runs Loch Ness Riding in Inverness and she has been riding and training endurance horses since the 1980s. She first rode in the Golden Horseshoe, a 160 km endurance ride across Exmoor National Park, 35 years ago in 1988.

In 2023, Candy’s horse Ell Daam (Al) also won the highly-regarded Best Condition award at the event, replicating the result of her former horse, White Trooper, who took home the Best Condition prize once during his career.

Al, a 10-year-old pure-bred Arab, was brought over from France, as Candy explains: “This was his first attempt [at the Horseshoe] but he was brilliant. He’s the ultimate endurance horse. He doesn’t over do it at the start and he doesn’t try to race the others, which some horses often do. When you look at him you wouldn’t think he’s going to set the world alight, but he gets on with the job at hand. You need a horse who is going to cross the finish line, as in endurance to finish is to win!”

The Golden Horseshoe is held over two days.

“It can be an energy-sapping ride due to the weather and the rocky, stoney terrain, hard ground and deep heather we have to move across,” says Candy, who has also ridden from Windsor to Versailles, and in other rides across the world during her career.

Candy Cameron drove from Inverness to Exmoor to compete in the Golden Horseshoe. She spreads the journey over two days, with regular breaks.

“We stop over and turn the horses out so they can have a rest and a graze,” Candy says. “Training wise, I would usually take a horse on at least two rides of 60km or so in length ahead of the Horseshoe. I would space them out about three weeks apart. It’s not just about the fitness; a horse needs to get used to moving over the terrain. If you’re constantly riding them on surfaces, they won’t be able to cope with the twists and turns underfoot. I also advise riders to work on their schooling, incorporating lateral work so the horse becomes more supple and gets stronger.”

When asked what makes her return to the iconic ride year after year, Candy says: “I love riding in beautiful places and enjoying the British countryside. We’re so lucky in endurance to be able to experience all the lovely terrain and stunning views on horseback.

“Endurance is also a family sport. You often see generation after generation coming up through the levels. It’s something everyone can get involved in.

“And of course, we love our horses. Their welfare is paramount.”

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Endurance GB will open competitive ride entries at the beginning of next month, following the Government’s announcement that outdoor sport can resume in England from 29 March, but the flagship Golden Horseshoe Ride is cancelled.

One of the calendar’s feature events, the famous ride on Exmoor was scheduled for 22-23 May, but it will not take place this year.

“A combination of personal circumstances” affecting the Chisholm family, who organise the event, has led to its cancellation, along with uncertainty over “the impact of the restrictions on accommodation on Exmoor itself as UK tourism picks up”.

Other highlights of the endurance season look secure, with King’s Forest Summer hosting the inter-regional championships on 18-20 June and Cirencester accommodating the home internationals on 9-11 July.

This year’s national championship rides will continue at the British Horse Feeds and Golden Paste Company’s Red Dragon Festival of Endurance, which is scheduled for a week earlier than usual, on 24-27 September.

The UK’s FEI ride calendar has not yet been confirmed pending updates on international travel arrangements.

The first competitive rides of the endurance season are now expected to take place at Bilbury Salt Way in the Cotswolds and Tilford in Surrey on 11 April.

Phil Nunnerley, chairman of Endurance GB, said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement, and the re-opening of our sport is eagerly anticipated by everyone involved from riders to crews, organisers and volunteers. There is a great deal of excitement and momentum building for the 2021 season and we are anticipating a bumper year for the sport.

“Our major championship rides are all held at large venues which lend themselves to social distancing. So while these events may not have the usual social accompaniments this year, we are as confident as we can be that they will run, restrictions permitting.”

He added that the cancellation of the 2021 Golden Horseshoe Ride was “a great pity” but for “entirely understandable reasons as the Chisholm family will be re-opening their business the previous weekend but there were also uncertainties connected with accommodation locally and attempts to find an alternative weekend later in the year had drawn a blank”.

Endurance GB announced that Covid safety measures would be put in place at all events, including “health pre-screening and a full audit trail for all attendees”.

“Huge demand” is anticipated when entries open, and numbers are expected to be capped according to the social distancing capacities of each venue.

Continued below… 

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Esther Young, Endurance GB’s operations director, said: “It will be vitally important for attendees to continue to follow the Covid safety measures, and we anticipate that we will be living with social distancing for much of the season.

“We are confident in our measures. There were zero transmissions at post lockdown events last year, and we were running events safely right up to the Christmas lockdown.”

Endurance GB’s calendar may still be subject to change and riders are being advised to check the sport’s website and social media regularly for updates. Welsh rides remain on hold at present pending announcements from the Welsh First Minister on the plans to relax Covid restrictions in Wales.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Chiara is now on a three-week break whereby she enjoys her time in the field with regular grooming and pampering in the form of massages and physio.

One serious issue came to light at Windsor which was that neither her numnah nor her girth was doing her any favours with rubs in strategic places. This is not as easily rectified as it might seem; everything will now have to be checked, the saddle refitted, new numnahs (pure orthopaedic wool, of course) and establishing why her very expensive girth rubs and what the solution would be. She is so fine skinned that perfection is really the only option and these issues only show up after she has covered a considerable distance.

Last weekend I helped at the iconic Golden Horseshoe ride on Exmoor. This time last year, I was at the same place but the difference was immeasurable. The biggest factor to cause this difference was the weather (pictured top in the rain in 2015). Last year was typical ‘Horseshoe weather’; rain and wind and not very warm. But this year it was like being on another planet with warm sunshine and a light breeze, perfect conditions for endurance.

The largely dry weather leading up to the event meant that the going on Exmoor, often really difficult, wet and deep; was pretty much as good as you can get, resulting in several of the coveted ‘Golds’ being awarded in both the main 160km Horseshoe class and the 120km Exmoor Stag class.

For me this weekend was a chance to give a little back to our sport and do what many of us endurance riders do; volunteer to help the busy, overworked organisers. Actually it was fun! I got to do car parking (again), help with the very large pleasure ride class and actually judge for an award as well as covering the Facebook feed. It was almost a holiday with the aroma of sunscreen prevailing over the usual smell of eau de horse!

With being away three weekends in a row, the washing builds up and the heap on the chair gets correspondingly deeper; you know when you have a pile of clothes which you’ve worn perhaps an hour and then needed to change for a different task. These clothes, while not really dirty enough to warrant a trip to the washing machine, are not clean enough to return to the depths of the wardrobe or over-stuffed chest of drawers. This is something I have always struggled with and, as I look at the heap of clothes on my chair, I am beginning to wish that I could just stick to one colour scheme because none of these items can be worn with another one: orange is the competition colour, grey is my sponsor’s colour, red and navy some of my favourite Team GBR kit and deep pink which is my best colour (yes, I have had my colours done, darling!): decisions…

Today I was a little short of time and decided to take Dilmun and Fantom out together, riding Dilmun and leading Fantom. About a mile or so from home I had an incident with a horse lorry. These are very narrow, very quiet Cornish lanes and this lorry drove to within a metre of us, tailgating us down the very steep lane even though they could see I was going to pull into a driveway some 20 metres away. We shot in sideways while said lorry roared past hooting and this was a HORSE lorry. What is wrong with people?

Training has now focussed on Fantom in an effort to improve his strength and fitness which, despite his successful completion of a 40km ride, still leaves ongoing work if we are to contest a one-star towards the end of June. This competition in Norfolk is intended to be in part a test to see if he has overcome his ‘tying up’ problem and partly to just enjoy for its own sake and be competitive. I have now added an ulcer remedy to his diet as it is probably the only thing I haven’t done as a tying up prevention. He does, however, appear to be having a little ‘down’ patch at the moment and has reverted to his ‘super slug’ status and training sessions are a bit of an effort. However, it is extremely hot and humid here in the far west and I am hoping this is just due to the weather.

Article continues below…

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Annie Joppe’s endurance blog: the sky is the limit

Annie has been busy packing, competing, unpacking and then re-packing for more competing

The dry weather has transformed daily life at Watergate Endurance mainly because there is no mud! However, instead of the obligatory mucking out of stables and field shelters, poo picking is now one of the largest tasks. I had a pleasant surprise this evening when I found that the ‘poo fairy’ had been and miraculously transformed one of my paddock areas into an almost manicured lawn (well, perhaps not quite manicured, but certainly an improvement): thank you Emily (Wiz’s jockey).

Annie

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In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

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A week or so ago I spent a hectic three days helping at the famous Golden Horseshoe ride on Exmoor. This competition is about as different as you can get to Royal Windsor and still be ‘endurance’.

Windsor is fast, flat with excellent, and in part prepared, going and Horseshoe is rugged, rough and extremely hilly and the speeds considerably slower to reflect this. The challenges, and the rules to some extent, are very different and an alternative way of training the horse is required.

As usual, the event was not without rain and the venue is situated on top of a hill making it very exposed to the elements and usually up to 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding countryside.

‘Horseshoe’ is the oldest endurance competition in the UK and arguably one of the most famous in the world and certainly in this country. Two years ago, Horseshoe celebrated its 50th anniversary and had a break last year to be resurrected with new organisers who have great plans for the future.

The last time it ran in 2015, my versatile horse Fantom and I managed to complete the 160km Golden Horseshoe class (pictured top) in two days of torrential, driving rain for a silver award. This competition is a true test of endurance and stamina where speed is of less importance.

This weekend I had varied duties and have discovered that parking 200 horseboxes and trailers is an art form in itself; neat, even lines being the objective while trying to fulfil competitors’ wishes at the same time: the two not always being compatible. Now I know what it’s like from the other side…

I watched the finish of the main class; there were only three competitors left in the competition at the end and it was really heartening to see one of my good friends achieve her dream — there were hugs and tears all round at this very emotional time.

One of the horses was just a little unlevel at the end: a fail. With endurance there are generally two main results: a pass and a fail. The highs and lows are extreme and I really felt for the competitor whose horse failed at the end. This competitor will have prepared all year for this competition and then ridden for two gruelling days over rugged terrain and at times in driving rain over 160km (100 miles) and has now finished with no recognition or award, just the determination to go one better next year!

Our next major event was the squad assessment day in Warwick. OK, although not ‘just down the road’, it’s not too far, probably about four or five hours. WRONG! It was the journey from hell: six hours just to get as far as Bristol (from Cornwall) AND that wasn’t the end of our problems. There was then another three hours to reach our destination. Total: nine hours. However, we got the opportunity of putting into practice a lesson learned when travelling to Fontainebleau last year. Fibre beet tea makes an awesome travel drink and Fantom absolutely loved it and arrived fully hydrated (yes, we endurance people are obsessed with hydration and we checked his wee!).

Continued below…

Annie Joppe’s endurance blog: ‘he stood stock still with a look of utter amazement’

Annie and Fantom have enjoyed some success at

At the assessment it was nice to meet up with fellow squad members. We were duly put through our paces and each horse assessed according to the stage of fitness they were at. The other, and also important, part of endurance assessment is how fit the rider is and to this end, a couple of fiendish exercises were devised: fun? Not sure, but they sure tested my poor body. The crew were not forgotten and their fitness was tested too in a manner rather reminiscent of “It’s a Knockout” involving lots of water!

Alas, we will have to wait until late July to find out whether we will be going to Brussels as part of the squad for the Europeans.

Annie

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The future of Britain’s most famous endurance ride has been secured thanks to the appointment of a new event organiser, but the ride will not go ahead this year.

Exmoor’s Golden Horseshoe celebrated its 50th anniversary last year (17-19 May), but the continuation of the event hung in the balance after its long-serving committee chose to step down.

The committee, headed by Barbara Wigley, was struggling to find a replacement team.

However, Mrs Wigley confirmed to H&H that a new organiser had stepped in and the ride is expected to continue in 2017.

“It’s not running this year, but we think it will run next year,” Mrs Wigley told H&H.

“I’m really pleased — it is a nice feeling. The person who is taking it on is getting a new committee together.”

Mrs Wigley said she will be able to confirm the name of the new organiser and further information on the future of the ride in March.

“It’s a huge job to take on if you’re not already involved in it,” she added.

“I will still be doing the routes for the ride.”

Last March, Mrs Wigley cited rising costs, fundraising and spiralling paperwork and health and safety demands as reasons for stepping down as organiser.

She has been involved in the ride for more than 30 years and running it since 2007.

“All of us have decided to stop after the 50th anniversary, but we are hoping that someone will take it on,” she said at the time.

Finding its home in Exmoor

The first Golden Horseshoe ride was run on Exmoor in 1965 by the British Horse Society. Promoted by Col. Mike Ansell and poet Ronald Duncan, the first ride was so popular that entries closed a month early as they had reached the 110 combination limit.

The linear route began at Malsmead and finished in Welcombe, Devon, and riders had to find their own way.

At the finish, welfare campaigner Glenda Spooner and jockey John Oaksey checked the horses and the riders who completed at 6mph and above were all given a golden horseshoe.

The event moved each year until 1974, when it became permanently based on Exmoor.

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A Horse & Hound team completed the Golden Horseshoe earlier this month (17 May).

Showing, vet and point-to-point editor Aimi Clark, designer Emily Secrett, news writer/digital sub editor Rachael Hook and dressage/print sub editor Polly Bryan update us on their experiences of the endurance ride.

Aimi: ‘Welfare is top of the agenda’

I had mixed feelings as I arrived on Exmoor to tackle the Golden Horseshoe. It is exciting and I barely slept the night before, but it is also the unknown — I’ve never competed in endurance before — and the international side of the sport has been surrounded by controversy recently. To top it off my horse, Bee, has missed several days’ work after losing a shoe and becoming foot sore. Typically thoroughbred timing.

The veterinary inspection is one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve done. Waiting to be called forward I see a chestnut with a distinctive nod. The rider is devastated that the beloved horse she thought was in perfect health is in pain, and thoughts of the ride — all that preparation, travelling time, financial investment — pales in significance. Two vets assess the horse to see what the problem might be before he goes home. Welfare is top of the agenda here.

Excitement gets the better of Bee and he struggles to stand still as a vet examines him, listens to his breathing and checks his heart rate. He trots-up rather enthusiastically. It’s just as well that I don’t have to be examined too, as nerves have greatly affected my blood pressure.

It’s largely thanks to my grandparents, Mollie and Brian, that Bee looks so smart. They are both in their eighties and presumably one of the oldest back-up crews of the day.

They meet us with water at the first checkpoint, but miss the second due to a lunch stop (whoops — we’re all novices here).

The ride itself is simply brilliant. Varied and testing terrain up and down (often very steep) moorland, plus the odd road, long fields and rivers and banks to negotiate.

Bee’s thoroughbred blood stands him in good stead and, looking back, I could have ridden him quicker. However, if my map reading was better and I hadn’t underestimated how far we were from the finish, I wouldn’t have had to.

I’ll admit, though, that 25km feels a long way and I have new respect for those competing over longer distances.

Nerves return for the vet inspection, but Bee passes, his heart rate only two beats higher than in the morning. Now that I have had a taste of endurance I haven’t ruled out another go. Fingers crossed the Golden Horseshoe finds a new organising team for 2016.

Emily: not the easy ‘hack’ we expected

Last minute boot cleaning, map reading and sandwich making and we were finally ready for our 23km endurance ride. Waking to perfect riding weather with beautiful blue skies and a light breeze — our excitement heightened despite the early start and hour and a half drive to the venue.

My ride for the day was Sox a beautiful 16.2 Hanoverian, very kindly loaned to me by an old friend Niki Bradley. Having gained some practice on him before the ride I knew he was going to be the perfect horse for the job and was keen to get back in the saddle.

As we arrived at the venue and found our horses we all took in the relaxed atmosphere, with fellow team members offering us last minute advice and wishing us well.

With all four horses passing the pre-ride vetting with low pulses and good action, we were ready for our 11.20 start time. Having worked as a groom and trail ride leader for Burrowhayes Farm (a local campsite offering horse riding across the Exmoor National Park) I was familiar with the local countryside and its fantastic riding, and was keen to get out on the tracks. Although aware my navigational skills are not the strongest!

Half an hour in, and having negotiated rivers, gates, steep slopes and rocky paths we all realised it wasn’t to be the easy ‘hack’ we expected, and with a speed of between 10-11km/h to gain we needed to kick on. Sox proved to be the sure footed, ready to please ride I had hoped for. Happy to help with gate duties and ride out ahead or behind I couldn’t have wished for a more willing horse, allowing me to enjoy the views and scenery that greeted us at every turn.

Crossing the finish line, with aching legs I couldn’t help feeling proud of our team having completed our first endurance ride together. With only half an hour before our post ride vetting there was little time to succumb to our aching muscles and we got to work on washing our horses to cool them down in preparation for their second pulse check.

With our horses through the vetting and happily grazing we were finally able to pick a spot for our eagerly anticipated picnic, remove our boots and admire our rosettes.

Despite not winning we all agreed we had a brilliant time and felt lucky to have been invited to ride in such a well known and well loved ride. The organisers at the event were fantastic and the atmosphere was brilliant, with amateurs such as ourselves and experienced endurance riders mixing and helping each other out.

Rachael: ‘let’s hope for many more years’

I w

as impressed by the standard of competition across the board at this year’s Golden Horseshoe. Riders pushed on through even the trickiest terrain and kept their pace up right to the end of the long course.

My little mare Rozann, kindly loaned to me by Marion of Burrowhayes Farm, made easy work of the task (the same could not be said for myself!) My thighs started aching pretty early on and I completely underestimated the speed which was required to make the time.

Everyone was so friendly and riders were polite, asking us for permission whenever they wanted to overtake, which was slightly more frequent than we may have planned!

It was great that all our horses passed the vettings with flying colours and although our rosettes were yellow rather than red, we all felt a great sense of achievement finishing the tough challenge as a team.

The future seems brighter for the ride than originally thought — fingers crossed it continues for many more years. I would love to come back and take on the Golden Horseshoe once more.

Polly: ‘a great partner’

It was with a little nervous anticipation that I greeted my ride for the day, ex-racehorse Son Histoire (Sonny). On my one previous ride on him, he had proved fairly hot and buzzy and I wondered whether he would be a handful. As it was he strolled out of the trailer looking fairly relaxed and proved to be a pretty cool customer throughout the vetting.

As we circled at the start, being counted down, it felt a bit like waiting to begin a cross-country round, and Sonny definitely felt so too. He was not terribly happy with the anticlimax that followed, as we walked sedately across the line and down the field.

But the pace quickly picked up, as did the intensity of the terrain, which varied wildly throughout the ride from steep, rocky paths, to rivers, dense woodland, open moorland and country lanes. Far from being a 23km walk in the park, the ride proved more challenging than the four of us had imagined, and Sonny was a great partner, staying fresh throughout and taking everything we faced in his stride, as well as showing off his top gear when we had the chance for a gallop.

The fantastic views and kind weather made for a really enjoyable ride, even if my un-riding fit legs had turned to jelly by about kilometre 20. We received a lovely welcome as we crossed the finish, with all our horses sound and happy.

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A Horse & Hound team has completed the Golden Horseshoe and came third behind stiff competition.

Showing, vet and point-to-point editor Aimi Clark, designer Emily Secrett, news writer/digital sub editor Rachael Hook and dressage/print sub editor Polly Bryan took on the 23km pleasure ride at the 50th anniversary event last weekend (17-19 May).

Their team section was won by the Golden Oldies, experienced endurance riders Liz Finney, Sally Hall, Marie Maclean-Foreman and Jane James, who finished with a score of 127.58.

“We all absolutely loved the experience, the ride was beautiful and everyone was so welcoming,” said H&H team member Rachael Hook.

“Our team has little endurance experience and it was far more challenging than we anticipated, but it was a brilliant introduction to the sport.”

In second position was the Tawbitts Team (pictured right) riding Exmoor ponies. Sheralee Matravers, Ann Bassett, Charlotte Matravers and Jessica Pryce scored 75.7. The Horse & Hound team closely followed with a score of 71.51.

Scores were calculated via the horse’s heart rates and the time they completed the course.

This year’s Golden Horseshoe was thought to be the last as event organiser Barbara Wigley, 67, and her six-strong committee had decided to step down.

However, Barbara, who has been involved in the ride for more than 30 years, is feeling more positive about its future since several people have expressed an interest in forming a new committee.

“We have got a few people who are interested and who know others that would join a committee,” she told H&H. “We hope it will stay down here [on Exmoor].”

Discussions will be made over a new committee in the next couple of months.

“This year’s Horseshoe was wonderful — just like the old times,” added Barbara.

“The past few years we haven’t had quite as many entries but this year we had well over 200.

“I’ve loved organising it. The Horseshoe has such a special atmosphere. I first rode it in 1984 and came back year after year.

“Everyone helps each other along, from the pleasure ride to the 100 mile. To me that’s what endurance is about.”

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Last week’s Golden Horseshoe Ride (17-19 May 2015) had us all dreaming about enjoying the wilds of Exmoor. Take a look at our pick of equestrian properties in the Exmoor area.

1. Spring Grove

County: Somerset

For you: Renovated and redecorated, this Grade II nine-bedroom house is ready to move in to. Set in undulating countryside down a long private drive, it comes complete with a swimming pool, lake and two cottages.

For the horses: Two loose boxes, a stall and former feed store or tack room, set in 54.43 acres.

Price: £4.5m

Agent: Knight Frank

Tel: 01392 848823

Visit: www.knightfrank.co.uk

2. Venford House

County: Somerset

For you: Set in a secluded corner of the Exmoor National Park, this period property — which is thought to date from the late 18th or early 19th century — has a two to three-bedroom main house with an adjoining three-bedroom home that is currently providing income as a holiday let.

For the horses: Two stables, a tack room, four fields and a paddock, all set in 10 acres.

Price: £895,000

Agent: Fine & Country

Tel: 01398 324818

Visit: www.fineandcountry.com

Continued below…

Your memories of the Golden Horseshoe [PICTURES]

The Golden Horseshoe Ride takes place for what might be the final year this week (17-19 May). Take a look

3. Yealscombe

County: Somerset

For you: A six-bedroom family farmhouse — complete with an Aga — with impressive views over the surrounding countryside. There is also a former coach house providing a three-bedroom cottage, as well as a separate one-bedroom groom’s flat.

For the horses: A traditional stone courtyard with five boxes, a tack room and hay store. In all about 33.43 acres.

Price: Around £1m

Agent: Savills

Tel: 01392 455700

Visit: www.savills.com

4. Liddycleave

County: Somerset

For you: This four-bedroom period cottage is situated in Exmoor National Park, with fishing rights on the River Exe and the coast to the north within easy reach.

For the horses: A stable block with a 1.3-acre paddock and plenty of bridleways that lead out onto the adjoining countryside and open moorland.

Price: £595,000

Agent: Stags

Tel: 01398 323174

Visit: www.stags.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

This year’s Golden Horseshoe (17-19 May) will be the 50th running of the ride, but it may be the last as no one has stepped in to take over from the retiring organiser.

Take a look at our readers’ memories of the Exmoor endurance ride.

Lorna Hogg: ‘A totally fabulous experience’

“I undertook the long journey to get there from Aberdeenshire in 2009. I had planned it and worked towards it for two years with my thoroughbred x Welsh gelding, as my way of doing something special having just turned 30 a few weeks before it,” says Lorna Hogg.

“A totally fabulous experience, one I will never forget — the support I had there and at home was amazing and very special — topped off by achieving a gold award, among other trophies, in the two day 160km class.

“This year I am excited to be taking my younger horse to do the two day 160km again. The atmosphere at this event is also quite different and very special, the countryside is so open. Lasting contacts and friendships were also made that weekend.”

Evelyn Orr: ‘Unforgettable’

“I completed the Golden Horseshoe in 2005 with my mare Ginti, we had heavy rain, wind and sunshine over the two-day 160km ride,” says Evelyn Orr. “Nineteen combinations started that year and only seven of us finished. My horse was a star, and I will never forget it.”

Katharine Midgley: ‘A silver medal at 20 years old’

“Here is my boy Quazar Star (Dusty) at the 2008 Golden Horseshoe,” says Katharine Midgley. “And again in 2009 — a silver medal award at 20 years old, he loved it. RIP my trusty Dusty.”

Tracey Chilvers: ‘So proud to say I did it’

“I have done the Golden Horseshoe twice. It rained and there was strong wind from start to finish the first time I did it,” says Tracey Chilvers.

“It was such a tough ride but I am so pleased and proud to say I rode the Golden Horseshoe. I live in Norfolk where it is very flat so my horse Iltshi did me proud to get us up and down the biggest hills we have ever dealt with and came home sound with a pass.”

Horse & Hound is fielding a team in this year’s event, for updates on training and how they get on click here

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The Golden Horseshoe was first run on Exmoor in 1965, but the current organiser Barbara Wigley, 67, retires this year, and no one has yet stepped up to take the helm. On the eve of its 50th anniversary, which could be its last, we take a look back at the ride’s history.

1. The first ride was organised in 1965 by the British Horse Society, promoted by author Ronald Duncan and Colonel Mike Ansell, and sponsored by The Sunday Telegraph. It was so popular that organisers had to close entries a month early, having reached the limit of 110 entrants.

2. The route started at Malmsmead and finished at Ronald Duncan’s home in Welcombe, Devon.

3. In 1965 there were no markers, and riders had to find their own way, including navigating across ‘The Chains’ [a wild moorland ridge] with the help of local people on Exmoor ponies.

4. There were also no vets, no RAYNET communications and no St John Ambulance on standby.

5. For that first ride there was no minimum speed and one couple was allegedly seen to have their own chauffeured car following them, so that they could stop for a picnic along the way.

6. In 1965, welfare campaigner Glenda Spooner and jockey John Oaksey were waiting at the finish to check the horses were in good condition.

7. All those who completed that first race at 6mph or above received a gold-painted horseshoe.

8. When the event started out, it used to move to a different venue each year, including Brighton and Yorkshire. But in 1974 it returned to Exmoor permanently.

9. As the years passed, the ride became more organised with routes being marked out with painted horseshoes fixed on poles, and later with flags made out of fertiliser bags. Rules also became more stringent, and vetting procedures advanced to ensure that horse welfare was paramount.

The 2015 ride runs from 17-19 May. For more information visit www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

H&H Golden Horseshoe team blog: stunning views and aching legs

With just days to go until the Horse & Hound team tackle the Golden Horseshoe, team members Polly Bryan and

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With just days to go until the Horse & Hound team tackle the Golden Horseshoe, team members Polly Bryan and Rachael Hook update us on their training

Polly: minor acrobatics and protesting thighs

With the 25km Golden Horseshoe ride looming, and having not sat on a horse since going hunting on New Year’s Day, I got in some match practice by heading to Somerset to ride my potential mount for the event.

Sunny, a buzzy 16.3hh ex-pointer, isn’t the usual type of horse you would imagine taking part in an endurance event, but I’m sure he will prove an excellent partner. He has been very kindly lent to me by Jess Baker.

Fellow H&H team member Emily Secrett and I were lucky enough to have beautiful weather as we set off onto Exmoor.

For the first half of the ride, my attention was more focused on the car rally that was taking place in the area — all four of us were acutely aware of the ominous sound of rally cars in the distance.

Thankfully, after being chased up a hill by one such rally car, and Sunny displaying some minor acrobatics, we were into the peace and quiet of the moor.

As we climbed, assessing Sunny and Sox’s suitability for gate opening (Sox – very, Sunny – not so much), the views of the sea and surrounding countryside began to open up — it was really stunning.

My four months out of the saddle quickly became apparent as we upped the pace, and my thighs began to protest. As all riders know, it doesn’t matter how generally fit you are, riding fit is something else entirely!

Sunny gradually began to chill out as we headed for home, and I started to look forward to the ride itself. He’s a really lovely horse, although I feel our biggest challenge may be staying under the maximum speed allowed.

To add to the fun of our day, Emily and I also had the chance to try out another horse for the event. This took our riding time up to three hours — it was safe to say I was in a fair amount of pain the next day. Big thanks to Burrowhayes Farm for this very kind opportunity.

Unfortunately, I won’t have the opportunity to ride Sunny again before the Golden Horseshoe, but I will do my best to get back in the saddle once more. I’ll also be hitting the gym — it’s not the same, but it can’t hurt!

Rachael: ‘a rare treat’

Despite a very early start from London I was really looking forward to my first ride in Exmoor.

My ride for the day was Rozanne, a lively little Welsh section D, who was very kindly loaned to me by Burrowhayes Farm. The campsite and riding stables is set in the heart of Exmoor National Park and offers incredible hacking opportunities. I am used to riding in east Kent, so this plentiful off-road riding is a rare treat.

We began our ride heading up through woodland, passing wild ponies and deer among the trees. Eight-year-old Rozanne, who I may be taking on the ride itself, was incredibly sure-footed and made her way up the rocky paths with ease.

After climbing our way to the top of headland and enjoying a few canters, we were able to take in the view. Despite the overcast conditions the outlook was spectacular and I’m so excited to see more of this beautiful countryside.

Although this is the first time I have ridden in this part of the country, I have been trying to get as much time in the saddle as possible during the past few months on my own horse. I am also in training for Edinburgh Marathon so this should hopefully help me on the day.

I have the daunting prospect of a 20-mile run the same weekend as the ride. but I’m trying not to think about that too much…

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A Horse & Hound team will be taking part in the Golden Horseshoe this year — in which is likely to be the final time the ride takes place.

The 2015 Golden Horseshoe (17-19 May) will be the 50th incarnation of the ride, but is likely to be the last on Exmoor as no one has stepped in to take over from the retiring organiser.

Ride organiser Barbara Wigley, 67, has been involved in the ride for more than 30 years and running it since 2007, but is stopping this year. The rest of her six-strong committee have said they are also giving up.

Showing, vet and point-to-point editor Aimi Clark, designer Emily Secrett, digital sub editor Rachael Hook and print sub editor Polly Bryan will be taking on the 23km pleasure ride challenge on Sunday 19 May.

Aimi will be riding her sister’s eventer, while the other three will be competing on borrowed horses.

“I’ve lived in Devon since I was 10 and always thought I should give the Golden Horseshoe a go, as it’s such a big deal and so close to home, but never have,” said Aimi.

“I’ve never competed in endurance before, bar fun rides organised by hunts and riding clubs, so this seemed a great opportunity to tick two boxes.

“I evented/Pony Clubbed a lot in the past, but I don’t ride competitively as much these days, so it will be nice to get out into an exciting horsey environment again and be in the saddle, rather than just holding a notebook and pen like I usually do.

Rachael added: “My endurance experience is limited — I’ve ridden cross-country rides of about 10 miles in the past, but I’ve always been more focused on the jumps than the time I get round.

“I’m fairly fit from running — I’m doing the Edinburgh marathon at the end of May — so hopefully that should help on the day. I’m feeling less than confident about orienteering — I usually follow a sat-nav…”

The team will be covering 23km, with an optimum average speed of 10/11kmph. They are likely to complete in around two and a quarter hours.

When they arrive at the finish their scores will be calculated via the horse’s heart rates and the time they complete in. The three best scores will be used for the competition. All pulses must be under 64.

“I used to work on a trekking yard on Exmoor so am excited to do the ride for the beautiful countryside,” said Emily, who has taken part in Endurance GB pleasure and graded rides in the past.

While Polly added: “For me it’s mainly a chance to get out of London and ride in beautiful surroundings. I’ve never done any kind of long-distance riding or anything, although I did once work on a trekking centre on Dartmoor so it will be nice to get a taste of that again, albeit needing to be a bit fitter!”

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This year’s Golden Horseshoe (17-19 May) will be the 50th incarnation of the ride, but is likely to be the last on Exmoor as no one has stepped in to take over from the retiring organiser.

The iconic ride, which is considered by many endurance riders to be the ultimate test of fitness, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Ride organiser Barbara Wigley, 67, has been involved in the ride for more than 30 years and running it since 2007, but is stopping this year. The rest of her six-strong committee have said they are also giving up.

Mrs Wigley said rising costs, fundraising and spiralling paperwork and health and safety demands are to blame.

“All of us have decided to stop after the 50th anniversary, but we are hoping that someone will take it on,” Mrs Wigley told H&H. “But if no one comes along, the ride will not happen next year.”

Some Endurance GB members have suggested the ride should revert to moving around the country, as it did when it was started.

The first Golden Horseshoe Ride was run on Exmoor in 1965 by the British Horse Society. Promoted by Col. Mike Ansell and poet Ronald Duncan, the first ride was so popular that entries closed a month early as they had reached the 110 limit.

The linear route began at Malsmead and finished in Welcombe, Devon, and riders had to find their own way.

At the finish, welfare campaigner Glenda Spooner and jockey John Oaksey checked the horses and the riders who completed at 6mph and above were all given a golden horseshoe.

The event moved each year until 1974, when it became permanently based on Exmoor.

International endurance rider Trisha Hirst said: “It is very sad the Golden Horseshoe is coming to an end. It is a sign of how the sport is changing.

“Most people now work and don’t have time to get horses fit enough to do the Horseshoe,” she told H&H. “Fifty years ago there were lots more people at home, and many hunting people used to do the ride at the end of the season.”

Mrs Wigley added: “We will be going out with a bang. One of the original riders will be coming on the great-granddaughter of the horse she rode in 1965.”

➤ H&H is fielding a team in this year’s event, for updates on training and how they get on visit: www.horseandhound.co.uk/goldenhorseshoe

Ref: Horse & Hound; 19 March

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Competitors at the Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor (12-14 May) braved atrocious conditions.

Some riders had to hack up to four miles to reach the start because it was too wet to let lorries on to the venue.

“The weather was easily the worst we have had; constant rain turned it into a mud bath,” said organiser Barbara Wigley.

But the seven classes still produced many finishers, with two gold awards going to Sarah Takle and Sue Salmon in the 25km para invitation class.

In the 160km, the sole medal went to veteran David Yeoman on Marlouf De Norvavre. The only other finisher (of 10 starters) was 14-year-old Katie Mellor on Angelina Ginny — at 12.2hh, the smallest pony ever to have completed the class.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (23 May 2013)

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This year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor (12-14 May) is to become a ‘festival of endurance’.

In addition to a new invitation class for para riders, in which para riders will be accompanied by an experienced Exmoor endurance competitor, there will be three other new endurance tests:

• The Exmoor Extra: 120kms split into three rides of 40km each day, for advanced level horse and rider combinations.
• The Exmoor 40: a 40km ride for combinations competing at open or above.
• The Exmoor Novice: a 40km ride for novice horses and riders, with slower completion speeds.

“The paralympics last year proved the determination and ability of para riders and we saw no reason why they should not be given their chance of Exmoor as well,” said Golden Horseshoe organiser Barbara Wigley.

These classes are in addition to the regular two-day Exmoor Stag class over 80kms and 40kms routes, the 80kms one-day Exmoor 80 and the popular Exmoor Experience class, where two 40kms-a-day rides are designed to give riders and horses a taste of competition over the very testing Exmoor terrain.

There will also be the Horseshoe Team Challenge, in which groups of three or four riders competing in any of the classes come together with the best three results to count.

And if all of the above sound a bit too challenging, the first ride of the three-day annual festival will be a 25kms sponsored pleasure ride.

“The Golden Horseshoe Ride has always been viewed as one of the highlights of the endurance season,” said Barbara.

“What we have attempted to do this year is to turn it into a festival of endurance by widening the choice of challenges available and make it available to everyone.”

Visit www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk for more information.

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Para riders will take part in their own class at Britain’s best-known endurance ride, the Golden Horseshoe on Exmoor, for the first time next year.

The organisers are looking for competitive riders with a disability to take part in a graded 25km para class at the 2013 event (12-14 May).

An escort and crew will be provided for each para rider to introduce them to the sport.

For more information, contact barbaraann.wigley@btinternet.com.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (8 November 2012)

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Eventer Mary King has proved herself to be a natural at another horsesport — endurance riding.

Mary chose the tough terrain of Exmoor for her debut, after accepting an invitation to negotiate the first 40k (25 miles) of an 80k (50 miles) competition in the famous Golden Horseshoe Ride on Sunday (15 May).

And she completed at 12.8kph, fast enough to be listed among the possibles for a Gold award had she completed the second day at a similar speed with her horse clear of veterinary penalties.

Mary was riding Mellow Jazz, a 15hh Arab gelding who in 2004 competed on a British team in France and owned by Karen Jones from Culmstock, Devon. “He was wonderful out on the moor, very tough and so nimble,” Mary said afterwards.

“I am always keen to try something new and having watched the endurance competitors at the World Championships last year I jumped at the chance to try it myself.

“The preparation was impressive. The owners and riders are so dedicated, and the vetting was an education.

“Riding with my stirrups so long was strange, but I think I was fit enough. I’ll know tomorrow morning!”

And she added “I would love to come back and try it again — as long as I can ride Jazz, of course”

Mary was escorted over the Exmoor course by endurance Young Rider champion Abby Chisholm, 15, from Lydford on nearby Dartmoor.

“Riding with Mary was a dream come true,” she said. “She is very competitive!”

Mary jumped from the saddle and minutes later was dashing away for a journey to France for a three-star horse trial at Saumur

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Winner of the first Golden Horseshoe Ride Rachel Pope died in February, aged 89.

Rachel won many championships at White City and other shows, riding the ponies of her horse-dealing uncle.

The same ponies took her hunting with the West Kent and to Pony Club activities and, in 1937, aged 15, she won the first ever Golden Horseshoe Ride.

A staunch believer that one should give back to the horseworld, she instigated and ran a local show for many years. In her 40s she took her advanced instructor qualification to help the West Somerset branch of the Pony Club.

She leaves a daughter Diana Day and niece Catriona Cook.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 April, 2011)

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Olympic silver medallist Mary King will take part in this year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor on May 16.

The popular event rider will ride the first quarter of the two-day 100 mile class, accompanied by an experienced competitor and riding a borrowed endurance horse.

She said: “I watched some of the endurance competition at last year’s World Championships and was really impressed by the fitness of the horses and the courage of the riders.”

“When I was invited to the Golden Horseshoe I jumped at the chance of trying it myself.

“It also gives me the opportunity of seeing something of Exmoor and experiencing the kind of challenge the competitors face.”

With the European Endurance Championships later in this year, organiser Barbara Wigley is hoping top riders will use the Golden Horseshoe as part of their preparations.

Speaking about Mary’s involvement she said: “We hope that her interest will highlight the sport to the equestrian world in general and to the general public.”

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Endurance riders will tackle new routes at this year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor (15-17 May), with organiser Barbara Wigley hoping that leading partnerships will use the 160k (100 miles) class en route to selection for the European Championships.

“The 160km class is possibly the most demanding on the British calendar and is ideally suited to riders looking towards international competition,” said Mrs Wigley.

Home International chef d’equipe Maggie Pattinson said she would encourage all top riders to compete.

“Years ago, people would head to Exmoor to get some hard work under their belts,” she said. “We’ve gone through a phase of being a bit soft and worried the horse might break — but we’ve got to see if these horses are fit enough.”

“Exmoor is always demanding, but looking at what the course offers, it will be good,” she added. “Barbara Wigley is really putting the Horseshoe back on the map.”

Besides the 160k, 120k (75 miles), two-day and one-day 80k (50 miles) classes, the Golden Horseshoe will also stage a sponsored pleasure ride with a new family class — for one adult and two children over 25k (15 miles).

“The route takes them over some wonderful county, but we will exclude the more demanding areas, which are reserved for the competitive rides,” said Mrs Wigley.

This year’s course will take in Winsford Hill, Hawkridge, Cheriton Ridge, Badgworthy Water, Oareford, Lucott Cross and Exford Common, with the halfway halt in the 160k class at Honeymead.

For information, visit www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk or call Barbara Wigley, tel: 01643 834183.

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‘And this is Jazz’ said a smiling Karen Jones, one of GB’s leading endurance riders, handing me a diminutive chestnut 14-year-old arab. But I know how tough these little horses are, and was soon to be reminded of it.

Like many things in horses, Exmoor’s Golden Horseshoe Ride — a legendary 100-mile challenge — has reinvented itself in recent times. Most participants come to tackle still challenging but shorter rides, including a 50-mile one-day ride, and a 50-miler split across two days, rather than the main 100-mile whopper.

This year, the enterprising Golden Horseshoe team persuaded several equestrian journalists to take part in a 25-mile ride at race pace, and thoughtfully secured brilliant weather for it.

Listen to an interview with Lucy before the ride

Jazz had reassuringly smooth paces, and a dreamily comfy endurance saddle. Off we set at a brisk hunting trot, with Karen advising on the pace. Keep going, seems to be the rule — never mind the gradient, the rocks, the precipitous drop on one side — you daren’t really walk for a minute.

Exmoor is especially stunning from the back of a horse. Local school children waved us past in Exford, and we pressed on through farmland, over open moor, across rivers and up the odd massive incline, barely touching roads at all.

With every passing mile one’s sense of ‘So what’s the big deal with this sport?’ crumbles as you realise that endurance is a description, not a label. My admiration for the gutsy, ever willing Jazz grew with every passing kilometre. He tried his heart out up murderous hills, and as soon as he had got his wind back, offered canter wherever the terrain allowed. He hated the sight of a horse in front of him — good endurance horses have to be very competitive, self motivated, and unbelieveably forward going.

One soon learns how to handle the terrain to suit the horse. Through occasionally gluey soft peat patches on the open moor, Jazz almost preferred to canter than to get bogged down in trot. And you can barely afford any walking time if you are to achieve ‘gold medal’ speed of 12kmph, as was our goal.

Karen’s wonderful crew met us at certain intervals, to sluice down the horses, offer water or sloppy sugar beet (Jazz’s favourite) to the horses, and a banana or sweets to the riders.

With about 8km to go, and the feet getting a little tired, I suddenly lurched in the saddle — my left stirrup leather had broken. A makeshift knot sufficed until we could intercept our support crew and hastily swap it.

‘We may just make gold by the skin of our teeth — but we will need that 7min gate allowance,’ said Karen, scrutinising her stop watch. The final couple of kilometres afforded good going and there was a real sense of determination as Jazz wove at a canter through the gorse and crossed the finishing line.

The final challenge

But in endurance, the finish line marks the start of the final challenge — passing the vet, with a heart rate (for the horse) of under 55 beats per minute within 30min. It was perhaps the most fascinating part of the contest. We leapt off, unclipped the bits from the horses’ endurance bridles, and immediately start washing off with cold water.

Karen fitted a heart rate monitor to Jazz and used a stethoscope to double check it. ‘88. He’s very hot. More water.’ The team worked with calm efficiency, washing, scraping, a small walk, checking them again.

The horses’ heart rates dropped steadily, then seemed to rise again. ‘There’s a breeze — rugs!’ ordered Karen. We tried to distance them from the PA system and keep the horses together lest noise or separation anxiety might raise their heartbeats. Twenty minutes passed, and finally we thought we could present them to the vet. Pass!

It had been a marvellous experience. But the abiding memory is of a fit horse’s largely unexplored reserves. How many of them in Britain have become prisoners of the loosebox, manege or horsewalker? The Golden Horseshoe shows them doing what they are meant to do. So, all you riders — something to add to the ‘do before you die’ list?

Listen to an interview with Lucy after the ride

• Lucy completed the course at 12.2kph to receive a Gold Award

Don’t miss H&H’s full report from this year’s Golden Horseshoe ride, out on Thursday 27 May

Photos supplied courtesy of Ian Wigley

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Horse & Hound editor Lucy Higginson is one of five equestrian magazine editors who will be taking up the Golden Horseshoe Challenge next week.

The editors have been invited by ride organiser Barbara Wigley, who has set up a special class for them on Tuesday 18 May, the final day of the three-day endurance competition in Exmoor.

“We have organised a ride over 25 miles of the 100-mile course,” she said.

“Owners have kindly loaned us horses that are fit and ready to go and each editor will be accompanied by a rider who is eligible for selection for the World Championships this year — and where they can, they will crack on at Gold speed of 7.5 miles an hour.”

Lucy said: “Having visited the Golden Horseshoe ride before I know what a sensational, stunning and historic distance ride it is — an icon of rural Britain in fact.

“I’m hugely looking forward to experiencing a section of the ride at a true endurance ‘race pace’, and trying not to get massively competitive about it.

“I’ve done enough hunting this winter to know that I’m up to 25 miles at a brisk pace, but my downfall may be the ‘turnout and handling’ judging at the initial vettings. I’ve yet to master ‘endurance chic’ and will probably end up looking like a well muffled eventer. Still I’ll be doing my best to keep the Horse & Hound name firmly in front!”

Lisa Reich, acting editor of H&H’s sister title Horse magazine will also be riding.

“I’m so excited, but I’m a little nervous, too,” said Lisa.

“As well as riding, obviously, I’ve been spending several hours in a Bikram yoga studio in a bid to get my leg muscles as flexible as possible. The last time I did an endurance ride, I cried the next day and begged my boyfriend to get me a bed pan because I was in too much pain to get up. He said he didn’t love me that much. Ask me again the day after.”

Lucy and Lisa will be joined by Nicky Moffatt from Horse and Rider, Julie Brown from Your Horse and Fiona Price from the Horse Hero website.

“We are not asking anything in return,” added Barbara. “We just want the journalists to see at first hand what the Golden Horseshoe is all about and just how tough Exmoor can be.”

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Feed company Dodson & Horrell is to support the 2010 Golden Horseshoe Ride (16-18 May) across Exmoor.

The company will help fund the vetting area and the six veterinary surgeons that examine horses before and after each day’s competition and on the course.

Organiser Barbara Wigley said: “Funding for the Golden Horseshoe Ride becomes more crucial year by year.

“For us to get support from a major company like Dodson & Horrell is not only a practical help but an acknowledgment that endurance riding generally is being recognised as a national equestrian discipline.”

Dodson & Horrell will also supply tubs of Surelyte, a comprehensive blend of electrolyte salts, as prizes in kind for various competition and condition awards, and goody bags for all competing riders.

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The Golden Horseshoe endurance ride features in BBC1’s Countryfile programme this week.

The 100 mile (160k) ride across Exmoor is one of the UK’s most challenging endurance events.

It takes place over two days with 50 miles to be covered on both days.

The Exford area provides a diverse and challenging terrain of moorland, steep climbs and descents, river crossings as well as woodland.

• Countryfile, BBC1 11am, Sunday 18 May.

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The medal tally at this year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor set a new record with 15 gold, 22 silver and nine bronze medals picked up across the four classes.

Bright sunshine combined with a cooling wind helped riders achieve these impressive results.

Barbara Wigley, leader of the organising committee, said: “The main thing that came out this year is the lessons that have been learned about competing in heat and sun, and the consideration that most riders show their horses over this very demanding country.”

But there was disappointment for BBC Television’s Countryfile reporter Adam Henson, who failed the vetting at the start of the second day because his horse, Summerfold Windsor, was favouring a small cut in his heel.

Adam said he was “gutted, but poor old Windsor comes first”, before supporting one of his trainers, Nikki Routledge, who took a Silver in the 100-mile class.

“I didn’t do much,” he said. “I just threw some water about. But it was all an eye opener to see what goes into this sport.”

www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

Read H&H’s full report from the Golden Horseshoe, on sale 22 May ’08

Medal winners

The Exmoor Golden Horseshoe (100 miles, 50 miles on each of two days)

• Carolyn Pacey (Infidella) Gold
• David Yeoman (Eleazor de Landas) Gold
• Gillian Talbot (Malabar Storm) Gold
• Gillian Mann (WFA Zaleem) Gold
• Judy Baynes (HS Exile) Gold
• Anthony Sargent (Ell Kaleefa Rose) Silver
• Carol Jones (Ptolemaeus) Silver
• Nikki Routledge (Wickham’s Just Distinct) Silver
• Kirsty Wiscombe (Connie) Silver

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, riding HC on two horses and sponsored, completed in gold time

The Exmoor Stag (75 miles, 50 on day one, 25 on day two)

• Sally Hall (Barn Owl) Gold
• Karen Jones (Dancing Ruala) Silver

The Exmoor 80 (50 miles in one day)

• Kevin Waterman (Magic Fire) Gold
• Elizabeth Graves-Morris (Greylake) Silver
• Alison House (Aberllwyd Briar Rose) Bronze
• Douglas Campbell (Tribute Tricolore) Bronze
• Christine Smyth (Spice III) Bronze

The Exmoor Experience (25 miles on each of two days)

• Georgina Harris (Auburn Emblem) Gold
• Jessica Strong (Sorhez Amir) Gold
• Sue Bostelmann (Bint Shahfiyah) Gold
• Carolyn Edwards (Oakways Patchwork Girl) Gold
• Ray Davidson (Saintwestwell Silver Mask) Gold
• Tracie Rose (Azed Sharah) Gold
• Katherine Letherby (Diamonds Belkira) Gold
• Amanda Nicholson (Esta Leonardo Diabo) Gold
• Natasha Bailey (Moonlight Striker) Silver
• Jenny Kidd (Keeloges Shamoan) Silver
• Sally Mellor (Halim el Shaklan) Silver
• Laura Brown (Golden Boy) Silver
• Jenny Pearson (Al Aasi) Silver
• James Hardwick (Druimghigha Luxor) Silver
• Trisha Hardwick (Redx) Silver
• Andrew Chisholm (Cyrion) Silver
• Jo Chisholm (Khanspur) Silver
• Glynis Grizzell (Redwing Shalico) Silver
• Jane James (Steel Tobias) Silver
• Beverley Davis (Steeple Charm) Silver
• Sally Toye (HS Eclipse) Silver
• Trisha Monokham (Hajar Kareem) Silver
• Gillian Hasberry (St Flannans Niamh) Silver
• Frankie Turley (Lynvale Myway) Silver
• Anne Edwards (Cwrtcyadno Aabishann Delta) Bronze
• Jane Bradley (Gelliflach Boneddwr) Bronze
• June West (Sunny Boy Black Beauty) Bronze
• Lucinda Stapleton (Coco Chanel) Bronze
• Linda Dod (Ra Ra Rasputin) Bronze
• Gemma Bode (Faretta Chatanz) Bronze

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A record nine riders in the two-day 100-mile class in the Golden Horseshoe Ride, plus 14 in the two-day 50-mile Exmoor Experience, are on track for recording gold medal times despite the unseasonably warm weather and demanding terrain facing horses and riders.

Adam Henson, a reporter with the BBC’s Countryfile programme, successfully completed his first day of endurance riding yesterday and faces his second 25-miles today (Tuesday 13 May).

Organiser Barbara Wigley said: “There are more riders on gold times than we expected. Having these numbers in this amazing weather shows how fit the horses are, and how well riders are coping.”

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report from the Golden Horseshoe Ride, on sale 22 May, ’08

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Record number of horses will descend on Exford in Somerset this weekend to take part in the 2008 Golden Horseshoe Ride (11-13 May).

The ride will be based at the same location as the well-known Exford Show and will follow a new route taking in open moorland, steep climbs and descents, river crossings and deep wooded combes.

The halfway halt will be at Honeymead, on land owned by Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen. Sir Stephen will be riding the 100-mile route in aid of one of his favourite local charities, the Honeymead Arts Trust.

The action gets underway on Sunday, May 11 with a sponsored pleasure ride. Riders have a choice of riding 10 miles in aid of the Moorland Mousie Trust or 16 miles for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Spectators can also enjoy watching Arabian horse and dog agility displays on Sunday.

On Monday (12 May) the first horse in the Golden Horseshoe Ride 100-mile class will start at 7.30am, immediately followed by the Exmoor Stag class (50 miles on day one and 25 miles on day two). The Exmoor Experience class (25 miles on each day) will send the first horse away at 10.30am.

The first horse away on Tuesday May 13, will be for the 100-mile class at 7.30am, followed by the starters in the one day, 50-mile Exmoor Eighty class. The Exmoor Experience will start its final day at 10.30am.

For more information visit: www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

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The Golden Horseshoe endurance ride will have another new route for 2008.

The famous Exmoor ride will take in the picturesque Doone Valley and Cheriton Ridge, and the tough uphill haul at Robbers Ridge.

The new route — in addition to amendments made for last year — will include open moorland, steep climbs, river crossings and deep wooded combes. The halfway halt is at Honeymead.

In the hope of attracting some new riders as well as pleasing Golden Horseshoe regulars, organiser Barbara Wigley is currently negotiating access to other new areas. These include Winsford Hill, Withypool Common, Horsen Hill, Pickedstones, parts of the Tarka Trail, Porlock Common and Wilmersham Common.

The Golden Horseshoe was Britain’s first endurance ride, started in 1965 over just 50 miles. Next year’s competition — scheduled for 11-13 May 2008 — features a range of classes from a pleasure ride to 160km competitive ride.

The Golden Horseshoe will also have a new start and finish site for 2008, with easier access to the traditional venue.

www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

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There were no gold medals awarded at this year’s two-day, 100-mile Exmoor Golden Horseshoe endurance ride. The wet weather combined with Exmoor’s challenging terrain to ensure that only two silver and three bronze results were achieved.

Silver medal-winning Belfast solicitor Helen McFarland and her part-bred Arab, J St Jake, took home the special prize of a free entry to next year’s Tevis Cup in California. This endurance ride covers 100 miles between Lake Tahoe and Auburn. The other silver medal went to David Yeoman riding Eleazar de Landas.

The new Exmoor Experience class, designed to give riders the taste of a two-day ride over the moor with 25 miles covered each day, produced two gold, seven silver and five bronze medals. The gold medals were won by Alex Nicholls with her Arab/Cleveland Bay gelding, Jimmy Mac and Liz Taylor with her pure-bred Arab, Karaanza.

Organiser Barbara Wigley said: “The elements plotted against us, although I think the rain and mud were less harmful to the horses than the baked ground just a week before the event.

“We are thrilled with the enthusiasm and support we have had this year and the results from the new Exmoor Experience class. It is sad that there were no gold awards in the hundred, but it is the hardest endurance course in the country.”

Read H&H’s full report on the Exmoor Golden Horseshoe Ride, including photos and further analysis, in 24 May issue

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The 100-mile Golden Horseshoe Ride (13-15 May) has drawn one of the largest entries for years.

At least 16 horses and riders will contest the two-day endurance competition which will start and finish at a new venue in Exford and will cover private, National Trust and Exmoor Park land.

This year the event will also run a 50-mile ride for the first time. The new Exmoor Experience is designed to give riders a less demanding taste of a two-day ride and has attracted 37 entrants.

Organiser Barbara Wigley said: “Interest this year has been magnificent. We are delighted at the number of riders in the 100-mile class, but the response to the new Exmoor Experience class is really encouraging.”

A 15-mile sponsored ride will take place on Sunday 13 May in aid of local charity, the Moorland Mousie Trust.

For more information visit www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

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Endurance riding’s esteemed Golden Horseshoe ride (13 – 15 May) has been honoured by the Exmoor National Park Authority. A 12-strong panel from the Authority have decided to administer a £5000 grant from the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund to the event which attracts competitors, supports and visitors from across Britain.

The sustainable development fund is designed to help groups and businesses living and working on Exmoor. “This grant is the best news we could have hoped for,” she organiser Barbara Wigley. “It is a mark of confidence from the National Park, which has given permission for us to ride over its land, and a signal to the equestrian world that our sport is gaining even more official recognition.”

This year the Golden Horseshoe ride will start and finish at a new venue and follow a different route. The two day, 100 mile (160km) Golden Horseshoe Ride is the centrepiece of the event, and widely acknowledged as one of the most demanding challenges in the endurance calendar. This is supported by the 75 mile (120km) Exmoor Stag, 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 and the Exmoor 80, one day of 50 miles (80km.)

There will also be 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.

For more information visit www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk

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Enquiries from as far away as Scotland have already been received for this year’s Golden Horseshoe Ride (13 – 15 May).

This year the 47-year-old ride, known as one of the most demanding challenges of the endurance calendar, will start and finish at a new venue and follow a different course. Competitors can enter a two-day 100 mile, 75 mile, 50 mile ride or a one-day 50 mile ride and there will also be a sponsored charity ride.

“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 organiser Mrs Wigley. The 100-mile ride is the centrepiece of the event and draws entries from all over Britain. “A gold award in the 100 mile class is a cherished ambition for many riders, but something which goes only to the very best,” Mrs Wigley added.

The new venue at Church Hill, Exford gives spectators the chance to watch riders negotiate the first and last mile of the course. Competitors will have 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. Phase two (day two) takes in forestry tracks over the Brendon Hills.

For riders who are not yet ready to take on the 100-mile challenge, the two-day 75 miles Exmoor Stag offers a more manageable task. The Exmoor Experience, a two-day 50 mile ride has been added into the schedule, giving combinations the experience of a two day ride on Exmoor without having to be at the peak of fitness. “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,” Mrs Wigley said.

A 15 mile (25km) sponsored pleasure ride on Sunday, 13 May, in aid of the Moorland Mousie Trust will give local riders the chance to join in the fun.

Horses’ welfare will be paramount throughout the competition. Horses will undergo examinations by veterinary surgeons before and after competing and at the halfway stage, and officials and vets will survey competitors throughout the competition.

“There is always a lot of interest in the Golden Horseshoe. The closing date for entries is not until 1 May, but already there have been enquiries from as far afield as Scotland. The sponsored ride is also going to be well supported by local riders,” Mrs Wigley added.

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The supreme accolade at the Griffin NuuMed Golden Horseshoe ride was won by two relative newcomers to the sport. Gold awards went to Sarah Thomas, 19, on Solomon’s Ikey and David Yeoman with Eleazar De Landas after a ride that produced the best completion rates for many years.

After completing the famous ride, the final veterinary inspection proved too much for Sarah Thomas, who wept throughout the entire procedure.

“This has been a very emotional ride for me,” she said. “I never realised 12kph would be so hard to achieve.”

It so nearly never happened for them. Overcome by exhaustion, Sarah had just about given up a few hundred metres from the finish, but loud encouragement from Phillip Hirst, son of international competitor and the Arab/Welsh Ikey’s owner Tricia and David Hirst, and the crowd on the line, motivated her to get going again. She finished spot on 12kph.

This effort proved worthwhile, as Ikey was awarded the Golden Horseshoe premier award for the horse who, in the opinion of the veterinary panel, is most capable of travelling a further 40km.

“It was fantastic. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” said David Yeoman, who’s planning a holiday for himself and the French part-Arab “EZ”. “Even the rain was a challenge.”

Both riders had experienced crews. David and EZ were supported by the horse’s owner, David’s sister-in-law and international rider Chris Yeoman, and his brother, John. Sarah had the Hirst family’s help.

“The Hirsts are kindly letting me ride him again at Cirencester in the FEI 120km young riders class,” said Sarah. “I’m hoping to qualify for the young rider squad.”

Read the full report from the Golden Horseshoe Ride in today’s Horse & Hound (1 June, ’06)

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Endurance GB has bowed to pressure from its members to retain the format of Exmoor’s Golden Horseshoe Ride after uproar about plans to abandon the now-traditional top-class two-day 100-mile ride.

EGB chairman Wendy Dunham told Horse & Hound that she and rides committee chairman Margaret McKiddie had been lobbied hard by members after plans were announced to curtail the 100-mile challenge in favour of a 75-mile top class.

The move had been in response to dwindling entries: last year just nine riders attempted the 100-mile event while there were 50 starters in shorter events.

McKiddie had told organisers that the cost of running the two-day 100-mile class was prohibitive. So serious was the threat to EGB’s finances that the rides committee is thought to have considered cancelling the event.

One member complained: “To hear that one of the pinnacles of endurance riding is in danger of being devalued on commercial grounds is indefensible.”

The original Golden Horseshoe Ride covered just 50 miles. In its heyday, the main class, which was run over 75 miles — until it increased to 100 miles in 1986 — attracted fields of 100-plus.

But Dunham warned: “People must understand this is now a ‘use it or lose it’ situation. We can’t run a class with so few entries.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (2 December ’04)

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Organisers of the Griffin NuuMed Golden Horseshoe endurance ride, which is to return to its traditional venue of Exford next May, this week submitted plans of the proposed route to Exmoor National Park Authority.

Problems with access, space and traffic in the tiny Exmoor village have dogged the calendar’s most renowned ride, which was controversially moved to nearby Dunster in 2003 pending changes at Exford.

However, organisers are satisfied that the Exford venue now meets health and safety requirements — largely thanks to one landowner, Chris Kirby, allowing access across his land, overcoming the problems of horses, traffic and pedestrians all using the same route.

Liz Hinings, chairman of the Wessex Group, which has taken over organisation of the ride, says: “Fortunately we’ve been able to address most of the issues, and the villagers are pleased to have the event back in Exford.”

The 160km class had suffered falling entries and few completions in the past few years, but Liz anticipates the improved route and venue will attract people back.

She continues: “It can be difficult to find good going now on Exmoor, but local riders Anne Newton and Chris Smythe — who know the moor well — have devised the new route, and we’re hoping it will be more achievable, yet challenging.”

Endurance GB chairman Wendy Dunham says: “Riders are thrilled that the Golden Horseshoe is back in Exford. We tried moving it away, but as long as we are welcomed by the village, Exford is the ride’s home.”

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