Endurance Magazine May/June 2020

Young Riders Improving partnerships

Training Schooling hacks May/June 2020

Official members' publication for Endurance GB

In this

Volume 17 – Issue 3

issue

Endurance GB Office Administration Endurance GB Office, Abbey Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RP t: 02476 697929 f: 02476 418429 Publisher

Unit C, Northfield Point, Cunliffe Drive, Kettering, Northants, NN16 9QJ t: 01536 527297 e: info@matrixprint.com Designed by Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Alex Morris Tolu Akinyemi Production Editor Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Catherine Baldock t: 01536 527 297 e: catherineb@matrixprint.com Advertising Sales Manager Matrix Print Consultants Ltd Andy Etherton t: 01536 527 297 e: andy@matrixprint.com Deadlines Copy Dates to Editor for future issues of Endurance: July/August by 10th July. If you wish to advertise in the July/August 2020 issue, artwork deadline is 4th August. The views and opinions of the writers are not necessarily those of the editor, Matrix Print Consultants Ltd or Endurance GB. Endurance magazine is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reproduced wholly or in part without the permission of Endurance GB and/or Matrix Print Consultants Ltd.

18

Regulars 4

28

Future Focus Endurance GB Chair Phil Nunnerley and International news

6

News

28

SERC

34

Blog

The latest updates

Andy Scott’s Kelpies

Bella Fricker talks about teams

30

Features Cover Photo Jade Edwards with Bliss Photo courtesy of Canon In The Country Photography

Follow us @EnduranceGB

12

Endurance vet Tom Eaton-Evans discusses colic

14

Nutrition

16

Training

18

Rider fitness

30

Travel

EnduranceGB @endurancegbinsta

Veterinary

Endurance GB 10

Young Riders Lockdown lowdown and improving partnerships

Feeding after colic surgery

Schooling hacks and fun

Ridercise fitness series 2

Equestrian escapes on your doorstep

20

We're all in this together The endurance community share their stories

38

Male Focus

40

Rider Profile

David Yeoman on his endurance success

Kate Atkinson in the spotlight

ISSN 2516-2349

contents

3

Future

focus

Phil Nunnerley Chair of Endurance GB

Dear Members, Frustration and boredom have increasingly crept up on us all as we have remained locked down over the last 14 weeks. The exception must be those dedicated staff working so wonderfully in the NHS who have our deepest respect and gratitude. There may just be a glimmer of optimism on the horizon. Some very limited coaching and/or training is now permitted and we remain hopeful that some time early in July we may get the green light to resume rides. However we must be realistic and recognise that many of our horses will take time to get fully fit again; restrictions, not least social distancing, will continue to have to be observed; and many of our volunteers may still prioritise their health and safety ahead of wider social contact. I am grateful to the Groups and ride organisers who stand ready to put rides on.

We must be sensible and in the beginning we can learn from a programme of social/pleasure rides before we look to be more ambitious. Of course as I write this we still await news as to whether the World Championships will still take place in Pisa.

In the past few weeks we have found many opportunities to keep members informed and entertained and our thanks go to all those who have organised the wide variety of activities we have been able to offer. Many of those have generated some very welcome income so a big thank you to all those who have generously contributed.

We all hope we can look forward to positive news in the next couple of weeks; that we can all get together again and enjoy our riding. And let's hope we don't have to face a second wave of the pandemic which sets us back again. Let's remember to be sensible and respect the advice and guidance that will attach to the resumption of rides thereby ensuring the safety of everyone participating, riders, officials and volunteers.

Phil 4

future focus

Endurance GB Board of Directors Chairman, Policy & Governance PHIL NUNNERLEY T: 07860 323968 / 01761 221561 E: philnunnerley@endurancegb.co.uk Finance Director CHRIS WRAY T: 07856 500519 / 01600 860938 E: chriswray@endurancegb.co.uk Groups, Health & Safety, The Office, Volunteering ROSEMARY HENDERSON T: 07894 477049 E: rosemaryhenderson@endurancegb.co.uk International Director, Development (Including Young & Junior Riders, Coaching, Futurity, Pony Club, Para) ROSEMARY ATTFIELD T: 07810 580880 / 01403 822567 E: rosemaryattfield@endurancegb.co.uk SERC Representative & Insurance CONSTANCE NEWBOULD T: 0131 445 2235 M: 07973 726001 Vice Chair, Operations Director, IT and BEF Equality Action Team Representative ESTHER YOUNG T: 07454 929919 E: estheryoung@endurancegb.co.uk Communications Director KERRY DAWSON T: 07818 283144 E: kerrydawson@endurancegb.co.uk Sponsorship Director SHAUN WALSH E: shaunwalsh@endurancegb.co.uk T: 07791 422909 Welfare Director ANTONIA MILNER-MATTHEWS T: 07712 559256 E: antoniamilner-matthews@endurancegb.co.uk Safeguarding Director AMANDA WOOLCOMBE E: amandawoolcombe@endurancegb.co.uk Directors of Endurance GB are volunteers, so please be patient and considerate with any queries. Most Directors work full time elsewhere and are not always available during working hours. No calls before 9am or after 9pm please.

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

International news

A

lthough at the time of writing we will not have had a definite decision on the World Endurance Championships, we do know that the Pisa organising committee is still keen to host the event. We as a committee will be amazed however if the ride goes ahead in a Championship format. We also feel at this time of the Covid crisis that it would probably not be fair on the grounds of welfare to ask riders and their support teams to travel to Italy for a competition, even if they have kept their horses fit to do 160km.

Looking ahead more positively, our thoughts are turning to the 2021 season for the Young Rider and Senior teams at Ermelo in Holland.

The FEI at present are insisting the new endurance qualifications for 2021 will stand.

This will make it really difficult for the Seniors to have completed consecutively two 2 star and two 3 star 160km as a combination within the two year period, and for the Young Riders having qualified to compete in FEI rides to have completed successfully and consecutively two 1 star and two 2 star rides along with carrying a minimum weight of 60 kilograms or more.

It is very difficult to organise anything at present as we do not know when or if we shall be able to run any national rides this season but hopefully, providing the government allow it, we will run a horse assessment day at the end of the endurance season to check on horses qualified or hoping to be qualified and an unmounted day before Christmas for everyone interested in joining any of the three teams.

Liz Finney is standing down at the end of this year and good governance requires us to ensure that all roles are subject to regular review .Senior Chef and Home International Chef roles are being advertised for 2021. Applicants will find more information on the Endurance GB website.

As yet thoughts on where to send the Development Squad to compete as a team have not been discussed. It may be in the first year they do some training together and we take them somewhere in the UK for them to start their FEI qualifications with our help.

In an ideal world we would like to think we might be able to receive some sponsorship for all the teams but unfortunately so far we have not been able to secure this. It is expensive for any of our individuals to participate. We try and keep the expenses for the assessment and training days to a minimum but even if our professionals do not charge for their time, they still need travel expenses and sometimes accommodation.

Therefore the charge for a team assessment/ training day is at least £50 per head. If you think what it might cost an individual to have their vet, physio and farrier out to them, £50 does not sound expensive. We have been extremely lucky this season when Helen Blair offered her premises in the Midlands free of charge thus keeping the cost down, otherwise the cost for the day would have to be increased.

per rider to go to Pisa including ferry, diesel, tolls etc. was £3000.

Team selection is made by the International Committee taking into account the rider and horse's competition successes over the past two seasons (which we have on a spread sheet) along with advice and input from the team vet, farrier, physio and Chef. There will be a final selection ride with the date announced at the beginning of the season, but the distance ridden will be agreed with the selection committee, Chef and vet prior to entering. Once selected the team riders and horses will be asked to go to a venue for final evaluation thus ensuring everyone is well and sound to travel and compete at the championship.

We want this process to be as transparent as possible and I am always available to answer any questions you may have either about beginning or continuing your international career. While there may seem to be some hoops in getting there, most riders who reach this level would agree that the experience is unforgettable and a crowning moment for many.

Take care and enjoy getting back out there…

All the best

Rosemary Attfield, International Director

The cost of competing in a team abroad is even more expensive: those taking part will need to pay their own travel, accommodation expenses and entry fees and also the expenses of the chef, vet, farrier and physio for their travel and accommodation which is divided between the five team members. For instance the estimated cost

future focus

5

The latest

news and updates

Anne Brown celebrates the Futurity successes of her orphan colt

F

rom a tragic start in life, Arabian colt Hadiya has gone from strength to strength. His dam, Pevensey Zariffia, imported from Australia by Gadebrook Stud, died from a prolapsed colon during his birth in 2016.

We named him Hadiya - ‘gift’ in Arabic.

The lively bay colt urgently needed a foster dam. Luckily, at two in the morning, we located a draft mare who had just lost her foal. The pair bonded within hours and she provided him with generous quantities of milk.

Hadiya has grown into a grey stallion of stature and refinement. In the capable hands of Susan Hawes and her team at Nightingale Farm, he gained Gold at the National Futurity Evaluations, the Leading Three-Year Old Endurance title, plus the Reserve Championship at British Breeding’s Championship Show in 2019.

Susan rides him almost daily through Ashdown Forest in preparation for dressage competition, then a career in endurance. His sire, Binley Prince Salim, shone in both FEI** endurance and dressage, winning the AHS Performance Horse Awards championship in 2014.

Hadiya also stands at stud.

Dr Madeleine Campbell, the AI vet who collects his semen, is very complimentary: “Hadiya is a rare example of a stallion with that combination of fantastic bloodlines, good performance conformation, and an outstandingly pleasant and intelligent temperament. His semen quality is excellent, as attested to by the 100% pregnancies from the first few inseminations.”

His first foals have arrived – a sprightly chestnut filly, Bright Moonlight, and a cheeky bay colt, Hazar (from Advanced endurance mare Azarina). A third is due from Endurance GB’s Max Shield winner, Kamillah.

Anne Brown

6

news

Orphan Hadiya and foster mum Blondie at Gadebrook in 2016

HorseHage & Mollichaff Recyclable Packaging

W

e’re all very aware of the problems caused by singleuse plastic which is taking up vast areas of landfill as well as blighting our countryside, rivers and seas and causing problems for fish and other wildlife.

All the packaging on HorseHage and Mollichaff products, including the sample bags, is recyclable at participating recycling centres. The plastic material used in HorseHage packaging is quite specific, as it needs to be semi-permeable to allow for the particular fermentation process to take place within the bag which gives HorseHage its low sugar content.

packaging suppliers in the development of the latest packaging technology with the aim of producing maximum eco-friendly packaging and are constantly updating the products used.

For further information contact the HorseHage & Mollichaff Helpline on 01803 527274 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk For further information please contact Becky Taylor at TSM on 07437 479018

HorseHage will continue to strive for further eco-friendly options wherever possible. The company works closely with

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

Model Horse Marathon

O

n 26th April 2020 Endurance GB held the very first Model Horse Marathon. Riders were asked to enter a model horse and rider combination, and they would then photograph their entrants taking part in the ride as described on the day and post their experiences online. The aim was to cheer up bored riders stuck at home and to raise a bit of money for both Endurance GB and for the NHS Charities Together Urgent Covid 19 Appeal.

The event was a roaring success, we still haven't stopped laughing, and we all felt as exhausted as if we'd been to a real ride. Everyone put so much effort into their participation and the attention to detail when up against the clock was superb. We are a little bit concerned about the alcohol intake of some of the soft toys (we're looking at you, Squire Rill!) and we are expecting a lot of incident reports for the numerous and spectacular falls that occurred.

The Model Horse Marathon really showed our endurance community at its best, and we can't wait to get back out there and take part in the real thing again. As one of our participants said: "It feels a bit like the end of an episode of Bagpuss now - Redwings has turned back into a glass ornament, the crew have turned back into two carved cats on a sofa and Kat is just a collection of pipe cleaners..."

Esther Young

Most entertaining storyline

Most Creative Photography

Best team

1st - Mr Stabby & Golden Tozi

1st - Charlie & Minime

Best Teddy Bear Rider

Best Veteran Combinations

Annabelle & Midnight and George & Jigsaw (Mini Midcroft Stables)

1st - Super Ted & Yawl Hill Topsy Turvy

Burra Bee & Merrythought combined age of 125 years Miss Tessie Bear & Lowerdown Get Away Fast - combined age of 105 years Jonjo O'Cottontail & Foxhunter combined age of over 60 years Teddy & Dobbin - combined age of at least 130 years

Most Unusual Combination 1st - Action Man and Ollie Special mention: Pegasus the Clothes Horse

Farrier's Favourite Leonie Avon & Blackie Leonie and Blackie's trainer, Tamara Habberley, wins a canvas print of a picture of their choice from West End Photography.

news

7

#WeWillRideAgain

Young Riders'

lockdown lowdown

S

ince the COVID-19 outbreak, everything has changed. No endurance rides, no school and no socialising. Of course, this is all with good reason, but we cannot ignore that many people’s lives have been turned upside down.

The biggest change in my life is not seeing the ponies regularly; I am on (pretty much) DIY livery and so everyday my mum and I see them, do the yard chores and exercise them. Now, we have merely four hours a week to see our boys and take them for a leg stretch if they need, and it is so strange not looking after them, although I know they are being looked after on our lovely yard.

However, there are some positives...

1. I can see the horses now, even if it is only for a few hours per week.

the luxury of before, due to other yards we have been at not offering that.

A big change to my life is no endurance rides and I've realised now how I live off them! The goals, the training, the social aspect and just looking forward to events, big or small. The largest goal for me was doing some FEI rides this year and I can't put into words how much I was looking forward to being in a race and how much work I had done to get there; my motivation was at a high coming up to my 1* but never-the-less, my time will come.

Therefore, I am desperately trying to find other goals and other small challenges to achieve so that I feel I am still moving forward.

This need for a goal is certainly not the case with everyone, but it is important to me and, for those who do like a goal, I am at the extreme end. They don't need to be massive goals either, just something.

2. I am appreciating the time with them more.

3. They get a break, and have time to be horses which as competition horses wouldn't be the case this time of year.

4. They are out 24/7 which I have never had

8

young riders

My most recent goal was cycling the equivalent of a 1*. I've decided that, instead of the endurance ride I had planned for that month, I will cycle the distance to make up for it, and to be honest cycling resembles riding quite well; I plan a route, I can go at speed and the distance

can still be clocked up. Not to mention that bikes don't spook, bikes don't need to pass vet checks and bikes don't need to have TLC after each and every loop, so it is a lot less work in that sense.

Enough about me, now the ponies. Duke is doing well, he's loving the break and with lots of 'strapping', as Maggie Pattinson suggested, he is holding his muscle well. I am occasionally taking him out for a hack around the property as he was due to be 100km fit at this point in time and I am wary of him having too much energy. Luckily, the weather has been good so currently they are out 24/7 and so this has lifted a worry of a 'too much energy' injury. I am keeping things varied too; a bit of natural horsemanship, some mind-boggling pole-work exercises, new routes around the farm and just some quality time with them.

Another goal I had with Duke was to ride a Prelim dressage test but I never ended up getting there as by the time I had worked on his canter enough to try one, the endurance season had crept up on us and weekends were spent preparing for that. Now, however, I hoping to tick off this goal virtually by using the Dressage Riders Online facility to enter myself

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

into a competition. Plus, I have plenty of time to practise and film my best rather than having the one shot you normally would at a show.

For Spot, nothing has changed much; he was having a well deserved break after a busy year last season getting our FEI qualifications (pre 60kg minimum weight rule) but I am still using the time I get with him to do some natural horsemanship/liberty work and it really reminds me just how clever he is. My little goal with Spot is to teach him some new tricks and then once this is all over I plan to start bringing him back to work and maybe do some jumping, because we both used to love that.

Another new found discovery is webinars.

I have attended loads and learned heaps on gastric ulcers, dealing with setbacks (thank you Maggie), what to look for in an endurance horse (Esther Groen) and the list goes on.

I have also really enjoyed the pole-work exercises, by the wonderful Bella Fricker.

That’s all for now, and I hope that everyone reading is safe and well.

Suzie Todd

sounds crazy to you, that’s because it is! The race has only about a 50% completion rate!”

9 days later, bruised and battered - Kelsey crossed the finishing line with her Just Chaps Endurance half chaps still going strong.

Not “Just Chaps” anymore!

Just Chaps has been designing and manufacturing specialist Endurance chaps for nearly 20 years. Our original neoprene chaps were created by Sally Ross, a TREC rider from Cornwall who was inspired by her surfer sons’ neoprene wetsuits and used her experience as a rider and seamstress to develop what became the ultimate Endurance chaps. Tough, comfortable, lightweight, snug and warm – these chaps have become the choice of Endurance champions and others embarking on the most challenging rides in the world.

Last August, Kelsey Eliot from Upstate New York embarked on the challenge of a lifetime, The Mongol Derby, a 1000km horse race across Mongolia on the backs of semi-feral horses. “It’s just you, your horse, and the endless steppes of Mongolia. If that

Over the years, the Just Chaps range had grown to include super lightweight Air Mesh chaps and perforated faux suede Cool chaps, to cater for more extreme climates and demands, and more recently the premium Saltos range of leather gaiters and half chaps were launched. They also come in the widest range of calf widths available and have a more classic and formal look and feel.

"Riders need protection in foul weather" We realised that riders need protection when preparing for competition, exercising or just working around yard in foul weather and developed the Dri-Rider range of waterproof full chaps and riding trousers. Voted “Best in Test” by Horse and Hound in 2018, these have become one of our best sellers.

Most recently, Helen and the team designed a new range of hard-wearing Waterproof and All-Purpose gloves, which again were recognised

by Horse and Hound (“9/10 Approved”) So, as you will now realise, Just Chaps aren’t really “just chaps” anymore. We still derive our confidence from working with so many top quality Endurance riders who continue to provide the sternest test of product performance and plenty of feedback – to keep our feet firmly on the ground (and in the stirrups !)

My partnership with Just Chaps started after I wrote a blog for their website about being on the England team at the Home Internationals. I’ve ridden 100s of kilometres using their products and couldn’t recommend them enough for any type of riding you do.

young riders

9

Improving partnerships

B

liss and I came together by chance, after my great friend and mentor Thay Stephenson took her in and suggested I took her round Royalties on her delivery there to us. I’d never done Endurance riding before and Bliss was just a bit bored of life. That soon changed with great coaching and support from Thay, who has shown me the world of Endurance and introduced me to my forever friend, Bliss.

After having a traumatic riding accident on my other horse, Bliss soon became my nanny, as quirky and diva-ish as she can be, she always made me feel safe, and we always have fun. I promised her just that, that we will always have fun. From me nearly bursting a lung on our first 32km GER to attempting a 3-day 170km CER and winning an 80km performance formula and getting awarded Best Condition at Hanslope ride, (clearly helped by some Emerald Green Magic!).

Life

is Bliss

We have been very fortunate to be chosen to be a Brand Ambassador for Emerald Green Feeds.

Since having Bliss, we have fed her on their feeds, and her results, condition and attitude speak for themselves. I’m so very grateful to be associated with this brand, and very thankful for Howard Burchnall of Emerald Green Feeds for being such a hands on and supportive sponsor.

pandemic, we have not done a ride since Cannock Chase back in early March, where she stormed round the 64km being the only one in her class and doing 32km completely alone! During this time, we are going to social distanced jumping lessons which she is really excelling at, practising our flatwork and entering online dressage competitions and just enjoying each other’s company, as above all, she is my best friend!

Obviously during the current worldwide

Jade Edwards

Cross training benefits to both horse and rider

I’m a paediatric nurse, so during lockdown my work has been even busier! James has been lucky to be able to continue working full time at home, which has worked very well with the horses.

We might be in the minority, but we have enjoyed lockdown, and the added time we’ve been able to have with the horses, without the stress of full training and competitions. Some weeks I have obviously been very busy at work, but the horses’ have provided a great stress relief. Prior to lockdown, we were managing the horses’ full training schedule around two full time jobs, so with James now working from home, things are much easier!

"We have really enjoyed jumping the horses" We immediately lessened the training of the horses, especially the two that were in training for a 160km. But we have continued to ride them all throughout lockdown, to maintain a good base level fitness. Their work has consisted of schooling, jumping, pole work and short training rides. We have especially enjoyed jumping the horses more frequently and have even managed to fit in a X-Country schooling session since restrictions were lifted. We think cross-training the horses has great benefits.

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young riders

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Cross-training is very popular with human athletes, and a lot of research has gone into the benefits of cross-training our horses. Personally, I have always incorporated a wide variety of activities into our endurance horses’ training programmes and I strongly believe that it can significantly improve their performance.

All our horses regularly show jump, school and do pole-work alongside their training rides. Maintaining a varied training regime helps to improve the horses' attitude work.

We believe cross-training helps improve suppleness, strength and balance as the horses are working different muscle groups, whilst learning to be more responsive to their rider. Although cardiovascular fitness is obviously of huge importance to endurance horses, muscular strength and flexibility also play key roles - especially in reducing the chance of injury and lameness. By changing the workload throughout the training programme you are also reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury by decreasing the stress on the same tissues and bones.

There are huge benefits for the rider too; involving a range of training and disciplines not only provides valuable learning and skills but these can often be transposed in some form to the main discipline. Riders benefit hugely from the improvement in strength and balance, and the advancements of both the horse and rider in this area leads to increased performance as a combination. It is important that both horse and rider are working to build confidence in one another.

I love the cross-training aspect of training our horses, it generates a lot of fun and you can visibly see the positive effects it has.

The endurance community is brilliant at coming together in times of need. The regional groups have been very innovative in their online quizzes, webinars and training sessions for their members. We are sure this will continue as we ease back into the running of rides because, of course, things are going to take some getting used to!

Unfortunately, our goal of a 160km 3* in 2020 for two of our horses has already been put on hold. Together with the added complications of running FEI rides in the UK we are not confident this will be achievable this year, so our focus will move to next year.

However, everything seems to change so quickly at the moment who knows what will be possible in the coming weeks or months!

As always thank you to KM Elite Products, PhysioFi, Baileys Horse Feeds and The Bespoke Saddle Company for helping us through every step of our endurance journey.

Katie Bedwin

Our horses are blissfully unaware but must have some inclination that all is not as it should be! Restrictions are now easing and we are starting to take up the reins again. With patience and fortitude, we shall be back out there, riding and competing once more!

As things start to return to normality, there is much work to be done to build up a GB YR Team. The new FEI qualifications are still due to come into force in July 2020, which include additional qualifications and a new minimum weight of 60kg. The YR management are here to help you with any issues you have. You Young Riders are the Seniors of the future! There is a wealth of knowledge from our team vet/physio and farrier as well as our International Committee - so do please ask! Send me an email to quinnchamp@gmail.com.

In addition there is an EGB Young Rider Facebook page to share information and view important news/rule changes.

Another page which might be of interest is a new group, ‘Endurance - Youth Around the Globe!’ This has YR members from all over the world, the perfect place to ‘virtually’ meet new people! In the meantime, stay safe and well, hug your horses if you can, and we’ll hopefully see you all soon!

Andrea Champ - Chef D’Equipe Young Riders Squad.

young riders

11

Colic

More than a pain

in the gut

C

olic is a catch all term used to describe abdominal pain. The horse has a long gastrointestinal tract which is prone to a number of issues that can cause colic symptoms. In addition some other disorders can present with similar symptoms that can confuse the diagnosis. Endurance riding has the potential to put extra strain on all of the horse’s body systems and careful veterinary monitoring throughout competitions is essential. Outside the ride itself, colic can be linked with issues around transport or changes in diet linked with attending competitions away from home.

Colic can be caused by relatively mild disturbances to normal digestive functions, resulting in excessive gas or movement of the intestines. Blockages within the intestines can also result in abdominal pain. Blockages can result from impactions within the intestines or be caused when the bowel moves out of its normal position (a displacement). If the

12

veterinary

Tom Eaton-Evans qualified in 2000 from the Royal Veterinary College and is actively involved with endurance. He is the vet for the British Young Riders Endurance team and advises the Endurance GB Welfare Committee.

blood supply of the bowel also becomes compromised, such as by a severe twist of the intestines, this can affect the viability of the intestines leading to release of toxins into the bloodstream and a very sick horse.

Horses with colic can display a range of symptoms. These can vary between being quite subtle changes in behaviour that may only be picked up by experienced owners to very dramatic and uncontrollable rolling and sweating.

Veterinary assessment of colic Vets use a variety of tests as part of a clinical examination to assess a colic patient. The

clinical examination would typically consist of taking the horse’s heart rate, breathing rate and temperature. The mucous membranes, capillary refill time and skin tent are assessed for signs of dehydration and toxaemia. The gut sounds are listened to with a stethoscope over four quadrants of the abdomen. Many aspects of this examination are shared with the veterinary assessment performed at an endurance ride. Further tests are then performed as appropriate. A rectal examination allows the vet to carefully feel the abdominal contents which may allow impactions or displacements to be identified. A tube can be passed into the horse’s stomach which can identify if excessive gas or fluid is present. Ultrasound examination

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

of the horse’s abdomen can provide further information about gut position and activity beyond what can be felt during the rectal examination. By assessing the degree of pain alongside the clinical parameters and observations a tentative diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment initiated.

Management of colic

Colic is usually regarded as a veterinary emergency. Horses in pain can be unpredictable and dangerous so horses with colic should always be approached with caution whilst waiting for the vet. If there is any concern over your own health and safety it may be best to leave the horse until further help arrives. However, if safe to do so, it can be useful for the horse to be walked as this can help encourage normal gut motility and in milder cases of colic distract the horse from the pain. It is important to be aware that an uncomfortable horse can throw itself to the ground suddenly and therefore it is safest to walk the horse in a paddock or in a school.

Once the vet has arrived and made their initial assessment, they will decide on a treatment plan based on their findings. An antispasmodic injection (Buscopan) is useful for cases of excessive gas or hypermotility of the intestines.

This can be combined with an injection of painkiller depending on the horse’s level of discomfort. Impactions are likely to require the administration of fluids or laxatives by stomach tube along with some pain relief. Some horses with impactions may require multiple visits from the vet before they clear, or may require intravenous fluids and further monitoring in a hospital environment. Mild bowel displacements can resolve with antispasmodics and pain relief, but may require more intensive monitoring and intravenous fluids in a veterinary hospital depending on their response and progress. More severe displacements and twists affecting the blood supply to the bowel will need surgery. It is important to monitor the response to treatment and have the horse reassessed if progress is unsatisfactory.

Colic at Endurance rides

Although thankfully rare, colics are occasionally seen at endurance rides. Listening to gut sounds is a part of the examination of the horse’s metabolic condition with reduced or absent intestinal noises being a warning sign of exhaustion. This represents a reduction in intestinal motility, which may result in ‘ileus’ or stasis of the intestines which can be intensely painful as the stomach and intestines fill with gas. Intravenous fluids are the treatment of choice as this helps counteract the dehydration in exhausted horses and improves blood flow to the intestines thus improving motility. Great care must be taken with using painkillers in

endurance horses as dehydration increases the risks of side effects which could result in permanent kidney damage. The passing of a stomach tube to release gas build up and the use of sedatives can be useful to manage painful horses whilst administering fluids.

Horses with ileus would be expected to become more comfortable after an hour or two of rapid intravenous fluid administration, with progressive improvement of metabolic indicators (heart rate, mucous membrane colour, capillary refill time and gut sounds) during this period. Horses may also develop displacements or twists during endurance competitions so a horse that does not respond to treatment in this time frame would be best moved to a hospital setting for further monitoring and evaluation that cannot be performed at a ride, Some other conditions of endurance horses can show similar symptoms to colic. Horses that have ‘tied up’ can paw the ground and sweat, whilst horses that are overheating can kick at their belly and throw themselves to the ground. Careful observation and monitoring can usually differentiate between these conditions (for example the stiff gait in a tied up horse would be unusual in a true colic), although starting intravenous fluid therapy in any severely metabolically compromised endurance horse is usually beneficial.

Prevention of colic in endurance horses

Maintaining the consistency of the horse’s diet in the lead up to a competition will help to minimise the risks of colic. Taking forage from home to a competition will help to minimise disruption to the essential bacteria in the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic

supplements can also help in this regard.

Endurance horses often have plentiful access to grazing at home and thought needs to be given as to how to best manage these horses whilst travelling to a competition where even if corralling is available the grass may be very different to what the horse is used to. Finally horses who are prone to stress or lack of appetite at competition should be assessed for stomach ulcers as this can be managed by appropriate medication.

Signs of colic Dullness Lack of appetite Restlessness Quivering/curling of upper lip Grimacing Flank watching Stretching Attempting to urinate frequently Pawing Kicking at belly Crouching Sweating Rolling

veterinary

13

Food for thought

Feeding after

colic surgery

A

high standard of post-operative care is crucial for a successful recovery after colic surgery. Joanna Palmer, nutritionist for Allen & Page Horse Feeds, offers feeding advice to ensure your horse receives the nutrition he needs to help return to a healthy and active lifestyle.

your care at home. The responsibility for feeding and managing a post-operative animal can be an anxious time for many owners. Still, your vet will likely give you strict recommendations as to which feeds and forages are suitable for your horse and the quantity and frequency at which they should be fed.

While hospitalised, your horse will be carefully monitored, and the reintroduction of feed will be under the close supervision of a team of experts.

Only after a gradual transition to a relatively normal feeding regime has been successful will your horse be deemed fit for discharge into

Following colic surgery, keeping a horse on box rest for at least eight weeks is strongly advised.

This period of confinement is vital to allow healing by keeping the strain on the incision site to a minimum and help prevent complications such as a hernia developing. When confined

14

nutrition

to a stable a horse’s energy requirements will be significantly less than if they were in work.

Providing a diet too high in energy could make a horse on box rest agitated and difficult to handle, which in turn will hamper healing.

Nutrition at this stage should focus on supplying a balanced diet to facilitate a healthy recovery while providing a low level of energy. Keeping meal sizes small (around 500g dry weight) will minimise physical stress on the incision site. A high fibre feed that is low in starch and sugar will be gentle on the digestive system, help to encourage normal gut movement and aid the re-establishment of healthy microbial

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populations that will have been compromised during the colic episode.

Feeding dry feeds can be dangerous as a horse’s digestive system is designed for a high moisture diet. Soaked feeds are therefore an invaluable part of the diet of horses recovering from colic surgery; not only are they easy to eat, but when formulated with a blend of herbs, they are highly palatable. This is particularly beneficial for fussy feeders who may have reduced appetites after their colic ordeal. A soaked feed will provide an additional source of water that can help to keep a horse hydrated when they may not physically be drinking as much as they need to. Water is essential for all bodily functions and it also aids digestive transit, helping to prevent impactions of partially digested food through the gut, hence why maximising water intake is of the utmost importance for horses recovering from any kind of colic episode. Fast Fibre is a quick soak, high fibre feed that is low in starch and sugar and balanced with vitamins and minerals – making it an ideal choice for post colic cases to provide a balanced diet in a form that is easy to eat and digest. It can also be used as a partial forage replacer to help maximise fibre intake for convalescing horses. Other suitable soaked feeds could include: unmolassed sugarbeet, alfalfa pellets or grass nuts, but these are not balanced with vitamins and minerals so would need to be fed alongside a balanced feed to ensure your horse receives adequate nutrition for maintenance and recovery.

"Many cases of colic surgery involve the removal of part of the digestive tract"

Top tips to aid recovery and help prevent further colic episodes: • Offer a variety of different forage/fibre feeds to ensure adequate intakes; • Make dietary changes very slowly (e.g. over 2-3 weeks) to allow bacterial populations in the gut time to adapt; • Utilise soaked feeds; • Provide constant access to clean, fresh water • Pay close attention to dental condition to ensure fibre is chewed adequately and reaches the hindgut in a condition that enables easy digestion; • Ensure faecal worm egg counts / effective internal parasite control procedures are in place to help maintain a healthy digestive system.

Many cases of colic surgery involve the removal of part of the digestive tract, and after that suitable feeding should focus on the part of the gut that is unaffected. The small intestine is responsible for the digestion and absorption of simple carbohydrates, protein and fats, but if part of it is removed its capacity to digest these nutrients will be compromised.

Feeding should focus on hindgut (large intestine) fermentation of fibre. Conversely, as the large intestine is so big, a small removal from here may have little impact on digestive function, but if the removal is large the ability to ferment and digest fibre will be affected, so only highly digestive fibre sources should be fed. There is also a greater need for a low starch, high oil based concentrate feed to provide essential nutrients which can be digested in the fully functioning small intestine.

Most horses on box rest after colic surgery can be allowed some time grazing in hand. This ability to graze naturally is not only crucial for

the horse’s psychological well-being, but the ingestion of highly digestible, fresh forage has a vital role to play in restoring digestive health and function. Aside from in-hand grazing, forage should be supplied appropriate to the stage of recovery. Immediately after surgery intakes may be limited to very small frequent amounts of highly digestible forages, but providing no complications arise a steady progression to a normal constant supply of fibre is essential for healthy gut function and to avoid boredom related issues in horses on box rest.

NUTRITIONAL ENQUIRIES Our office is still open, and our Nutrition Team are on hand to help with any of your nutritional queries.

Call: 01362 822902 (Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm) Email: helpline@allenandpage.co.uk

Any horse that requires a higher calorie diet to improve the condition or prevent further weight loss while recovering from colic surgery should be fed a bucket feed that supplies additional calories from fibre and oil sources, not from starch and sugar. Cereal based feeds that are high in starch are not recommended for horses recovering from colic surgery, as they are more difficult to digest and can lead to digestive disturbances and further colic episodes. Feeds such as Veteran Vitality and Calm & Condition are ideal alternatives to traditional cereal based conditioning feeds, offering all the benefits of a soaked feed with a low starch and sugar level.

nutrition

15

Alexis Cole and Mapledurham

Series 2

Schooling hacks

body building and fun

W

e should I suppose now be well into our season but in reality, most of us are probably just getting back into the swing of things. So, I thought rather than heading straight in to target training as was suggested at the end of the last article we could look at the schooling hack and some hills.

The schooling hack should always be a part of your week – it can progress in length and intensity depending on your level of competition expectation, fitness, advancement of a rehab programme. It can make boring schooling fun, slow work more interesting and is a great way to take a look at some of the outdoor “issues” (puddles, killer logs and life in general) and help to improve some of your rider fitness and balance – this is a partnership and this is the time to weld it together.

The difficulty is usually knowing where to start and to be honest after all the uncertainty of late and lack of purpose, maybe just to be out is what we need: a bit of time on the outside is good for you and your horse's mental health. But I think we all agree slopping around on the buckle end is not doing anyone any good so let’s make it worthwhile and fun!

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training

Roads and other hard, flat surfaces

There is no getting away from it we really do need to do some work on these surfaces – it’s great for strengthening, flexing and straightening.

As your horse’s foot connects with a hard surface, concussive forces travel up his leg.

Exercise here can help to strengthen bone, muscle and tendons. Remember, your first priority on the road is to stay safe. A businesslike attitude can give your horse the confidence to face traffic and spooky objects on the roads.

Softly flex your horse in either direction. This can build towards shoulder in and will help you get past the killer bins, barking dogs and road works. You can gently flex his neck (and therefore, eyes) away from the scary situation.

Trotting on roads is a controversial subject, with much debate about whether increased concussive force is good or bad for your horse – every case is individual but in my book you need to do some – keep it light and collected not hammering along – for maximum benefit and minimum concussion. At some point at a ride you WILL need to trot on a road – practise, need I say more!

So let’s look at some straightening exercises... trotting in a straight line changing the rising diagonal every 10 strides. A flat surface will show up an asymmetry in you and/or your horse, as one side may feel slightly more secure or one of your legs might wiggle. Your horse may feel stiffer on one diagonal or drift or wobble to one side. Aim to feel the same on both diagonals. If you find it hard to keep to one diagonal for 10 strides, take it down to every 5 strides / it might be easier with a wiggle or stuck horse doing x 5 to be rewarded with an easy x 5! It is also a great warm up/settle down/listen to me exercise!

Bridleways, commons and soft wide forestry tracks

Try using the sides of the track as a guide for staying straight and then practise leg-yielding back and forth across the track as you move forward. Start in walk and progress to trot. Use whatever is around when out and about to school – step over logs, zig-zag through trees, leg yield puddles and scary monsters.

Allow your horse to stretch and step carefully over a rooty path. The more creative you are the more you’ll build your horse’s strength, flexibility and mental dexterity. Rough ground will no longer be your enemy on a competitive ride – you drop the reins and allow your horse to do his job!

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Top Tips

Wide Open Spaces

Experiment with different schooling patterns in an open area. Working on serpentines and circles in a wide-open space out hacking can be a real challenge – you’ll likely get an annoyed wiggle or nap. Work on making the circles and serpentines consistent and use the extra impulsion produced to improve suppleness.

"A bit of time outside is good for you and your horse's mental health"

Hills

Instead of careering off, why not choose this point for a little “natural arena” schooling.

Channel that extra energy into getting accurate transitions and improving suppleness in patterns.

Use a tree line or landmarks to plan accurate transitions. Think of trotting at that tree, opening up the canter to the large bush before coming back to trot at the bench, then halting and walking back on a long rein. Riding to markers will give you purpose to your transitions and is great confidence booster for those of you who get a bit windy about open spaces.

Top Secret You are not the only one who gets windy out riding sometimes, everyone has their demons, lots of these exercises will help you and your horse to get rid of them!

Hill work is about building power and strength and by adding some lateral work to boost that overall fitness and dexterity ... an all-terrain beast in the making. Start simply with walk exercises, using halts/half halts and adding leg yields on the way up and down. Do the same in trot and start making it harder by dividing the hill into thirds – trot a third then halt, walk a third then halt, trot a third, until you are building to trots and canters in the thirds and halt to canters. Using lateral movements downhill means natural gravity will help your horse to step under himself. So, don’t rush it or push it – perfect in walk before moving on.

Body building needs stretching, so the next part of the series will look at some canter work exercises as well as your all important crew. In the meantime, have fun with your horses and feel free to drop me a line at onthehoofdt@hotmail.co.uk. If you need a question answered or can’t wait for Series 3 to get some ideas.

Happy Schooling Hacks.

• Slow work is your friend I promise – “you can walk a horse fit but gallop it dead”. You can use this time to swing your hips in time to the walk, loosen your legs, get your body moving in sync. I like to use my mind’s eye to picture the movement of my bones, ligaments and muscles throughout my body and finally a glass of champagne or hot soup (depending on the weather and my mood) sitting right in the centre of my pelvis – providing I move with my horse not a drop shall be spilt. Physical health and wellbeing benefits of our sport have never been more precious or important to shout about.”

• Try to get that work log out sooner rather than later.

Recording the lightbulb moments as well as the disasters can be a huge part of the overall picture and if it’s part of your planning process it should be a habit you just ‘always’ – never an onerous task – make it work for you!

• Most riders have a ‘natural diagonal’ too – so aim to change your rising diagonal as soon as you go into trot.

Practise changing whilst standing as it is better for the horse's back – once you have mastered your balance! It’s a great strength builder for you too.

Maggie Pattinson

training

17

Series 2

Is there a difference between

being fit and being fit for riding?

Not all exercise is equal:

B

eing fit generally means having the ability to perform everyday tasks with ease, with a good level of muscular strength, endurance, aerobic capacity and flexibility.

Unfortunately, moving hay bales and bags of feed, poo picking, mucking out and pushing wheelbarrows (as examples), whilst perhaps beneficial to general fitness, doesn’t develop the correct muscles, within the correct movement patterns or ranges of motions which will help improve your riding.

As with all sports, exercises need to focus on the muscles that riders use when in the saddle, this is what makes the exercise transferable to your riding and will help you become more stable, balanced and confident but will also reduce the aches & pains of being in the saddle for hours as the body will be better prepared, better conditioned.

18

rider fitness

Working around the yard, caring for horses will improve your ‘general’ fitness but will not necessarily improve your riding fitness.

Creating your Rider Fitness Home Workout

As many of us are not riding at the moment, it is the perfect opportunity to invest some time into yourself.

When we do return to ‘normal’ and start going to events we can do so with better body awareness, control and confidence in ourselves as we are more prepared. #Wewillrideagain As with all exercises, it is really important to feel the movement of each exercise, and engage the correct muscles, which are detailed in the description, to perform the movement.

This way you will get the maximum benefit of the exercise and create a connection from your mind to your rider muscles.

As mentioned in RiderCise® Series 1, Rider Fitness is about improving riding ability, performance and reducing associated aches and pains and the severity of injuries that can occur.

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Exercise 1

a controlled manner, squeezing your bum throughout the whole movement 6. This is one repetition Perform: 10 times on each leg and repeat NOTES • Keep the movement small when lifting your leg to the side (abducting) making sure that you are not bringing your shoulders towards your hips, creating a small C - shape •

Exercise 1 - Single Leg Swing – Abduction / Adduction

This exercise is deceiving, it looks simple but it is insightful into how our body produces movement. Often we collapse laterally to produce this movement, dropping the shoulder to meet the hip, which is a compensatory action we do subconsciously, instead of activating the glutes to move the leg.

Main Muscles used: Adductor Muscles: Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL), Glutes – Medius and Minimus (bum) RIDING TRANSLATION The abductor muscles are essential for stabilising the pelvis to enable us to walk or stand on one leg and sit balanced in the saddle.

If these muscles are weak it can cause us to sit lop-sided, feel like we are slipping and prevent us from providing clear leg aids on the weakened side. In addition, weak abductor muscles are also linked with knee pain.

By performing this exercise correctly you will be able to provide clear effective leg aids whilst sitting straight and neutrally.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Stand with your feet together and resting one leg. Keep your standing knee soft, not locked out 2. Hips facing forward

old the ‘squeeze’ in the bum muscles H throughout the whole movement, they should be aching after 2-3 repetitions

EXERCISE ADAPTATIONS OPTION 1 If you struggle with your balance you can perform this movement whilst holding on to a chair or by resting your hand on a wall.

EXERCISE ADAPTATIONS OPTION 2 If you feel particularly tight or restricted in this movement, or feel that you are bringing your shoulders to your hip then you can bend the leg at the knee but keep the movement the same, focusing on the control of moving your leg to the side of your body and back again.

Exercise 2 – Dead Bug

An amazing exercise that uses the core muscles to stabilise your trunk whilst performing arm and leg movements which helps improve your body awareness (proprioception) and motor control. It is a very simple exercise but one which is very often performed incorrectly and too fast which provides no benefit to you.

Main Muscles targeted: Erector Spinae, Obliques, Rectus and Transverse Abdominis (TVA) RIDING TRANSLATION Being able to stabilise your core, whilst breathing fully and control your arms and legs independently is the ultimate in riding stability and it sounds easy but as we all know, it’s not!

Mastering this exercise will not only help improve your riding stability, body awareness and control

of your communications but it will also help to relieve and prevent lower back pain.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Lie on the floor with your hands straight up and knees above your hips bent at 90degrees 2. P ush your back flat against the floor and imagine it is super glued! – KEY FACTOR of this exercise 3. S lowly extend one arm and the opposite leg away from the centre of your body, going as low as you can, whilst not lifting your back from the floor 4. S lowly return your arm and leg back to the start position 5. Repeat with opposite arm and leg Perform: Movement of both sides is 1 repetition, perform 10 in total NOTES • Remember to breathe fully during this exercise, and focus on keeping your back on the floor throughout the movement •

I f you feel that you are arching your back or lifting your hips, don’t extend your arm or legs as far (closer towards the ground), keep them closer to your body

•

This must be performed slowly

EXERCISE ADAPTATIONS OPTION 1 You can do this exercise with your arms down your side on the floor and focus on extending one leg at a time from the start position of knees bent at 90degrees above your hips.

EXERCISE ADAPTATIONS OPTION 2 If you find it particularly hard to keep your back on the floor, keep your knees bent at 90degrees above your hips and focus on extending your arms, one at a time, above your head.

Clare Gangadeen

Exercise 2

3. Chest high and looking straight ahead 4. B ring your resting leg to the side of your body by squeezing your bum and keeping the leg as straight as possible and without dropping your shoulder to meet your hip 5. Return the leg back towards your body in

rider fitness

19

Lockdown lives

Living through the COVID 19 crisis in 2020 is something none of us will ever forget. Elizabeth Peplow finds out how the endurance community has coped‌

We are all

in this together

Being so heavily involved in both work's and Endurance GB's Covid responses has been quite stressful and has involved long hours, so I haven't done much relaxing. My coping mechanism is throwing myself into the recovery work, as I have to look forwards to keep myself sane.

On lockdown fitness

Both I and the horses are extremely unfit.

Because I was ill, I haven't been up to exercising so have gone to seed! I am now starting to feel that I could go for a walk without it knocking me out for a week, so I am starting to do a little bit more exercise.

On the endurance community

Esther Young Civil Servant and EGB Operations Director

How were you affected?

I'm fairly sure I have had Covid 19, but until antibody testing is available I won't know for sure. I didn't have it badly, but it did take a long time to fully shake it.

The day job has been extremely busy. I hold (and wrote) our business continuity plan so I have been working flat out helping several thousand staff completely change the way they work and continue to deliver critical activities.

I've also been working with the Endurance GB Board and ride organisers on our shutdown and resumption plans. It was heart-breaking seeing the season that everyone had worked so hard on pulling together fall apart in front of us.

On coping with lockdown

On the one hand we've been very lucky. We now have the horses at the end of the garden and I can work from home easily. It's just turning into Groundhog Day. I live in Yorkshire and my family are in South London and Salisbury so that has been difficult. My 79 year old mother has now embraced Skype, and my brother and sister in law (with two lively under 6s) tell me that their trampoline has been a literal lifesaver!

20

community

I have been blown away by the phenomenal support and understanding that the Endurance GB community has shown. Whether that is looking out for each other, getting stuck into the lockdown activities, or thinking outside the box to enable events later in the year to have a reasonable chance of going ahead.

I need to particularly thank the Board and all of our ride and group event organisers. You are all amazing. A special thank you also to John Hudson, Nick Wallbridge and Matt Shovelton (the IT team) who have worked wonders on using the downtime to ramp up the delivery of Clubhouse, to the amazing Liz Hinings who has been updating the website, to Jane Greatorex, Richard Crone and Elaine Wallbridge who have helped with our post lockdown event guidance, and to Liz Peplow who has worked her magic with our comms. Everyone has really pulled it out of the bag to ensure that we have a solid and viable society to go forward with.

Next steps

At the moment we are planning for our first pleasure rides, and I must admit I will probably have a little blub to myself when the first one goes ahead. Once we understand the implications of the next stage of lockdown relaxation we can refine our processes and perhaps run some smaller competitive rides. #WeWillRideAgain From a personal point of view, I would dearly love to finally get my pony out to a pleasure ride or two later in the year.

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Dianne Luke Ride Organiser

How have you been affected?

It was with total confidence that I answered the telephone at the end of February, reassuring an Indian judge that Kings was on! Little did I know what was to follow. After coping with the cancellation of the Spring Kings I was determined the Summer Kings would be better than ever. As the date moved from the end of June to July then August and now September I do wonder if it will happen this year.

Lockdown life

Well it has to be said, that this is what I thought retirement was going to be like. Long sunny days, no pressure, gardening and time to ride the horses. With the original directive of one

hour's exercise a day it seemed sensible to combine riding with exercising the dogs and with direct access into an empty Kings Forest it just couldn’t be better. The horses have never been fitter being ridden every day and I don’t think Paul and I have ever been so ride fit either. It’s given us the opportunity to put ourselves and our riding first. So missing out on ride organising has had its benefits. However, the longer this goes on for, and each time a certain date is reached with a ride pencilled in, the desire to get back to how things were is felt more acutely.

Lockdown lessons

To continue to find the time to ride regularly, viewing it more as an essential rather than a luxury and the realisation of the genuine friendship within endurance, rarely a day goes by without an email or text from an endurance friend from around the world. I think we have all learnt not to take anything for granted but to make the most of each day.

Ella Bunting Vet Student

time of the year, I won’t try and deny that!

But I’ve been doing a lot of walking, usually accompanied by at least one horse, dog and my mother! It has been a lovely way to bond with the horses in a relaxed way, but has also meant that we can work on Rocky’s bike phobia without me being on board.

On the endurance community

Being part of the Cotswold Committee has meant that I’ve been involved in our recent committee meetings through a zoom call! It was lovely for everyone to catch up and talk about how they’ve been coping with lockdown. I’ve been enjoying following what everyone else in the endurance world is up to through Facebook and it’s nice to get ideas from other people.

How were you affected?

Luckily, I moved back home from university just before lockdown as I would have struggled a lot more being stuck in the middle of Bristol rather than at home in a rural area with the ponies just down the road!

It was bizarre to finish the third year of my veterinary degree online, including my exams, and my summer should have been filled with placements but looks very empty!

Lockdown lessons

The main thing I’ve learnt during lockdown is to not expect too much! Most of us are used to being so busy so having all this time (unless you’re still at work!) makes you feel like you should be accomplishing all those tasks that never get done, but it is okay to just have some peace and quiet as well.

On lockdown fitness

I’m not as fit as I would normally be at this

Next steps?

I knew that due to my degree I was going to have to cut back my competing as I don’t feel it would be realistic for me when my uni workload increases. The current plan is to try and convince Rocky that he would like to babysit my crew, Janet, and her youngster next year around his first season of endurance rides. I am also looking forward to get back out crewing, what better way is there to socialise?!

community

21

Nikki Malcolm Co-Owner, Stride Ahead

on top form as soon as restrictions allow.

We kept within our own boundaries whilst the stay at home message was in place, with two gallops, an arena and private farm tracks it was no hardship.

Next steps

On lockdown life

Lockdown hasn’t really changed too much as with horses there must still be routine regardless of the situation, feeding, mucking out, poo picking, feed orders, farrier lists, general care and exercise, the horses were all ready to be ‘ first time out fit’ for their scheduled appearance in March/ April 2020, all had solid seasons last year and looked ready to be ahead of the game.

Lockdown happened and plans were put on ice, the uncertainty of when things would resume again is what initially made things difficult to judge

what to do with the horses, there was no wrong or right as this was unknown territory for all.

On fitness

We decided to maintain the level of fitness the horses were currently at, all had come out of a three month holiday over winter they bounce back well from that, but make it a six month holiday and the task to return to a high level of fitness would be more challenging. The loyal owners who have been able to stick by us as a business deserve to have horses out and about

Stevie Martin International Committee Member and South West Vice Chair

How have you been affected?

Apart from the fact that I have not been out for over 12 weeks and have not been able to help at any of the rides, my life has not been affected too badly.

On coping with lockdown

I have already had to cope with the lockdown for 12 weeks and I suspect I will have to cope for a further 10 weeks.

Luckily, I have quite a bit of work that I can do from home. As a member of the International Committee and being Vice Chair for the South West Group, the work carries on, thankfully. One of the things that has helped me enormously is the

22

community

Once the ‘stay alert’ stage was released we ventured out on training loops with endurance horses all done at a steady conditioning pace and started to pick up the pace slightly with the racehorses anticipating a season which although due to start late will roll into October/ November. The few boxes that have been stood empty are now starting to get bookings again for summer breakers and the horsebox has some transport jobs booked, so we are very hopeful as a small business ‘Stride Ahead’ have hung on in there, this is also down to the fact we had an amazing mid December to beginning of March where it was literally one horse home, disinfect the box and kit, next one in with a constant waiting list. So thank you so much to all our clients and owners for the continued support.

Government food box being delivered every week and also the priority slots given to me by all the supermarkets. Some people have had terrible trouble getting food deliveries

On staying fit

I manage to cover between 1.5 and 2 miles a day by just walking around the garden and the house. Unfortunately, as I have advanced COPD I cannot do any cardio work.

On the endurance community

I have been very lucky in that quite a few of my friends phone me or email about once a week, and a couple have offered to do some shopping for me. I think the Forum and Facebook have helped hugely with people keeping in touch and EGB have kept us informed of all the changes that may or may not happen.

Next steps

Regretfully I won’t be able to attend any of the rides this year but I look forward to being out and about at every possible ride within a 300 mile radius of Cornwall next year!

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Liz Hinings Technical/ Vet Steward

How were you affected?

As I am now 77 years old, I have had to stay at home as much as possible, as per the rules from the Government. Fortunately, my elder daughter has a regular shopping delivery and added my shopping list to her own and has brought it over to me each week. We have been fortunate with the weather so far, in that when she arrives at my house we have been able to sit in my garden (suitably socially-distanced of course) apart from one rainy week when I sat inside my garage and she sat outside in her car!

On coping through lockdown

I own no horses and sadly no longer have Pebble, my Border Terrier, so I haven’t had to cope with the problems that I understand members have faced with horses at livery etc. I have been reading lots of books, doing online jigsaws (having been introduced to them by Stevie Martin!), tidying up files and sorting out my timekeeping, vet stewarding and TS-ing equipment. I am also fortunate to be involved with the new website, so this has helped pass the time and I also proofread the Endurance magazine – so I haven’t been idle!

On keeping fit

I have recently started following Joe Wickes’ video exercise routine for seniors and I try to have a walk each day for at least half an hour.

On the endurance community

I have been moved by the amount of contact made by various members on the phone or by email, just asking how I am and how I am coping, what I am doing etc and I believe this has been the same for many others. The Model Horse Marathon and the Auction of Promises have

been great morale boosters and some members have added to the Blog page (under News).

Next steps

I can’t wait to get out there and see all my endurance friends again, get back into timekeeping, TS-ing, vet stewarding etc. There are still 5 rides on my 2020 calendar in which I am involved which, so far, haven’t been cancelled and I have my fingers crossed for those and I look forward next year to getting back to entries flooding in for the various rides for which I am the secretary.

Lockdown fitness?

Clare Gangadeen Ridercise® Founder

Personally I have coped ok as I am used to working from home but I have started to really miss ‘seeing’ people, attending events and getting out with the horses.

On coping with lockdown

As RiderCise® is Online (apart from my riding clinics and soft tissue therapy) I am still working with clients but have seen a huge drop in ‘interest’ due to Covid which is understandable so it has had a huge effect on my ‘normal’ day but I have been focused on staying in a routine.

I think it is easy to fall into a rut and this is why I have kept a routine but also accept that there are bad days when I feel a bit miserable and that’s ok. It just means a day of hugging ponies and doing ‘what I feel like’ doing.

I still exercise for a min of an hour 5-7 days a week and have been busy doing free workouts for riders and developing a new concept for RiderCise®. The horses came back into work roughly around the same time as lockdown was imposed so they have been slowly building up the fitness on the ground and work in the arena.

On the endurance community

I am always impressed at how supportive the endurance community is of each other, something I feel is more present than any other discipline.

There is no judgement of what people are or aren’t doing only support and encouragement. It is so refreshing.

Next steps?

For me it is just about getting out there and making the most of what is possible for 2020. I did plan on entering a 20km with Annick this year and am sure we can, maybe just in the form of a pleasure ride.

As a sponsor I am really looking forward to seeing the Championships take place in 2021 with even bigger prizes than planned for 2020.

community

23

Tracy Thompson Para Rider

We started the 2020 season full of big plans, never even considering that the whole world would turn upside down. My son Jamie had taken a year out in 2019 and was determined that 2020 was going to be a busy season. The plan was to get him and his New Forest Pony (Rosie) up to advanced, he also wanted to start and compete Benjana who is already advanced. We tentatively put a few rides in the diary and even persuaded Richard that he might like a trip to Ireland!

How have you been affected?

We have been lucky and have not had any family or friends with the virus. We lost my father in May and it was very strange not to have a proper funeral, however we were so grateful that we had been able to nurse him at home. It must be horrific to see your loved ones shipped off to hospital and not be able to visit.

On lockdown

Our first pleasure ride was the 12th March and we had a lovely ride around Escrick Park. By this time, the media was full of stories about Covid 19 and it wasn't a great surprise to discover it would be our last trip out for a long time. For the first six weeks we didn't ride at all as we were concerned that the NHS was under enough

pressure and we didn't want to risk it. Jamie was thrilled to hear that the schools were shutting and having him at home all day meant I had a helper with the horses. I really struggle to mount without assistance and so we concentrated on getting my mare Breeze to learn to stand quietly. We taught her to ground tie and I couldn't believe the difference it made. We spent ten minutes each day and it really helped, we also caught up on all the odd jobs that needed doing.

On the endurance community

I would like to think that lockdown has not been all negative and that we have had time to spend with our family and horses. I have quite enjoyed the quiet time but it will be lovely to see all our endurance friends again. I am on the local Endurance GB committee and although we have not had our usual meeting, we have been busy trying to organize things for our members, including virtual distance awards, treasure hunts and quizzes.

Next steps

I suspect that we might not see much competitive endurance this year but hopefully might get to the odd pleasure ride before Christmas.

Kirsty Wiscombe NHS Key Worker

On riding and training

Early on I only hacked out with the sensible horses and didn’t ride a couple of the youngsters. They all went on the horse walker and all are now in work. During lockdown I’ve done flatwork, renovated my school and bought more pole exercises and the horses feel much more balanced and stronger for it.

I can’t wait for my PT sessions at the gym to start again.

On the endurance community

How were you affected?

I work for the NHS in the Urgent Community Response team and our work has changed a lot, we now try to work from our cars and home as much as possible and have had a greater emphasis of keeping people at home or discharged earlier or home under our care.

On getting through lockdown

Early on I found it very hard mentally as I live with

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chronic pain through various medical conditions and one of the ways I deal and live with this is to set competing goals with my horses. Not having anything to aim for was hard but my enthusiasm for training and working the horses has returned and I’m really enjoying having the time to take the horses to lessons and clinics. It has also given me time to ride the older horses and 25yo Connie is loving our fun filled outings which have helped me mentally, especially after a challenging day at work.

I feel there has been lots of support out there and the virtual events EGB have run have provided much needed stress relief in these difficult times. My friend and I had a fantastic time taking part in the model horse marathon.

Next steps

I’m looking forward to getting out in the countryside with the horses again, meeting up with friends and competing Billy again. My long term goal is to finish another 160km ride and be championship qualified again, but this season it is to enjoy whatever classes are available.

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

Annie Joppe Self Employed & H&H Columnist

I am doing the RiderCise athlete programme with exercises designed specifically for the endurance rider and me in particular. This has now ramped up to 5 days a week with sessions up to 30 minutes, an amount of time which is easily set aside for such an important aspect of the endurance partnership.

On the endurance community

How were you affected?

Lockdown was a bit of a shock. We have an online business so initially this wasn’t affected but as time went on and more and more uncertainty crept in, orders began to drop off. Our white-water rafting expedition in Bolivia was cancelled but no money has been refunded. The good thing is that we are so lucky to have outdoor space and horses on our doorstep. Endurancewise I felt all at sea without a rudder to steer with. I had two semi-fit horses about to start their season with much excitement planned for them and then nothing….

On riding through lockdown

To ride or not to ride was the question. I stopped riding totally for a week uncertain

about what to do. Then rationality took over and I made the decision to keep Chiara in work but to rough off the other horses. At first, I stuck to riding in the school, using a variety of pole-work, raised poles to develop rhythm and improve core strength. We did a little close contact and this has made the bond between us even stronger.

On lockdown fitness

It’s a question of chunk, hunk or drunk?

Apparently, most people will be at least one of these coming out of lockdown. I can admit to being all three at various points, although perhaps steady with the ‘hunk’ bit. Yes, I’ve eaten too much chocolate and my husband’s attempts (mostly successful) at cake making and yes, one or two bottles of wine may have been consumed but my real success story is my fitness.

Kieran O’Brien MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon

How have you been affected?

I was furloughed by my veterinary practice (we reduced to 50% normal manpower).

On lockdown

I retreated to my small farm in rural Cornwall for four weeks. We seemed to live in a bubble there while chaos reigned in the rest of the country. With the lovely weather and the countryside at its absolute best in May, concentrating on my young Connemara sports ponies for a month was doubly enjoyable. Our

I think we have all pulled together pretty well.

There have been some great ‘events’ run by EGB, especially the model horse marathon which was great fun to follow. There are plenty of training webinars around with RiderCise and On the Hoof providing great sessions and there have been informative webinars from David Marlin and our resident Dutch International rider, Esther Groen about getting horses fit; something for everyone. Many of the groups have put on virtual training sessions and quizzes too.

On next steps

This is where it gets tricky. I actually really miss seeing endurance people! I have a non-horsey family and just bore the pants off everyone talking about endurance. I had planned to try to qualify Chiara for the 2021 Europeans in the Netherlands and to do this it would mean completing two 3* 160km races. I am planning to take Fantom to Red Dragon (fingers crossed) as his last major competitive ride as he is now 19. Plans are there but it’s now a case of wait and see!

two grown-up daughters have also been marooned at home. It was great having some extended family time with them – and not a single argument!

Next steps

I am now back at work. In theory, where we can satisfy ourselves by a detailed prior risk assessment that there is no COVID-19 risk to us or to the client, we are working almost normally.

Having to wear a mask has taken a bit of getting used to. Looking down an endoscope with my spectacles now fogged by my breath has been one of the many small trials I have faced.

With rides cancelled, my endurance activities have been reduced to nil. I was anticipating some trips to rides overseas to implement the new – and very welcome – changes to the FEI endurance rules, but it is not at all clear what will happen for the rest of the year.

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Male focus

Man on a

mission

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spotlight

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

D

avid Yeoman has enjoyed international success in the sport but his record on Exmoor with three Golds and three Silvers at the Golden Horseshoe is one of the hallmarks of his career. He looks back at his best moments in the sport so far…

How did you get involved in endurance in the first place?

In 2004 I was at a bit of a loose end and Chris, my former sister-in-law badgered me into riding out her horses with her. In March that year I did my first ride, a 40km at Forest of Dean. I trotted the whole way behind Chris and said: “I am never doing that again!” Then Chris gave me her great horse EZ as a Christmas present – the best present I have ever had.

Which other horse sports have you been involved in?

I did all the Pony Club stuff, Prince Philip Cup Mounted Games, Eventing, Show Jumping, Hunting and Dressage, some point-to-pointing and polo, so pretty much everything until I was about 22. I then didn’t ride at all for another 22 years (until 2004) due to a combination of work and having kids.

are like and looking after my horse during the ride. I am not sure how I would get on if I had to be thinking about whether I had packed the saddle or if he had had his breakfast at the right time, so no multi-tasking for me!

ride which is incredible. I like the heart rate challenge (achieving under 58bpm at the end of each day) to avoid getting a penalty point while you are crewing out in a big field on top of a hill often with the rain lashing down.

At the European Championships at Florac in 2011 with Haszar, my little 14.3hh horse pulling my arms out at the finish. He had taken under two minutes to vet all day and after the final trot up the Chief Vet came up and shook my hand and said ‘nice horse’. I felt we had got his training and fitness absolutely right.

How do you keep fit/train?

This is one of the reasons it is the best ride and where your crew is VITAL. You feel the vets are totally there to help you, as are the organisers and all the volunteers.

Which aspects of endurance do you find most appealing?

I have two horses who are both 13 now.

Vite a big-striding horse who is excellent for flat cantering rides and we’ve had some great 80km race rides in France over the last few years. I also have Cassie, a mare, who is excellent at hill rides, so an ideal pair. Charlie Perrott is my main crew. She is absolutely excellent, very organised and keeps everything straight. At rides her partner Jack helps and when he can, her dad Nigel who is also my farrier.

Best moments in the sport so far?

Everything! Being retired it is a lifestyle hobby; it is the interest it gives me. I think you have to enjoy the horses and the training and the challenges day in day out and then the ride is just one day on top of all that.

Which role models in the sport (other horse sports too) inspire you and why?

Nikki Malcolm is for me the complete endurance person for her care of horses, training, understanding of how her horse is going and her encouragement of them. She is tactical at the finish but only where appropriate.

Are there any aspects of the sport/competing/training where you think men have a different approach to women?

I am very lucky in that I have an excellent crew and they take care of all the horse stuff at rides so I can just concentrate on knowing where I am going, what the terrain and riding conditions

I love hill walking so will do 20-mile hikes with say 3000 feet of climb. I regularly walk 60 miles a week and do a gym session once or twice a week.

Tell us about your horses and crew?

Tell us about your experience of competing on Exmoor and why the Golden Horseshoe is ‘up there’ among the best endurance rides?

I love the Horseshoe. I like the fact that the Horseshoe is not a race so you are not thinking about how you are going to beat other competitors, it's all about concentrating on the horse and terrain and conserving energy all the time. The climb each day is usually more than 1800 metres so our horses go higher than Ben Nevis on both days of the

Seeing people out at far flung corners on the moor is special and a few years back an elderly couple came to help from their very remote farm with water for the horses and had a little chat with all the riders.

It is eight hours of full concentration for the riders and crews. I’m mentally exhausted by the Monday morning. In terms of record, at the Horseshoe, I seem to be getting worse at it. In 2015, I rode under an oak tree and fractured three ribs and in 2017 and 2019 I was vetted out on the second day with two separate horses. Reflecting on that is just making me more quietly determined to get back there next year and get a Pass, I don’t mind gold, silver or whatever... just a pass!

What would you say to encourage other men (of all ages) to get involved in the sport beyond crewing?

Well it is a fab sport at whatever level you take part and if you like riding horses and getting out in nice countryside then give it a go. It would be great to see more dads with their kids and families out enjoying helping crew them.

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Visit Scotland With no rides and no news, we’ve ventured off the beaten path for SERC’s contribution this time. In 2014 Lothians’ member Sarah Perkins was very taken with the story of the giant horses’ heads – the Kelpies – that were built alongside the M9.

S

everal years ago my job was occasionally taking me into Clackmannanshire and I discovered a sculpture that I really liked on a little rural roundabout.

I was intrigued and started to investigate.

I discovered that this sculpture was just one of several in Clackmannanshire by a chap called Andy Scott, so one fine day I headed off with my camera to find the Andy Scott Sculpture Trail. Scott was brought up in Glasgow, studied at the Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow is his home still.

Apparently his father came from Falkirk though, which is kind of fitting for his most famous work to date. I can’t believe what a prolific artist he is, given the size of his sculptures, but I have read that he works 12 hour days, often seven days a week!

Andy Scott's

Kelpies

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Hoardings started to appear in Falkirk advertising a project called the Helix, featuring two horses’ heads designed by Andy Scott. They were to be the centrepiece of a huge regenerated piece of wasteland at the canal basin, which would be known as the Helix and hopefully become a big visitor attraction. I immediately fell for the pair of 3m high prototypes or maquettes (miniature versions) that appeared beside the lock gates in full view of the M9 where I could admire them on my way to work.

Sometimes they sat on the back of a small truck and then disappeared for days or weeks at a time. There are two pairs of maquettes, which have been displayed locally and across Scotland and simultaneously around the world. One pair popped up for a while at the Falkirk Wheel and also outside Edinburgh Airport and you may have seen them here or elsewhere.

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

The name Kelpies was chosen by Scottish Canals from the mythological transforming beasts which had the strength and endurance of ten horses. The Kelpies symbolise the history of the heavy horse in the Scottish economy, both in industry and agriculture, pulling wagons and ploughs and also towing barges and coalships along the canals.

The Kelpies are built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding. Construction began in June 2013, and was completed in October 2013.

The foundations are as deep as the Kelpies are high and consist of 1200 tonnes of steel reinforced concrete. There are over 10,000 special fixings which secure the 990 stainless steel skin plates, of which no two pieces are the same.

"The name Kelpies was chosen by Scottish Canals from the mythological transforming beasts which had the strength and endurance of ten horses" From my viewpoint travelling along the M9 I watched the Kelpies grow and occasionally walked beside the canal for a closer look. I couldn’t believe how big they were and actually thought that the beauty of the small Kelpies could not be transferred into the giant ones that weigh 300 tonnes and are 30m high. The guys building them worked long hours - they were already at work when I drove past at 7.30am and were often still working on them when I drove home again at night. Some days it must have been fiercely cold sitting on a cherry picker building a giant metal jigsaw puzzle and positively miserable spending long hours in the lashing rain.

Some time ago there was a publicity stunt in which two Clydesdale horses were led around the site showing how tiny these massive horses were when standing alongside the Kelpies. The horses’ heads were completed last autumn but there has been much work done recently to

The site welcomed its millionth visitor a year after opening, and is an unqualified success.

finish clearing up the site, with landscaping, laying of concrete paths and planting of trees.

What I hadn’t realised until recently was just how prolific an artist Andy Scott is, and particularly how many horse sculptures he has created.

The site was officially opened at Easter 2014 on a beautiful weekend as part of a bigger event across Central Scotland celebrating the 100 year anniversary of John Muir and the extension of the John Muir Way as a coast to coast long distance footpath (anyone who has done our Seacliff ride will have touched on the John Muir Way). There were two nights of ticketed entry to the Helix Park to view the Kelpies lit up by a fantastic colourful light show set to music.

Arriving about 9pm on Good Friday, parking was a nightmare and we had to trek to Falkirk Football Stadium to get our wrist bands and then kick our heels until our allotted entry time of 10pm, when we could queue at the barrier!

There were other temporary ‘sculptures’, special lighting effects and odd troupes of actors but the main event was naturally around the Kelpies themselves. The music and light show was on

a continual 15 minute cycle and I think we saw it about four times as we progressed along the path, every so often being asked to keep moving! Interspersed with the music the sound of horses galloping, neighing and snorting was quite evocative and with the flashes of light made me think I was in a mining landscape, not alongside a waterway.

I hope there was some warning on the overhead gantries on the M9 or motorists will have been alarmed to see these massive heads suddenly become bursts of colourful lights and flares.

Apparently 10,000 people visited over these two spectacular evenings. Already this area is a local success. It is bringing whole families out of their houses with buggies, wheelchairs, kiddies’ bikes and scooters. There are Helix walking groups helping the less active to become more so and ticket offices have appeared in one of the car parks for tours of the Kelpies - this is to go inside them rather than to just admire them from the outside. It’s obviously providing local employment too and such a large park could be a venue for lots of outdoor events - but unfortunately not a SERC ride!

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UK Holidays

Equestrian escapes on your doorstep

A long-standing member of the local community, Carolyn has years of experience riding the local area and she will guide you through private estates with magnificent backdrops which will be the envy of your friends on your return. As my guide on that first trip, Carolyn also opened all the gates – on one morning I counted twelve dismounts, for which the agreed fee was buying her a modest lunch at the local pub.

Location

The riding is a delight – there is so much to explore and Carolyn knows it all. There are several noteworthy pubs where the horses can be tied up or browse in the pub garden while you enjoy some refreshment. You can explore three counties (Herefordshire, Shropshire and Radnorshire) and cross over into Wales in a day, with pretty villages, ruined castles, country churches and rivers for a splash and dash. The prosperous market town of Ludlow is just ten miles away with its Norman Castle, wealth of independent shops and riverside walks. Presteigne is a fascinating small town over the hill in Radnorshire (I cycled there – quite a challenging hill to climb!) with the famous Judge’s Lodging house and historic buildings in Broad Street.

Accommodation at Lower Buckton

We stayed in the Blue Room with views over the paddocks from the bedroom and a courtyard view from the bathroom where I could see Arrow in her stable. As I don’t keep my horse at home this was a pleasant novelty. There is a very cosy sitting room downstairs with heaps of books, some quite rare, where you can happily browse with a pre-dinner drink.

Your horses will be safely contained in post and rail paddocks for good turnout, with cosy oldfashioned brick stables overnight.

Lower Buckton, Leintwardine, Shropshire/ Herefordshire My plans to revisit Lower Buckton in late March as part of my fitness preparations for the 2020 endurance season were scotched… so my thoughts turned to writing about my first stay almost exactly three years ago reviving vibrant memories of a most rewarding holiday in the saddle.

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his corner of England offers the hilly challenges and dramatic scenery that will take you and your horse to another level. I returned home with a stronger bond with my horse and a greater appreciation of what she could do for me. My horse also learned from hostess Carolyn’s more confident hunter that streams of running water aren’t to be feared and hilly slopes through woodland can be thrilling.

Escorted rides

On that first visit, I came well prepared with a selection of routes provided by Shropshire County Council and was prepared to box up and travel each day to explore the county as I was riding solo and anxious not to get lost.

Never needed them! Carolyn took me out every day for either a morning or afternoon ride, and one day we included an evening pub ride and came home across fields in the dark.

For me Carolyn’s good company and knowledge of the local countryside made my first holiday with Arrow a special treat.

Meals

The meals are first class. We had super breakfast each morning with home-made or home grown produce elegantly served in a handsome dining room. Carolyn will also provide dinner by arrangement. Local pubs and restaurant abound, all with a high standard. We sampled several during our stay and were not disappointed.

Finally

I shall be returning to Leintwardine as soon as the ban is lifted. It will be a different season – late summer or autumn, with an altered landscape, but this charming rural spot where England meets Wales is a delight at any time of year. For those of you who enjoy walking and exploring on foot or bicycle as well as on horseback, you will find much to engage your interest and like me, eager to return.

DATE VISITED March 2017 https://lowerbuckton.co.uk/bring-your-horse/

features | endurancegb.co.uk

Whitehall Farm Burham Thorpe, King’s Lynn Norfolk PE31 8HN The Essex Bridleways Association (EBA) –organises monthly pleasure rides across Essex to raise funds for its primary function of preserving the county’s bridleway network. I am currently a trustee and Editor of their twice-yearly newsletter. The ride calendar includes two holidays near the coast for its members which is how I came to stay at Whitehall Farm in May 2018.

Whitehall Farm

Whitehall Farm is a 650 acre arable working family farm within the Holkham Estate and just 2.5 miles south of the famous Holkham Beach. The farmhouse is on the eastern edge of Burnham Thorpe, the birthplace of Admiral Lord Nelson. At the time of his birth, Nelson's father was rector of the church in Burnham Thorpe and there is a small collection of artefacts in the vestibule recording the connection.

The Lord Nelson

The Lord Nelson public house was renamed in his honour in 1798 and the Admiral held a dinner here for the men of the village prior to his departure to join HMS Agamemnon. The pub has now reopened following refurbishment; be sure to visit!

My visit – May 2018

We were some twenty riders and their horses; some stayed in the farmhouse, others glamped or camped, making use of the self-catering facilities for breakfast and snacks. Horses are corralled in permanent pens with water supplied and the option of stabling. Bedding and hay is provided.

Holkham Beach

We had a barbeque buffet on the Saturday night which the Sutherlands are happy to arrange for large parties of twenty or so.

North Norfolk is a popular holiday area with good pubs and restaurants nearby in attractive villages and small seaside resorts eg Wells next the Sea and Brancaster.

Holkham Beach is of course the main attraction and Whitehall has a direct roadless ride available from mid-March to midNovember to take you there! Beach riding is available throughout the winter months but you will need to box up and park on Lady Anne’s drive (payment £12) for access.

The riding

Verdict

Using green lanes and countryside stewardship margins, Whitehall has several circular routes from 3 – 8 miles or more directly from the farm. The countryside is mainly arable, open and undulating with just a few quiet roads to cross. On the first day I had a thoroughly enjoyable time exploring on my own and was then able to make a better fist of things on the second day without getting lost..

An ideal location for individuals or groups to enjoy with lovely fast hacking, attractive villages and pubs and that famous beach to explore! This type of holiday may be of interest to regional endurance groups, Iceni and Cromwell in particular.

excellent service for their equestrian visitors.

As self-catering is an option, the holiday can be very cost-effective too.

CAVEAT If your horse has never been to the seaside before, Holkham can be overwhelming as it is so vast. My horse was initially intimidated by the expanse of sea, sky and sand, so I would recommend that your first visit to the coast is on a more enclosed beach, ideally with groynes to break up the landscape.

DATE VISITED May 2018 www.whitehallfarm-accommodation.com

The hosts, Valerie and Barry Sutherland are very accommodating and provide an

Jane Skinner

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Photos courtesy of David Saunders Photography

Rider profile

My

endurance life

Name Kate Atkinson

Endurance GB group Lancashire

Date of first endurance ride?

Croal Irwell Valley 2004

How did you first get involved in endurance?

My mum had always competed in endurance and I was top crew every weekend, when I turned 7, I wanted to have a go on my pony, so she kindly agreed to take me round a pleasure ride.

First endurance horse (or pony)?

Twinkle was a 12.2 chestnut Welsh pony, she was very naughty but really took to endurance.

Favourite ride in the calendar?

I have so many favourite rides, the top two have to be Kings Forest and Cumbria Challenge.

Most challenging ride so far?

Madine in France, it was a lot of firsts for me, first 160km and first start in the dark to name just a couple, and the course was so varied and challenging.

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rider profile

Ride/distance you most want to do?

I think all of our plans have been thrown off this year, so any aims/goals will have to be reassessed when rides go back to normal. My dream of riding for my country will always be up there.

Where and how do you train your horse(s)?

We do the majority of our high intensity training on sand gallops, some on flat gallops for continuous work and some on hilly gallops for interval training; we have to travel to both locations.

Live in/live out?

During competition season our horses live in with daily turnout, because at most FEI competitions the horses have to be stabled, so we like to keep it their normal routine.

Team colours?

When I was younger, I always used to ride in purple, I had purple everything, even my bit was purple! Nowadays, I just try to dress smartly in black and navy colours.

What saddle/bridle do you use?

I have a few different types of bridles for different horses as they all seem to suit different ones. However, they are all in varieties of Reactor panel saddles.

Most vital piece of equipment?

MY CREW!! I don’t know where I would be without them, they are so important. If I had to pick a physical piece of equipment, it would probably be ice, even if it isn’t a really hot day it is so useful to cool the horse and cool other areas in a vet gate (feet, legs and it keeps my drinks cold!)

What do you feed your horse(s)?

Their competition diet is varied for the level of work they are doing and formulated to their individual needs, but the main component of their diet when competing is endurance mix and electrolytes.

Who is your farrier?

Mark Barnard

Any special shoes?

No special shoes but if we are lucky enough to compete in a championship, I always try to go the extra mile with my pads.

endurance | endurancegb.co.uk

How do you plan your endurance season?

Usually I have one main goal for the season (a championship ride) and then plan other rides and training to fit in with this goal.

What do you eat the night before a ride?

I know is it important to carb load the night before a big race, so my favourite way of doing this is having a meal including mash potato.

How do you keep fit and healthy yourself?

Usually big races are in summer, so luckily they fall in holidays from university, so I can focus on training myself and the horse. At home I combine riding fitness with running and strength exercises. At university I try to go to the gym to keep my strength up.

Who are your crew?

Usually my crew consists of my mum and dad, but it becomes a bit more tricky when my mum decides she is racing too and takes my dad as her own crew! Luckily the Langley and the Dark family step in to help and we have both crewed for each other many times, so we are finely tuned teams.

What are the challenges of crewing you and your horse?

Nessie (DNS Ronaldo) is quite a tricky horse to crew because when he has his racing head on his manners go out of the window, luckily my crew are very patient and know how to deal with him. Whereas I am a fussy Haribo eater, I like to eat Haribo sweets out on course but have favourite ones, so my crew have to select them out of the bag specially.

What can you learn from other sports (equestrian and non equestrian)?

One of the biggest things I have taken on board from another sport was the British cycling team motto for the 2012 Olympics, “Marginal Gain”.

It is all about small incremental improvements in any part of the process adding up to a significant improvement when they are all added together.

Your biggest endurance mistake?

How would you sell the sport to a friend?

What have you learned about yourself competing in endurance?

Top tip for success?

If you could choose one of the iconic rides, Tevis, Quilty or South Africa’s new Ride The Wild Coast 350km 5-day challenge, which it would be and who would it be on?

I am very competitive and I am a lot mentally harder than I thought I was. Endurance puts you through some fairly mentally challenging scenarios.

Your best endurance moment?

It has to be finishing my first senior championship last year, on home soil, with my mum completing too, both contributing to Team GB 5th place! I was on top of the world.

Any time I have ever got lost, usually because my brain thinks it knows the way from riding the course the previous year and there is a route change.

Don’t let failure or bad circumstances get you down. I had one season when for several different reasons I had a lot of failures on the trot and it felt like the world was against me, but I didn’t give up (cliché I know) but then one of my biggest successes was just around the corner!

Who is your endurance sporting hero (human or equine)?

I look up to so many people within the endurance circuit, but I have to say my mum has taught me everything I know.

Endurance summed up for me is a combination of adrenaline and adventure with your best friend that I have never experienced in any other sport.

I like the idea of doing Ride the Wild Coast, seeing the pictures and write-ups from last year makes it sound incredible, and there is no one I’d trust more to do it on than Nessie, can’t beat completing a race like that on a horse you have trained yourself for 6 years.

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#Wewillrideagain

In endurance

it's all about the team

W

ith not a lot happening at the moment, I thought it would be good to write a piece about the team, the people that keep us going!

Farrier – the old age statement of ‘no foot no horse’ still rings very true. More so in endurance I’d say, than in any other discipline, simply due to the sheer number of footfalls our horses must make both in training and on competition day. The foot is the foundation for the way they move and it is so very important to ensure that their movement is as good as it can be.

Whether that’s supporting conformational flaws or just enhancing what they already have, ensuring that you have a good farrier on board will save a lot of heartache later on down the line – trust me I know!

warming up and then throughout every vet gate.

Remember, if competing at FEI events you must use an FEI approved therapist only otherwise they will not be allowed to treat your horse.

Chip is shod all-round on a five week cycle. We use quite a wide shoe to distribute weight as much as possible and reduce sink, given we do most of our serious training on sand rather than grass. So chat to your farrier about the most appropriate shoe for your training ground.

Saddler – having a correctly fitted saddle for both rider and horse may sound like plain common sense but it’s amazing how many people you see on the circuit scoring poorly on their horse’s back and muscle tone. We spend far too long in the saddle to risk not having this as perfect as we can. All my horses have their saddles checked every six weeks, whether in season or off-season. I always try to have a fit within seven days of the competition as well so that any final adjustments can be ‘tested’ out before race day itself. I had quite a few issues with saddles in 2019 and ended up buying a Thorowgood Dressage saddle just five days before the 120km at Euston Park. As it happened, it all worked out perfectly but I would absolutely not advise sorting the saddle so last minute. Ideally, all training should be done in the same saddle so horse and rider are set to go and both know what to expect.

Physio – I’m so lucky to have a physio who attends races as well as treats at home. I appreciate not all of us will be able to have a physio on the crew team but keeping your horse in tip top condition at home is the very least you can do when lining up at the start line. Chip, my FEI horse, usually has a treatment every three to four weeks. This way any issues or changes in his way of going can be picked up and responded to quickly before they turn into something more serious. He will also have a very decent treatment at the arrival to the venue because we find he picks up tension in his base of neck/pecks from travelling. He’ll have another treatment in the morning before

Crew team – the crew team are crucial to success at the longer distances and the higher speeds. It’s essential to have a division of roles on the day – map reader, driver, drink bucket holder, water bottle passer, HR reader, person with lead rope, person who takes saddle, person to sort feeds, person to change numnahs, person to clean tack, person to put on ice-boots etc. etc. Around a week before the race I will send round a crew plan to my team with timings, locations, crew points, roles for each person.

I’ll work out predicted times for coming off each loop, aimed for presentation times, which feeds when, which syringes when + fall back plans should the main plan go awry! This way,

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My team are Farrier – Phil Pearce Saddler – Ruth Wyatt Physio – Kate Scothorne

Crew team Pheobe Fricker Cameron Burton Shez Hides Kate Scothorne

no one is clambering over each other. We all know where to be and doing what, nothing gets forgotten about and it all runs very smoothly – we hope. When aiming for quick presentation times having this slick team unit is key.

Home team – be it a professional coach or a good network of experienced friends it’s so important to have your team of trusted people at home. Whether it's blips in training or discussing travel arrangements – whatever it is – you really need to be able to bounce off ideas with at least one other experienced person so that you have the support and back up when you need it.

So in essence how many people does it take to get around a 120km – at least 10 and they are all a vital part of the team!

Bella X

regulars | endurancegb.co.uk

“Extra water to help keep them hydrated on long rides!”

It is essential that endurance horses are well hydrated and have plenty of energy to ride long distances.

Allen & Page feeds provide my horses with all the energy and power they need to perform without making them fizzy.

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