Bring back the sport I love

SADLY, endurance is now a dirty word, but it was not always so. I was a founder member of Long Distance Riding (now Endurance GB) as it was then called by the British Horse Society (BHS) in 1975 because they were concerned about the welfare of the horse in this emerging sport. The only ride at that time was the Golden Horseshoe, which the BHS later took over. There were strict qualifying rides of 40 rides before you could enter.

At the pre-ride vetting inspection, the standard of the shoeing was checked, the condition and the fit of the tack was looked at and the vetting was very strict. Penalties were awarded if anything was not up to standard.

I well remember an occasion at the vetting in the yard at the White Horse, Exford. A horse was brought out to be vetted and a clod of straw fell from its foot.

“Hasn’t picked its feet out, give it a penalty,” said the vet.

Endurance riding was such a lovely sport, it gave you the opportunity to test your horse’s fitness and your riding ability to complete over tough country like Exmoor, the Black Mountains and the Pennines. It was also an opportunity to ride in beautiful parts of the country not always available to the public.

Sadly endurance racing was introduced to the detriment of the sport as is evident today. There is a move to bring it back to endurance riding again – I hope it is successful so people can enjoy it as I did all those years ago.