Stamina and Skill on show at The Pony Club Endurance Championships

The Pony Club Endurance Championships were held on Sunday 16 October 2016 in their new home of Campbell Park, Milton Keynes.

Over forty competitors took part in rides ranging from 12.5 to 44km around parkland, lakes, fields, surfaced horse trails and bridle ways and along quiet roads.

Results were as follows:

• Six year old Alex Powell won the Mid-South Endurance Great Britain (EGB) Grassroots Level 1 (12.5km) riding Rosie Icecream for the Crickhowell & District Branch
• Twelve year old Chiara Zeolla won the Grassroots Level 2 ride (21km) riding Eagles Play for the Whaddon Chase Branch
• Thirteen year old Imogen Curtis won The Oscar Pet Foods Novice Level 3 ride (34km) riding Ballymoe Joe for the Glossop & District Branch
• Thirteen year old Sian Hill won the Torq Fitness Intermediate Level 4 ride (44km) riding Red Baron for the Amman Valley & District Branch
• Seventeen year old Sophie Webber won the Senior section of the EquidGel Open Level 5 ride (55km) riding Rhydfendigaid Cadno for the Bedale & West of Yore Hunt Branch. The Junior win went to twelve year old Hampshire Hunt Member Annabelle Lyndon riding Glenives Celebration.

“Pony Club Endurance is going from strength to strength,” commented Endurance Chairman, Robert Blane. “It was great to see the enthusiasm of those taking part who thoroughly enjoyed themselves despite the early morning rain.”

Robert went on to thank the event’s sponsors; Mid-South EGB, Oscar Pet Foods, Torq Fitness and EquidGel. He also paid tribute to the incredible army of volunteers who organised and ran the event, including Nikki Parsler and the Whaddon Chase Branch whose hard work resulted in an event enjoyed by competitors, supporters and spectators alike. ”We’re all looking forward to next year’s qualifiers and championships, and we hope to see the event growing as more Pony Club Members discover the sport of Endurance.”

Endurance Riding is a ride, usually over open country, along a specified route for a set distance with specific speed requirements. Competitors are issued with a map of the route a few days before the competition which they need to study carefully and measure in order to plan their ride.

There are five types of Pony Club Endurance Rides, each differing in distance.  The shorter Robin and Merlin Training rides, open to Members aged five and over, are an ideal introduction to the discipline. There are three classifications of competition or qualification rides which are called Kestrel (Novice Qualifier), Osprey (Intermediate Qualifier) and Eagle (Open Qualifier).

Anyone with a sound pony or horse can participate in Pony Club endurance; Members do not need a particular breed or type of pony or any specialist equipment.

For full results click HERE