From the front line of an endurance ride in Wales

After receiving masterclasses about endurance riding from Amanda Barton, myself and two other pony clubbers were lucky enough to attend this year’s Pony Club Endurance championships at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.

Endurance is a long-distance riding discipline in which riders map-read their way across open countryside at a competitive pace, ensuring the horse’s fitness and condition along the route with vet checks before and after the ride. Although the challenging terrain up the steep Cambrian mountains was certainly felt by the horses, they rose to the challenge of the three-hour ride and I think they enjoyed the breathtaking views of the Welsh valleys below as much as we did.

Photo by David Saunders

The atmosphere at the event was relaxed and welcoming, and all of the staff and volunteers were exceptionally helpful and kind so it all ran smoothly.

It’s brilliant that endurance riding is open to everyone – including RDA riders

I saw a participant who had no arms who said her horse “really looks after” her as she controlled the reins using only her feet. The level of trust that you must put in your horse while trekking over often difficult terrain in an area you haven’t been to before is truly reciprocated. Your horse must trust you to guide them through a route that is physically demanding for them, and completely new.

I feel that the time that I spend on endurance rides helps me to bond even more with my loan horse Frenchie because of this. One thing that makes endurance riding so unique is the care taken over the condition of the horse, with the winning horse being judged on their recovery from the ride. It ensures that their welfare is always upheld.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Pony Club Endurance championships and hope to complete more endurance rides in the future. I’m already looking forward to next year!

Lucy Tomlin (rider #430) is a member of Park Lane Stables Pony Club