This is probably the most difficult and prestigious ride on the British Endurance calendar and one of the toughest rides in Europe.

Qualifying rides were held throughout the country for the Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe Ride, which is the endurance riders’ equivalent to Badminton Horse Trials and for many of them, literally the highlight of their endurance year.

Held around the tiny village of Exford in Somerset, the HHGHS, takes in the wilds of Exmoor an area of country that is noted for the varying weather conditions.

The weather always plays a crucial part in this ride and 1998 was no exception. Dense fog and heavy rain forced many riders to retire with no rider achieving the highest award, the Gold. This is not a Ride for the faint hearted, only horses and riders that have reached peak fitness, stand a chance of completing the 100 miles over this arduous course.

This Exmoor Ride is meant to provide the riders with a sufficient challenge but still reward those who know their horses well enough to manage to pace them accordingly. The riders have to resist the temptation not to get over enthusiastic and burning the horses out too soon. It is such a sense of achievement for all concerned when a partnership manages to complete the HHGHS, even if they do not achieve Gold.

GOLD AWARD

This is the highest award available. To achieve this, the riders must complete The Ride at 8.00 mph. or over, each day with no penalties. Penalties can be incurred whilst passing through the compulsory vet gates over the two day competition.

The Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe is the main class which involves the competitors covering 100 miles in total, 50 miles ridden each day. This is open to all Gold Series riders who have successfully completed a 1998 Golden Horseshoe Qualifier.

The second class is The Exmoor Stag. A set speed ride of approximately 75 miles over two days, divided 50 miles and 25 miles. This class is again open to Gold Series riders who have successfully completed a 1998 Golden Horseshoe qualifier.

The Spring this year was very long and extremely wet which meant that many riders were disappointed when they failed to qualify.

It is always quality not quantity, that is important in any competition and many of the top endurance combinations and long listed team riders did manage to qualify and set off to take on the 1998 challenge.

The soft and sometimes boggy going across Exmoor tested these riders to the limit and the weather again played a clever testing game. This year the riders were not complaining about the rain and mud but about the unrelenting sunshine! The first heatwave of the summer gave riders and crew another problem to overcome, whilst the farriers were kept very busy replacing shoes.

After the first day many of the favourites for 'Gold' were out. One of these was Sue Dando with her veteran mare Vixen. Sue who is a member of The Hilton Herbs Endurance Team decided not to start Vixen on the second day.

Sue said, “Vixen is 19 years old and she doesn’t feel right. This lovely mare has nothing to prove to anyone. We got Gold in 1995 but this year it was not meant to be.”

Day two proved just as difficult as the hot sunshine continued. Eventually only six riders finished and no-one achieved Gold. Four riders achieved Silver and they must be congratulated for brilliant performances in such sweltering conditions.

The Silvers went to:
Janet Avis, from Newport, Gwent riding Bozuk
Ann Urwin from Tainult, Scotland with Nhamir
Linda Ward from Marlow, Buckinghamshire riding Jadena
and local rider Ann Newton, from Exford, Somerset riding Dacoit.

Jadena and Dacoit are both long listed for the World Championship Team which heads for Dubai in December. The hot Somerset conditions were good training for the heat the Team will face in the desert.

Bozuk won the Ferhanoush Shield for the best placed horse and rider in their first attempt at the Horseshoe as well as the highly prized premier award, for the best conditioned horse.

Pauline Dickie from Dorset riding Ben II, a part bred Arab and farmer’s wife Margaret Pierce riding Harliquins Magic, from Tiverton Devon, were both awarded Bronze.

75 Mile Hilton Herbs Exmoor Stag

Forty riders tackled the Exmoor Stag and they also found the moor and the heat a daunting challenge. The two riders that achieved the coveted Gold were Zoe Griffiths who lives in Llantwrtyd Wells, Powys riding Kay Bee Jay and Chris Burden, from Frampton Cotterill, Avon with his pure bred Arab Sea Fantazy. With such a good performance Chris looks to be assured of a place on the intermediate team that travels to France in August.

Six riders were awarded Silver, these were:
Georgia Harris with Mistress Harriet
Sylvia Bailiss and Dorocina Phrizbe
Shelagh Bunn with Phylka
Penny Cavill and Pantyfid Rockie
Jane Williams with Druimghlgha Shiera and
Linda Reeves riding Chevanna.

Hilton Herbs who are based locally at Crewkerne Somerset are now in their fourth year of sponsorship.
They are very supportive of endurance riding and last year formed the Hilton Herbs Endurance Team, now dubbed ‘The Herbies’. The Team consists of Jane Edwards, Liz Platts, Graham Hartley, Sue Dando as well as Company Director of Hilton Herbs, Hilary Self. ‘The Herbies’ is another way for Hilton Herbs to put something back into a sport were they have many loyal customers.
Hilary and husband Tony are keen to make this ride as enjoyable as possible for everyone. Each year they have tried to make improvements and ‘98 was no exception.

VIEWING STAND AT TROT UP

What a success this was, not only for family and friends but even tourists to Exford came along to see what was going on and stayed to watch and enjoy the sunshine. We are also taking bets to decide who will be selling ice-cream or perhaps hot soup next year!

HALFWAY HOSPITALITY MARQUEE

Hilary and Tony thought this would be another good idea and how right they were. Unfortunately some of the riders and crew were disappointed to find that it was not for them. It was thought that this hospitality area would encourage guests, visiting Press, including T.V. and Radio crews, as well as photographers, not only to stay longer but to come again next year.
The Vets, who are so vital to this sport, also appreciated this new addition.

PRESS OFFICE

The third innovation was the creation of a proper Press Office, manned by Equine Marketing and Foxhill Promotions.

Work encouraging the media to attend started last September and involved a great deal of hard work. The work did pay off though with coverage of 5 National Equestrian magazines, 9 Regional equestrian magazines, 6 Regional newspapers, 4 T.V. stations 7 freelance photographers, plus Radio 4.

Over the event, 18 Local radio stations broadcast recorded interviews with riders and crew and it was lovely for those families and friends left at home, to find out what was happening in Exford.

The success of any event is due in no small part to the many people who give their time and talents to help both in front and behind the scenes.

David Newton and his band of helpers are to be congratulated for continuing to do such an excellent job.

GOLDEN HORSESHOE HISTORY

First held on 4th September 1965 and originally held over just 50 miles. The Golden Horseshoe was the first long distance ride to take place in the United Kingdom.

The Ride started from Oare in the Doone Valley, across Exmoor to the Poltimore Arms at Yard Down.

Before they could start, the horses had a Veterinary check and any that were judged unfit were not allowed to start. At Little Silver just outside Torrington, a second vet check ensured that all horses were stopped and rested for fifteen minutes. The riders finished at Welcombe in North Devon.

To prevent anyone getting lost, the Members of the Devon and Somerset Stag Hounds acted as guides across this difficult course.

The object of the Golden Horseshoe Fifty Mile Ride was to encourage better conditioning and care of the horse; to test the knowledge and fitness of the rider, to prove the value of the horse for long distance rides and to encourage the breeding of horses with stamina and endurance.

The organisers stressed that this was a ride not a race. Having said that, the competitors were required to complete the course at an average speed of 6 mph to qualify for a Golden Horseshoe. Any riders finishing, but outside that speed, received a Bronze Horseshoe.

All horses entered had to be at least five years old or over. Riders had to be seventeen or over and had to carry at least 11st. 7lbs. The entry was £1.00.

It is very doubtful that the organisers realised how popular this Ride was going to be, but it was and entries had to close a month early.

The event was promoted by Mr. Ronald Duncan, playwright, poet and farmer in conjunction with Colonel Mike Ansell and The British Horse Society. The Ride was sponsored by The Sunday Telegraph and became an annual event that moved to a different location each year.

In 1965 one hundred and ten riders started on the course. Of these, 94 riders completed with an average speed of 6 miles per hour, excluding the two compulsory vets stops and qualified for a Golden Horseshoe. The rider who ‘fulfilled most completely the conditions of the ride’...... was awarded the Golden Horseshoe Challenge Trophy.

The first to win this was Miss Diana Logie Parsons, of Lymington Hants. She rode her chestnut horse, Another Gentleman. Miss Parsons, who was twenty-one ran a pony stud in the New Forest.

First across the line was Mr. L. Constance. He rode his chestnut horse, Ask Me Another and the partnership averaged better than nine miles an hour. They completed the course in 5hr. 34mins but did have a scary few moments, almost coming to grief in a bog.

There was a wide variation in mounts taking part, from faithful ponies and hunters well-used to the rugged conditions of Exmoor, race horses, and steeplechasers, to horses schooled to military pageantry, with two entries from The Kings Troop. A total of eight horses failed to complete the course and only one horse was judged unfit at the first Veterinary check point.