Southern Championships 2 day 160km ER
At the Berkshire Downs ride 1st 2nd May 2004.

A good entry of 16 horses started at 9am from Lattin Down Kiln Farm on the Ridgeway. The going was very tricky on the first day with very slippery conditions on the sections of the Ridgeway that are affected by 4 wheel drive activity. However there were some lovely stretches of grassy going that allowed a good speed to be maintained and the 2 leaders completed the first 80kms at over 18kph.

(Photo courtesy of Eric G Jones 01747 860625)
Warrens Hill Chanda and Mary Stubbs

The leader at the end of the first day was Elaine Gore with Lyph’s a Rush – an Anglo mare by Lyphento who had been in training with Liz Harrington. Hot on her heels, just 1 minute behind though was last year’s winner Warrens Hill Chanda and Mary Stubbs. Mary and Chanda were recent winners of the Haywood Oaks 80km FEI 2*, and their confidence and experience showed n the second day as they came out of the 3rd vet gate at 120kms and stormed past Elaine. Lyph’s a Rush was attempting the distance for the first time, so Elaine pulled back allowing Mary to canter round the final circuit on her own to win the title for the second year in succession and collect another Pathfinder saddle kindly donated by Keith Bryan. Their average speed was 15.99kph, very good given the conditions on the first day. Elaine held on to second place, ahead of Junior International Zara Moon and Yamavar.

(Photo courtesy of Eric G Jones 01747 860625)
Khairho (aged 19 years) ridden by Cheryl Logan & Elleon riden by Jan Clark.

4th and 5th places went to horses from Alem Hamza Team Endurance, with their veteran stallion Khairho (aged 19 years) ridden by Cheryl Logan finishing just ahead of Elleon and Jan Clark. Clipper and Chris Hyde took 6th and the final finisher was Junior Rider Bridie Towle from Nottingham on Culann.

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'Endurance Jan'

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