JAN CLARK

The British Young Rider Squad travelled to Valleymount in Ireland for the 120km Rambo Young Riders Cup. Competing against riders from France, Bahrain, UAE and Ireland, the 7 British riders worked tremendously well as a team, showing great promise as future members of the Senior Team.

The Bahraini's 2nd No 63, and 3rd no 58
(Photo courtesy of Eric G Jones 01747 860625)

The team was a mixture of levels of experience, with three Anna Williams, Anna Welch and Vicky Brown veterans of the trips to France and Spain last year, although all 3 were on different horses . Anna Williams was riding Druimghigha Shiera, Vicky was on Angus Mcleod and Anna Welch was on Pauline Holloway's pure bred stallion Criox de Guerre.

Philip Hirst and Chahalam crossing a deep water channel
on the way back to the first vetgate.
(Photo courtesy of Eric G Jones 01747 860625)

The rest of the team were Philip Hirst on his pure bred gelding Chahalam, Caroline Atkinson on her big Anglo gelding Crofthill Statesman and the Rogerson twins, Sarah and Rachel on their ponies Gemini R and Magef Cariad.

The crew in action on Druimghigha Shiera.
(Photo courtesy of Eric G Jones 01747 860625)

The route was extremely testing including some very severe climbs, bog, stones and some interesting stretches along the lake shore where the water level was so high that the horses were actually in the lake itself. Sadly both Crofthill Statesman and Angus McLeod were forced to retire on the first loop, Statesman with metabolic problems, and Angus slightly lame after losing a shoe. The next casualty was Croix de Guerre who failed the compulsory reinspection just before leaving the second vet gate. The surviving 4 completed the very difficult third loop back to the vet gate, but with only 19kms to go Gemini R failed the reinspection when she was found to be lame. Anna and Phil left the last vet gate at about 8.45pm, as the light was failing , followed some 10 inutes late by Magef Cariad. Sadly Cariad was loath to continue without her stable companion and after struggling for a couple of kms Rachel called it a day . Anna and Philip completed the circuit in the pitch dark coming back into the venue with just 15 minutes to present to the vets before the vet gate closed. With efficient crewing they were ready in a few minutes, heart rates fine, and both trotted up looking quite magnificent to claim equal 4th place in a very testing competition. This was a true Team effort with every member of the British Group helping.

The twins Sarah & Rachel Rogerson crossing some deep water !
(Photo courtesy of Eric G Jones 01747 860625)

All the riders can be very proud of themselves, especially Sarah and Rachel who achieved so much on their 13hh ponies. As their mother Mary said "We know these ponies won't get onto the Team for a Championship ride, but the lessons that the girls have learnt this week will stand them in good stead. They are growing out of the ponies rapidly, but at the moment we can't afford to replace both of them".
PS If anyone has a horse that they think might be suitable for the girls to progress onto they would be very pleased to hear from you

Results of 120km Rambo Young Riders Cup

1st Nicolas Vasquez (France) Najib du Bernond (Pure bred)
2nd Sh. Naseer Al Khalifa (Bahrain) Jazir (Pure bred)
3rd Manal Fakhrawi (Bahrain) Tawmarsh Tamarisk (Part bred)
4th= Anna Williams (GB) Druimghigha Shiera (Part Bred)
Philip Hirst (GB) Chahalam (Pure bred)
6th Salem Al Otaibi (Bahrain) Obeyaan al Muheeb (Pure bred)

 

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'Endurance Jan'

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