The 2004 Griffin NuuMed Golden Horseshoe ride returned to its traditional home in Exford and was acclaimed a great success. Masterminded by the Wessex Group Committee led by Liz Hinings, the organisation ran like clockwork. A superb route devised by local International rider Anne Newton met with great praise from all the riders, and Chris Smyth was singled out for a pat on the back for her arrangements at the venue – marquee, catering and bar. Taking time out from the equine activity – there were 17 trade stands to tempt shoppers, and on Sunday - a very attractive cake stall organised by the ladies of the village to raise funds for the church.

An innovation this year was the online results service run by Di Gilpin, Carolyn Price and Hazel Challis. They were kept busy from Sunday lunchtime to Tuesday evening collecting information from the vets, timekeeper and riders and venturing out on course when they could spare the time to see the action for themselves. They wrote reports and updated the results page to make sure that those unfortunate people who couldn’t get to Exford themselves could at least read what was going on. See www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk, or follow the link from www.endurancegb.co.uk.

The feature class - the 2 day 160km Golden Horseshoe – saw 4 Gold Awards won. These extremely prestigious awards went to Mary Korn and Dinmor Dougall from North Wales, Sue Bostlemann and Vlacq Teleri from Staffordshire, Judy White and Bowdell Diplomat from Cornwall and Carolyn Pacey and Infidella from Lincs. Annie Lovell riding Zahra bint El Aswad, from Devon also completed the entire route but was sadly eliminated at the final vetting for lameness. The Exmoor Premier award for the Best Condition was awarded to Dinmor Dougall.

The Exmoor Stag class – a 2 day 120km ride- saw 2 local riders take awards in the highest category. Barbara Wigley and Bletsoe Royal Marie from Wheddon Cross and Mary Chowne and Lumahla Gold from Minehead both finished in excess of 12kph to claim Stag Awards, with the Exmoor Fleur award for Best condition going to Bletsoe Royal Marie. 5 other riders completed the ride to take Hind awards (average speed between 10.5 and 12kph) - Nicky Sherry with Shimmering Blue Jasmine, Jane James with Hilton Hajar and Emily Bliss on Sister Bliss all hail from Cornwall, Pamela Jordan on her 22yo Appalousie Firefly from Staffordshire and Tracey Thompson on her 13hh Bo Busk Echo from North Yorkshire.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Class 1 – Griffin NuuMed Golden Horseshoe

Golden Horseshoe Premier Award – Mary Korn and Dinmor Dougall

The Top Lady Award – Sue Bostlemann

The Laybrook Challenge Trophy (Best Pure Bred Arab) – Vlacq Teleri ridden by Sue Bostlemann

The Ferhanoush Shield (Horse and rider’s first attempt at Horseshoe) Carolyn Pacey and Infidella

The Saxon Trophy (Best Part Bred Arab or Native pony) Judy White and Bowdell Diplomat

The Showgirl Trophy (Best mare) Vlacq Teleri

AHS Summer Sheet Vlacq Teleri

Dunlop Heywood Veteran’s Trophy (highest placed rider over 55) Mary Korn

Griffin NuuMed handling and presentation award – Judy White and Bowdell Diplomat

Class 2 – Exmoor Stag

Exmoor Stag Fleur award – Barbara Wigley and Bletsoe Royal Marie

Saillard Fuller Gold Award - Barbara Wigley and Bletsoe Royal Marie

Saillard Fuller Silver Award – Tracey Thompson and Bo Busk Echo

Saillard Fuller Bronze Award – Pamela Jordan and Appalousie Firefly

Dunlop Heywood Veteran’s Award – Mary Chowne

The Esprit de Ferzon Award (veteran horse) Appalousie Firefly (aged 22)

SW region AHS Summer Sheet –Mary Chowne and Lumahla Gold

Griffin NuuMed handling and presentation award – Katherine Letherby and Diamond’s Belkira

© Sue Wingate - The Joy of Horses 2004