This year was the 35th running of this ride and the 5th year of sponsorship from Hilton Herbs, herbalists from Crewkerne Somerset. This year's course took in many famous local beauty spots, including North Hill, with stunning views over Bristol Channel, Exford Common, Winsford Hill and The Punchbowl. The halfway point was at Higher Rodhuish Farm, two and a half miles South of Dunster. The course is altered each year but wherever it goes, it is never easy and it is the ultimate test that endurance horses and riders have to face. The weather always causes huge additional problems, as if the Exmoor terrain was not enough, and this year, heavy rain, driving winds, sunshine and fog gave the riders more than enough to cope with.

Out of 27 starters only four riders finished. No rider achieved Gold but from the final four, three silvers and one bronze were awarded. At halfway on the second day we were hopeful that three might achieve that difficult Gold but it was not to be and Gold remained elusive for yet another year.

Main Award Winners - left to right - Zoe Griffiths & Kay Bee Jay, Jane Williams & Druimghigha Shiera and Yvonne Tyson & Valtnor Armistice

Silver winners were Jane Williams from Cornwall riding Druimghigha Shiera, Candy Cameron from Inverness riding Drop du Bagnas and Nikki Jenkins from Newton Abbott, Devon with Three Corners Sasha. The Bronze award went to Yvonne Tyson from Weston Super Mare and Valtnor Park Armistice. Yvonne's daughter Sarah was also competing in the Golden Horseshoe class but was unfortunately spun after the first day. Yvonne won the Hilton Herbs Veteran Horse Award with her 15 year old Australian horse who is only 14.3 hh. Yvonne only bought this horse in January of this year and says of this horse, "when the going gets tough, he gets going." Yvonne has been endurance riding since 1979 and has represented Britain on many occasions. She ended up with a black eye on the first day after having an argument with a branch!

Although Jane Williams did not get Gold she certainly collected plenty of prizes. She won the Golden Horseshoe Premier Award, for the horse judged to be best capable of going another 25 miles, the Top Lady award, the Saxon Trophy for the highest placed Part Bred Arab, the Show Girl Trophy for the highest placed mare and finally the Best Placed Part Bred Arab award. Jane will not forget the 1999 Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe ride for a long time. Both Jane and Nikki are long listed for the Senior Team which travels to Portugal in October for the European Endurance Riding Championships.

Although they did not win Gold these riders must be congratulated for finishing the toughest endurance ride in this country. I'm sure they'll be back again next year to take on the challenge of the rugged Exmoor terrain and to battle against the varying weather conditions.

EXMOOR STAG

Belinda Sterwart & Marches Triandra take time off for refreshments in the ford at Dunster

Forty three riders accepted the Stag challenge but the only Gold winner was a delighted Belinda Stewart with Marches Triandra. From Abergavenny, Monmouthshire Belinda is in her fifth year with this lovely horse, a part bred Morgan. The dam succeeded in gaining four Golds at the Golden Horseshoe when ridden by Gill Shutt a former international rider. Belinda won Bronze in 1997 and was a member of the Intermediate team last year that travelled to France. Silvers went to Anne Urwin and Nhamir, Fiona Hamilton and Burfield Queen Bee, Margaret McKiddie and Bonnie Annie, Gillian Talbot and Piaff, Rosemary Attfield and Gleam of the Haar and Sally Grant and Epistle. Zoe Griffiths and Kay Bee Jay also won Silver and the Exmoor Stag Fleur Award for the horse best thought to be able to go a further 25 miles. Bronze awards went to Janet Turner, Pam Jordan and Margaret Pierce. Hopefully these riders will tackle the 100 miles next year.

NOVICE

A new class this year which attracted 21 starters. Run over 50 miles in the one day it was a good idea to give horses and riders a feel of how difficult the terrain over Exmoor is and how the changeable weather in the area can affect the ride. Eleven riders finished the course, four riders gaining Grade 2, Jane Beynon, Natahe Noke, Lisa Franks and Christopher Rose. Six riders gained Grade 3 Kate Robertson, Joanna Chisholm, Marion Ashby, Catherine Reeve, Sandie Braund and Dianne Latham. Jane Van Lennep achieved a completion. This class should attract even more entries next year.