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Hexhamshire Trophy Ride 2011

26th August 2011

With top local horses mixing it with entries from Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Scotland, and Cumbria and perfect going, this year’s ride, with its excellent venue, at Cooks House Farm couldn’t fail to be a success.

Although just 4 miles from Hexham town centre, it is surrounded by designated areas of outstanding natural beauty, plenty of natural water supplies, open moors, and the beautiful heather laden Hexham Common, over which the majority of the ride is held. It is a refuge to grouse and partridge to name but a few of the wildlife which can be seen.

The classes ranged from the 80km (50 mile) Hexhamshire Trophy Endurance Ride, sponsored by Mike and Sally Bell of Border Trails Endurance, Graded Competitive rides of 80km, 67km, with a best condition prize sponsored by Classic Uph. & FOAM, Haltwhistle, 43km, 30km distance and two pleasure ride distances of 30km & 19km open for members as well as non-members. All of the competitors also received a Dengie Measuring bucket with samples and Bedmax provided bales of shaving s for horses stabled overnight.

The 80km Endurance Ride, started steadily but the tempo was raised when last years winner Sun Diva GFA ridden by local Hexham based rider Andrew Richardson lost a shoe and after calling the farrier out on course was suddenly 10 minutes behind the front group. However by the end of the first loop, 37km, they managed to be first to the vet and a few seconds in the lead.

The second loop, 31km, was now at a faster pace (16 km/hr) with Sun Diva GFA, Ray Davison with Saintwestwell Silver Mask and the second local rider Robert Newall on his new advanced horse Loti Du Cavssanel in the lead group. At the next vetgate Sun Diva GFA again vetted first and would therefore lead out for the final loop with the other two a minute or so behind.

The last loop was very fast, over 20 km/hr, which, when you consider these horses had already done 68 km over the fell tracks, indicates the overall fitness. Andrew riding Sun Diva knew that he had to try and break away from Silver Mask and Loti, as they both had a longer stride and a faster sprint.

There have been a few racing finishes at Hexham over the years but this years has to go down as one of the best. Andrew had broken away from both the others but not by enough of a gap over Silver Mask. Sun Diva came on to the finishing fields in the lead but as expected Silver Mask had the outright pace for the run to the line to take a well deserved first place at a full gallop.

The ride also hosted the Hadrian Challenge, which was created by Mike Bell, of Border Trails Endurance, Bellingham, who a few years ago, decided that there should be a competition between the Endurance Riding Groups that surround the Hadrian’s Wall. This is a team event with each having four horses and riders. It is held annually at one of the competitive rides in the area surrounding the ‘Wall’. The aim of the Hadrian Challenge is to give members the opportunity to be part of a team event, without going too far afield and the emphasis is on the newer members.

The event also held one of the qualifying rides to the ‘4 for the North’ Bedmax and Cottee Trophies.

Alia Khan and her horse Cloud went home to Scotland with broad smiles after being presented with an embroidered cooler rug from sponsors Classic Uph. & FOAM, for best condition, awarded to the horse considered to be in the best condition after 80km, judged by vets, Lee-Anne Oliver, Claire Hinchliffe and Alison Knight.

All the group’s rides are organised by experienced personnel, with checkpoint marshals and well marked courses, with support from Raynet communications and Emergency Paramedics Services, so we hope that you will join us at other rides this year as well as the Hexhamshire Trophy Ride in 2012 for a taste of true Endurance riding.

Information about other forthcoming events, including the Druridge Beach Bay Pleasure/Training Ride and the Wark Forest Ride are on our website: www.egbnorthumberlandandtyneside.co.uk

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