I freely admit that I was terrified in the run up to this, our first endurance competition. I had so many questions that would really only be answered by doing it. The terrain, the route, the weather (and renowned microclimate), riding with runners at close proximity, what the other riders and horses were like. I also had the usual fears about getting there; on time and to the right place!
My biggest fear was "is Easter fit/conditioned enough?". I needn't have worried. It turned out the terrain was very similar to our back yard training ground of hills, river ford's, bridges, gullys and lots of stoney forestry tracks. The weather the week before was hot, humid, frankly quite stifling but thankfully we had a downpour Thursday/Friday to take the edge off it.
The day itself was grey and cool (perfect for us), we left eight little acres at 6.30am and set off for Llanwrtyd Wells. The parking, and start was all a little chaotic with stewards running the event out of the back of their car in the station car park but there was a great atmosphere. The horses and runners came in all shapes, some better built and prepared for what lay ahead than others!
If you want to take part in this challenge I have detailed some advice/findings below, the ride itself; amazing, exhilarating and emotional at times (mainly because I am daft and so proud of my pony for being so willing). The hills are long and energy sapping, the tracks were very stoney, the views far reaching; of forest and on the later stages rolling welsh farmland unchanged for centuries.
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Your horse must be brave and kind, you have to work in very close proximity
to some very tired, wobbly runners! |
There were plenty of water stations and marshals so you were never on your own for too long, although much of the second leg I found we were the only horse and rider as I somehow made a break from the slower packs but never realised we were in reach of the fast pack.
The only bad point on the ride was that the furthest water station, 2miles before the half way vet check, ran out of horse water and they asked us to wash/water the horses in a stream up ahead...it was steep sided, rocky and crawling with runners, not ideal!
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Wearing tack she was familiar including a saddle bag numnah with emergency supplies
we were pretty comfy despite having to crawl through a bog and learn to rock climb like a
mountain goat! |
The banter from runners and the voluntary marshals was inspiring and if I don't get a place to ride in future I would definitely consider helping on the day (I think they need all the help they can get!). Easter and I came home in 3hrs 31min, the 17th horse home out of 50 starters. She had plenty left in the tank and recovered well so I reckon there is room to step this up a gear next time.
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| A good first run and a time to beat next time! |
The race is run as a non-profit-making event, any money made goes to local causes in Llanwrtyd Wells so there is a really friendly community feel, it makes you appreciate that the land you are riding over has been opened to the cause for the day and is not usually open to the public.
Woody was my absolute saviour and the day goes to him and Easter, his military planning and organisational skills were spot on, we could not have done it without him. Hopefully I can repay the turn and support him when he runs it next year!!
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Easter was also the covergirl on the MvH Facebook
page and for the local pubs specially brewed beer! |
Points to consider:
If you are used to horse friendly organisation of BE, RC and even local fun rides...scrub that from your mind, it's well meant chaos. Runners, riders, TV crews, horses, cars, kids, dogs all using the same parking and walking areas. Go with an open mind and a strong awareness for your own safety!
Your horse needs to be fit. Two hours in the school every evening or a nice four hour hack won't cut it. your horse needs to be hard as nails and used to being bashed about a bit (lots of hard roadwork...don't actually beat them up!). If you regularly hunt (all day) you'll be fine. Any concerns, speak to your vet, trainer, get advice. Get a good book (or Google a fitness plan!) and make sure you start the process months in advance. Fittening is one thing but the conditioning takes longer (years!) for bones to reach high impact density. For this reason I personally would not put a young horse (under 7yo) through this due to the unknown effects it could have on its development. Easter and I hunted all winter and started the focused fittening for this event in April.
Transport. We usually take the horses out in my converted Renault Master horse van, fantastic maneuverability and economic to run it would have been useless in this situation. You need a reliable 4x4 and trailer you can unhitch, for two reasons; the field you park in is a bog, literally, and your crew member (I'll get on to this) needs transport, a push bike or nice road car isn't really suitable.
Crewing. A crew is not mandatory, personally I think it should be. Your crew can be your mum, husband friend, trainer, whoever they are needs to be confident around horses in highly charged small spaces, familiar with your kit, well briefed (by you!), able to read a map and take charge in difficult situations. One or two went without a crew and ended up loosing kit, worst case you risk the wellbeing of your horse, you need more than one pair of hands/eyes. At the halfway vet check the horse must be stripped, washed/cooled, checked for injury and offered water/liquid feed and juicy snacks (apples/carrots). The Heartbeat monitored and presented to the vet as soon as the heart returns to 60bpm. Once cleared, tack goes back on and you get away as quick as possible. (in reality it was so lovely to see Woodys friendly face with supplies of chocolate and drinks I possibly faffed about a little too long!)
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After passing the last vet check at the finish. Ice boots on, washed
down, just waiting on a pint of cider! |
Kit. Whatever tack/kit/clothing you and your horse wears make sure you are familiar with it, ride your training rides in it, get tack checked/repaired well in advance just don't buy sparkly new stuff and use first time on the day. You're a long way from home if something breaks, rubs, doesn't fit. (I recommend investing stirrup cages and wearing hiking boots with chaps).
Equipment. #Water buckets x 2. #Large tubtrug x1 (for dumping/carrying things in or for water). #Feed bucket x2. #Headcollar/rope with spares. #Ice boots. Coolbox with ice. # Filled Water carrier x1 (although you could do with two, the water bowsers were nearly empty at the halfway vet check). # Sponges x2 (one on you and one with the crew). # Soup feed or apple juice. # 2 haynets. # Electrolytes. # People/horse food. # Cooler rugs x 2. # Turnout rug and wet weather gear. # Travel kit. # Horse/human first aid kit. # Small grooming kit/Hoof pick. (Kitchen sink?!)
Feeding the equine athlete. Know your horse, feed as per the normal feeding rules, introduce the use of electrolytes during your training. Look for supplements/electrolytes with added calcium to help specifically with muscle repair. Allow the horse as much forage as they want before the race, fibre sits in the hindgut and retains water, acting like a sponge to keep them hydrated, this will aid recovery. You can also feed apples, apple juice, linseed/sugar beet water to encourage fluid intake at vet checks.
I hope that all helps?
There will be a GoPro video once we've figured out how to edit it, hopefully that will give you a good idea of the terrain. I've probably left loads off but I am happy to answer any questions however random you may think.
Right, enough of all this glamour and excitement....back to pulling ragwort....it's that time of year again!
