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Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe
Ride
14/15 May 2001
The Millennium Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe in
May 2000 was acknowledged by all concerned as an extremely successful event
with a striking course and Gold and Premier Awards across all three classes.
"Horseshoe" has always been a unique and prestigious event in the
endurance riders calendar and next year brings a number of important changes to
the 2001 event.
After a number of years at the helm ride chairman and organiser Mr. David
Newton has decided to stand down. Mr. Newton said that the decision was made
with some reluctance and considerable sadness but that business and personal
commitments meant that finding the time required was getting increasingly more
difficult.
The BERA board who have overall responsibility for the ride have asked Martin
and Estelle Pickard to take on the task and lead the organising team for the
2001 Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe Ride. The Pickards, both active endurance
riders, live relatively close to the horseshoe venue at Exford and because they
exercise their horses on Exmoor they have a local understanding of the
idiosyncracies of both the Moor and its Weather.
Building from the success of this years Millennium Horseshoe and using
virtually the same gold standard course the 2001 Hilton Herbs Golden Horseshoe
scheduled for the 14th and 15th May has been increased in scope with the
addition of an FEI two day CEI A ride to be ridden under FEI Rules over the
horseshoe route.
This reflects not only the status of "Horseshoe" as one of the
countries foremost rides, but acknowledges the increasing need for our senior
and international riders to compete on a European and World ranking platform.
The addition of an FEI class to the established set speed criteria of the
Horseshoe classes represents a departure from the norm but as both BERA and the
ride organisers point out:- "The Golden Horseshoe Ride has regularly
changed and updated with the times - it has never been static! The inclusion of
the FEI class alongside the classic set speed classes represents an addition to
the Golden Horseshoe Ride as it enters and reflects the increasing demands of
the 21st century and increased diversity of rider requirements".
The classic Golden Horseshoe formula will not be lost. With set speed rides
over two days across difficult open country both the BERA board and Martin
& Estelle Pickard recognise the unique and historical atmosphere of
"Horseshoe" and cannot emphasise enough that, as ride organisers, it
is their intention to maintain this.
"It is the ultimate goal of virtually every novice and aspiring endurance
rider to one day qualify and ride at "Horseshoe". Bronze, Silver or
Gold awards are really an added bonus; as to compete at Horseshoe is an
achievement in itself and when a rider crosses under the finishing arch for
that first time they KNOW they are an Endurance rider. The spirit of
"Horseshoe" will not be lost".
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