Holy Smoke!
Over the weekend of the 28th and 29th of August past, the Irish Endurance Team travelled to the annual endurance Home International and Celtic Challenge at Burgie, near Inverness in Scotland, to compete against teams from Scotland, England, Wales and Cornwall.
The Irish team were out to defend their double victory in the 2009 test at Ludlow, Shropshire, where Ireland won first place in both the Celtic Challenge and the Home International team competitions and then went on to win the overall top nation competition also.
Twelve horses travelled, including the 13 year-old connemara pure-bred Holy Smoke (M-11763) bred by Feichin & Kerry King in Ballyconneely (by Smokey Duncan out of his mare Bunowen Castle Queen). They were travelling under the auspices of the ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) – the governing body for Endurance Riding in Ireland. An ideal lead for two junior members and their horses, Smoke was chosen to be the Irish parade horse and lead out the Irish team during the team parade.
Endurance Riding can consist of beginner-level pleasure riding to Competitive Trail Rides (starting from 20 miles) to Endurance Races – these normally start at 50 miles and are for experienced horses and riders only. These Endurance Rides or Races present the toughest challenges, where riders are competing against each other rather than the clock. The highest level of competition is the 160km (100 mile) endurance ride, the International Senior championship distance. It is billed as a unique competitive challenge, and a supreme sport for learning about equine fitness. Veterinary checks before and after competitive rides – and in the middle too for longer distances – ensures the best possible care is taken of the horse.
The high hopes of teams of retaining both of Ireland’s 2009 titles were soon dashed, however. Ireland’s prospects suffered even before the off, with Thomas Roche’s mount Mister Flint being deemed unable to start. Ellanora, ridden by Robyn Catterall, was lame at the first vet gate, where Larry O’Neill’s Bluebell was also eliminated on metabolic grounds. Then Helen McFarland’s J St Jake met with a injury to his hoof and retired approximately 40 miles into the race, effectively ending Irish title hopes.
It is a testament to the character of these young riders and their support staff that the collapse of the team’s prospects did not dull their determination and good spirits. With steady encouragement from Chef d’Equipe Cora Roche, positive results in the individual performances began to register. Kate Russell, riding Spike in his first endurance race, finished in 6th position over what was acknowledged as a technical route in their 50 mile race. Jane Bruce on Holy Smoke, Sancha Talbot riding Calypso and Hannah Catterall on Holly all finished their 25 mile rides successfully on the Saturday. Sunday saw more success with Jane, Sancha and Hannah matching their previous day’s success to clock up another 25 miles. Jenni Cunningham with Breeze and Bronagh Kearney on Vetus completed 30 miles, and Tasha Anderson on Zeno and Edward Allen on Pepperjack also finished the 25 mile ride. By this time, Holy Smoke had successfully completed 50 miles over 2 days with a low heart rate and finished the course at exactly the required optimum time.
The disappointment of the team results were somewhat dispelled with the announcement that two of Ireland’s young riders had won individual awards. Sancha Talbot on Calypso had won the Celtic Challenge Young Rider award, and Jenni Cunningham on Breeze had won the Home International Junior Rider award. The experience of travelling and competing away from these shores has put the team in good heart as they plan to recapture both trophies at next year’s event, scheduled for Builth Wells at the Royal Welsh Showgrounds in October 2011.
You can find out more about the ILDRA and some local events near you from their own website – enduranceridingireland.com.
