Endurance riding has a history that dates back to when horses were first used to travel long distances as a means of transport. As a form of competitive sport though, endurance riding first emerged in the USA in the 1950s, and reached Europe in the 1960s. In 2010, it’s a real test of both horse and rider fitness with events covering distances of up to 160km, which means many hours in the saddle.
As a nation, Great Britain has taken an Endurance team to every World Equestrian Games (WEG) since the first in 1990, where they won Team Gold. Since then, results haven’t been quite as strong but this year’s team represents our best chance of bringing home a medal for many years. Beccy Broughton-Booker, Ros Clapp, Janice Cockley Adams, Christine Yeoman and David Yeoman make up a strong team with plenty of experience at Championship and International level.
Liz Finney, Endurance Chef d’Equipe discusses the team’s prospects and preparation in the lead up to the Games which start on 25 September in Kentucky, USA.
“We have a really strong team of five riders going to WEG who all have competed successfully in International rides on many occasions. After winning Gold in Stockholm, our results haven’t been quite as good but we’re hoping for a strong show in Kentucky which will help put British Endurance back at the top of the sport.
“The horses have all proved that they are capable of the speeds necessary nowadays to win team medals and we will be competing with a real chance of a top team position. The team has all worked really hard over a number of years as members of the British squad, to produce well trained and very fit horses.
“We will be up against some stiff competition though, with France probably the leading nation and of course you can never discount the Americans, particularly as they will be on home soil.
“With only a couple of weeks to go now before both the riders and horses fly out, we are continuing our final preparations. We have been focussing on working as a team, as well as stamina, and taking part in training weekends. The horses have already competed in some long distance races so far this year, with the aim of them being at peak physical condition by the time the competition starts.
“The riders themselves also have to be extremely fit as they can spend up to nine hours in the saddle. As well as cardio vascular fitness, they also do a lot of pilates work to help with their core strength.”
The Team
Christine Yeoman will be riding L M Midday. She is already experienced at this level having been on the squad for the last WEG in Aachen and twice at the European Championships.
Janice Cockley Adams will be riding Roxanne du Bout du Monde and is on good form having taken top places at two FEI international rides this year.
Beccy Broughton-Booker, who will be riding Java Sunlight, has been a member of the British team three times at European Championships, at WEG in 2002 and at two World Championships.
Ros Clapp will be riding Nazeeka, a former show horse who now excels in endurance. The pair have consistently won and been placed at top level over the past four years including finishing 11th at the 2009 FEI European Championships at Assisi.
David Yeoman, Christine’s brother-in-law, will ride Haszar, having had considerable success with two wins and a second place at FEI events as well as winning Gold at the Golden Horseshoe Ride this year.
