Golden Horseshoe Ride '09
Exmoor can be demanding and one of the toughest competition courses in Europe. Which is why the Golden Horseshoe Ride attracts the very best endurance horses and riders and why it is so popular with competitors and spectators.
This year's three-day ride meeting, based since 1974 at Exford, starts on May 10th. Hosting classes of 120kms (75 miles) spread over two days, 80kms (50miles) in two days and 80kms (50 miles) in one day as well as the gruelling 160kms (100-miles) in two days Golden Horseshoe Ride itself.
To add to the attractions, there's also a 23kms (14 miles) sponsored pleasure ride in aid of the Moorland Mousie Trust and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and, for the first time, a Trail Run over 14 miles of the Golden Horseshoe course.
The 100 mile course, which changes every year and forms the basis of all the competitive routes over the three days, takes in the village of Winsford before turning south to Marsh Bridge, and following the river Barle for a short while. It then heads north through Withypool, past Larkbarrow and across Withycombe Allotment to Oare village. It then crosses the A39 at County Gate and heads towards Porlock before turning south again across Lucott Moor and Exford Common to return to the venue, which is the site of the famous Exford Show to the south of the village.
Competitive rides start on the second day, with the first - now the meeting's 'family day' - hosting displays in the main arena which will include a parade of Black Arabian horses, a display of Exmoor Ponies, and a demonstration of Dog Agility, with the chance for anyone to 'have a go' with their own pet afterwards.
The pre-ride vetting for the Golden Horseshoe competitors begins at 2.00pm on May 10th, together with the judging of the 'Turnout and Handling award'.
For details visit: www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk
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