Success for Lancashire Endurance Riders

Endurance riders from the Lancashire Group of Endurance GB, gained resounding success  at the Aerborn Lindum Spirit Endurance Event held at Market Rasen Racecourse on 21st to 24th. July 2005. The Lindum is an annual four day endurance event, offering a variety of classes each day, ranging from 120 km in a day endurance race, through Graded Rides to 32 kilometer Pleasure Rides; a genuine something for everyone national endurance event.

 The Lancashire team, Lancs’R Back, won the Lindum Team Spirit event in a time of 9 hours thirty minutes.  Lancashire had not sent a team to this event since last winning in 2000, but this year were determined to raise a full team. In “running order” the team consisted of Tessa Walmsley from Rossendale riding Readwood Riff Raff, Liz Roskell from Longton riding Brackens Rane, Sue Taylor –Green from Leyland riding Moon Magician, and Rachel Atkinson from Read, Burnley riding Oakthwaite Zara.

As each rider finishes their 25 mile section they then have up to 20 minutes to present to the vet, and pass a vet examination to check that the horse is fit, well and sound, and that it’s heart rate is under 60 beats per minute, the aim being to pass this check as soon as possible.  Once the horse has passed the vet the next rider takes up the number bib, (which is the equivalent of the baton) before setting off on their loop of the race. Each horse and rider combination is vetted before, and after their loop. Whilst the first team across the final finish line is hopefully the eventual winner, the final horse must still pass the vet check before their place is confirmed. Any horses, which do not pass the vet check at any point, or exceed the speed limit, are eliminated.

Lancashire had not sent a team to this event since last winning in 2000, but this year were determined to raise a full team – although at one stage even this seemed unlikely until Team Manager Sue Taylor- Green decided at the last minute that she would fill the gap and ride in the team. In “running order” the team consisted of Tessa Walmsley from Rossendale riding Readwood Riff Raff, Liz Roskell from Longton riding Brackens Rane, Sue Taylor –Green from Leyland riding Moon Magician, and Rachel Atkinson from Read, Burnley riding Oakthwaite Zara.

The race started as a mass start on Market Rasen Racecourse at 6am in the morning and soon progressed to a high level of excitement when Tessa Walmsley moved into the lead. Tessa came back to the racecourse to finish her loop first, with the team from Derbyshire close behind. Liz Roskell set out next, and maintained this lead followed by Sue Taylor-Green, all the Lancs horses passing the vet and time checks successfully. The atmosphere was very intense as Rachel Atkinson set out on the last loop, as Rachel had to plan her finish carefully. It was important that she maintained the lead over Derbyshire, but had to be cautious not to go to fast so as to avoid being eliminated with speed penalties. Rachel judged her position carefully and raced first past the post on the racecourse, amid cheers from the rest of the team. None of the team dared to look at each other as Oakthwaite Zara very quickly presented to the vet, but as she passed fit and sound, another cheer went around the crowd, and the Lancashire Team’s win was confirmed. The team was single handedly but very ably supported throughout the day by their one and only “crew person” Andrew Atkinson.

At the presentation ceremony later that evening, the teams were awarded a variety of gratefully received prizes, donated by sponsors Burstalls Solicitors, Aerborn Equestrian and Dengie Feeds.

Other riders from Lancashire were successful in individual events across the four days of competition. Linda Cowperthwaite won the Lindum Poacher 124 kilometer Endurance race with First Time, and Jean Merchant won the 100 kilometer Endurance Race with Tanita.

Lancs’R Back( from left to right) Sue Taylor-Green, Liz Roskell, Andrew Atkinson, Rachel Atkinson and Tessa Walmsley.

Presentation of Awards – Linda Cowperthwaite, winner of Lindum Poacher.