Horses
Enduring hobby with horses - Becky Taylor talks to Jeni Gilbert who excels in long-distance riding
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| Jeni Gilbert with her grey Connemara-type horse, Flurrie |
ENDURANCE riding is the ideal sport for horse riders who love the countryside and is becoming more and more popular. In the UK it is mainly organised by Endurance GB.
It consists of riding a measured distance either in a specific time range or as fast as possible, often through beautiful countryside that may not normally be available to ride across. However, as well as the fitness and stamina of both horse and rider, there are also a number of other considerations: How does your horse behave in the company of other horses and riders?; Does he mind being overtaken? The rides are organised with strict procedures to be adhered to, with veterinary check ups both before and after the ride where the horse's pulse rate will be monitored, which ensures that all horses entered are fit for the task in hand.
Huddersfield-based Jeni Gilbert (58), who won the Endurance GB supreme championship last year with her grey Connemara-type horse, Flurrie, gave "Smallholder" some insight into her success.
How did you become interested in endurance?
I bought a pony in 1984 which was very keen on exploring and going to new places. Neither of us had any talent for jumping or dressage, so when I found out that there was a sport based on long distance riding (the Endurance Horse and Pony Society, which later became part of Endurance GB), we tried it and we were hooked! I love visiting new areas and meeting the different people on the rides. I consider myself to be an ordinary rider - I just enjoy what I do.
What made the Connemara an appealing breed for endurance?
Many endurance horses are Arab horses and my last horse was an Arab, but I wanted something that was more laid back and so looked at the native pony breeds. I had also seen some other Connemaras on endurance rides so I went to look at a few that were for sale (about 14!) and found Flurrie. He was the right weight and had good conformation. He is 13 now and together we have completed more than 4,000km in five years.
I am thrilled with his achievements. He was the first endurance horse to get 10 x Grade 1 scores in his novice year, which is the perfect score, and is also the first horse to have won both the Endurance GB novice championship (2002) as well as the supreme championship (2007).
How do you and your horse keep healthy and fit?
I ride most days, once or twice, but while Flurrie's basic fitness is carried over from the previous year and it is fairly easy to bring him back up to competition fitness, I find I have to work harder at it! I do Pilates, swimming, walking and skipping. It's very hard fitting it all in.
Flurrie's feeding regime is also a very important factor to consider and so I have taken expert advice on this from the HorseHage equine nutritionist. When we are competing he gets Alfalfa HorseHage rather than hay, as it provides that extra energy required for the long distances we cover. We also have to tempt him more when he is competing so apples and carrots come in handy.
How do you manage to fit your endurance riding in around your job?
I am a self-employed systems analyst and riding is just a hobby for me. I work from home, which makes it a lot easier to look after Flurrie and fit in the riding. We tend to do most of our fitness training in winter and if I had a "normal" job it would be very difficult.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Well, as any horse owner will know, I don't get a lot of free time as most of it is spent riding or looking after my horse. I used to keep chickens and ducks (the chickens were very good for hatching the duck eggs!) but now I just have the ducks and we end up giving away lots of eggs to friends! They are free-range and get on surprisingly well with the horses. I also enjoy reading and I am a BHS access and bridleways officer for West Yorkshire, so researching old tracks and negotiating new ones is an active pastime for me.
Do you have any views on rights of way in the countryside?
The bridleway network is very fragmented and under-funded. More and more people want to enjoy the countryside on foot, horse or cycle, and with the busy roads, a good network is needed. There was once a good network but a lot of it has fallen into disrepair. Paths are not recorded correctly and people are not always sure of the correct route to follow. Also bridleways are needed in urban as well as rural areas. Riders really need to get involved.
What are your aims for this season?
I would like to complete, successfully 160 km (100miles) in a day, and it would also be great to compete in France. Of course, I also want my horse to remain sound and fit.
If you'd like to know more about rights of way, contact BHS Access for a copy of "What the BHS Access and Rights of Way (ARoW) does for you".
Campaign for safer off-road riding and driving.
Lobby government to ensure statutory and non-statutory provision is made for equestrians.
Discuss with other user bodies, local and central government, landowners and farmers how to make access and rights of way useful to all.
Support a network of volunteer BHS access and bridleways officers who give expert local advice www.bhs.org.uk.
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CommentPosted by: Vanessa Lambert, Hastings on 9:03am Mon 15 Sep 08
why would you call your horse flurrie it sounds a bit like mcflurrie
why would you call your horse flurrie it sounds a bit like mcflurrie
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