New Endurance GB events put focus on welfare

Great Britain is to host four new endurance events this summer – with all prize money going to the horses that finish in the best condition.

Best Condition Award

The events at Euston Park in will be fun in ‘strict accordance’ with the FEI’s Best Condition Awards.

Each course will be designed to keep horse speeds down to an average 20kph and will include up to five vet gates. The events will use ‘sophisticated veterinary knowledge and experience’ to ensure they adhere to the highest standards of horse welfare.

The biggest change to the events is that all prize money will be allocated to the Best Condition Award.

‘Restore the reputation’

“The Euston Park rides offer Great Britain an opportunity to restore the reputation of the discipline by enforcing our key values of endurance riding,” said John Hudson, chairman of Endurance GB.

“We look forward to a series of technical rides with a focus on the ability of horses to complete the course in the best condition possible.”

The HPower Group, the team behind events such as Olympia, Royal Windsor and Horse of the Year Show, has been appointed to run the events in association with the BEF and the FEI.

Growth of endurance

The four competitions at Euston Park ­– the venue of the 2012 World Endurance Championships ­– will take place on 28 May, 19 June, 16 July and 13 August. They include rides over 80, 120 [junior and senior] and 160 kilometres.

Keith Taylor chairman and president of the British Equestrian Federation believes these events will grow the profile of the sport in the UK.

“We look forward to welcoming riders and teams to our shores this summer,” he said. “Our overall aim is to contribute positively to the reputation and growth of endurance as an important part of equestrian sport.”