Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2010 | Page 105

gardening

Island Life - October/November 2010

the rider
island equestrian

A real test of endurance
It proved to be something of an

we went down to the pub, but not a

endurance test actually getting

drop of alcohol passed our lips!”

to Southwell. But the trip to

The team were up at 7.0am the

jackets helped!”
The ride results were close, but the
Island riders were delighted – and

Nottinghamshire proved extremely

following day for vetting at 10.0am,

rightly so – with their third placed

worthwhile for the Island’s Vectis

and judging of turnout, all looking

finish. No wonder it was time to party

Equestrian Club quartet of Mandy

smart in their Ariat jackets, sponsored

in Southwell, along with crew members

Steen, Carla Maskell, Caroline Cooper

by Froghill. The ladies negotiated the

Anna, Marie, Rhona, Tina, Di, Chris and

and Trudi Gattrell – plus a few willing

course without too many mishaps,

Dave.

volunteers.

Carla and Mandy

The ladies made the long trek

averaging 13.5

to compete in the BRC Endurance

kilometres per

Championships, and finished an

hour, and Trudi

extremely creditable third in an event

and Caroline

that attracted entries from all over the

12.75 kph. Then

country.

they had only 30

Mandy, riding Dynamite Daisy, Carla

minutes to cool

on Be Fine, Caroline with Perrone

the horses off and

Pazzaz and Trudi riding Decadence

present them at

qualified for the championships after

vetting.

winning their way through in an event
held in Berkshire.
The endurance ride entailed covering

Trudi said: “Daisy
had a slight hind
lameness so failed

a 31-kilometre course that began and

the vetting. Luckily

ended at Southwell racecourse, and

the other three

included riding cross-country, as well as

horses were ok

along bridlef paths and lanes, and one

so we had a team

rather busy road.

score, and Daisy

“It was something of a scary

was fine after a

experience at times but overall it was

rest. The prize

great,” smiled Trudi, who had double

giving took place

cause for celebration having reached

at 4.0pm, and

her 40th birthday the day before the

our scrubbing and

event.

cleaning worked as

She said: We walked the horses in

we came second

hand on the Saturday evening, and had

in the turnout. I'm

a practice run at the vetting area. Then

sure the very nice

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Carla Maskell on Be Fine and Mandy Steen on Dynamite Daisy

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