The British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company’s Red Dragon Festival of Endurance was held at The Royal Showground, Builth Wells on 27 – 29 September 2024. The popular event attracted endurance enthusiasts from across the country in what is traditionally one of the final endurance events in the calendar. Offering the opportunity to ride through the Cambrian mountains for all routes, with the beautiful 26km route entirely on Aberedw Hill, it offers a unique atmosphere and a spectacular riding experience.
British Horse Feeds (BHF) and The Golden Paste Company (GPCo) have been committed sponsors to this event for over a decade. As well as actively engaging in the event, BHF and GPCo present prizes and have a stand there to meet and advise both new and existing customers. Several trophies and awards were sponsored by BHF and GPCo throughout the evenT.
The Speedi-Beet Red Dragon Award consists of a two-day 160km Competitive Endurance Ride (CER) – 80km each day, with an overnight hold. Taking the Red Dragon Cup in first place, along with 12-month supply of Speedi-Beet and a commemorate buckle was Georgina Vaughan riding Vlacq Journeyman. This pair also took home the Best Condition prize in this class, sponsored by British Horse Feeds and Georgina was awarded the Best Competitor in Wales with the Corrwg Trophy. In second place was Aimee Grainger on Sheraani and in third, Emma Martin riding Nightfire Hallelujah Louis.
On her winning ride, Georgina said, “The win meant an awful lot to me. It’s the toughest race in the UK and my Mum has won it historically – it’s also a local ride to me and we came second here a couple of years ago. I specifically trained my horse this year for this race.
I’ve had him since he was a yearling – I bought him when I first moved back to Wales thirteen years ago and have been the only one to train him ever since. He gave me a phenomenal ride, he left the other competitors at the bottom of the first hill and continued strongly from there. He never once questioned me. You need a huge amount of luck on your side for rides like this. I was concerned when the weather turned earlier in the week as it wouldn’t have suited the way I wanted to ride. You’ve just got to adapt to conditions – It means riding more cautiously and ride to the going in front of you. On the downhill sections I got off him and ran with him to get off his back.” When asked about also being awarded ‘Best Condition’ in their class, Georgina commented, “They’ve got to be fit enough, conditioned enough and fed correctly to cope with what you’re asking them to do. It’s also about how good their recovery is – at vet gates they’re being judged on whether they are capable of doing another loop.”
The Eskalibar Shield for the winner of The British Horse Feeds’ Little Dragon, a one-day 80km CER, was won by Bethan Lewis riding Merlin – they too take home a 12-month supply of Speedi-Beet along with a commemorative slate. The pair were also judged to be the winners of the Best Condition in this class, sponsored by British Horse Feeds. “Red Dragon is one of the toughest endurance rides on the UK calendar. It’s a true test of endurance” said Bethan. “The route is challenging with hills upon hills and more. It may not be the fastest of courses, but it’s by far the most challenging. The weather can also be very unpredictable. You can have all four seasons in a matter of hours!”
“I competed in the 80km race ride on my horse, Merlin – a 17-year-old Arab x Welsh Section D. I’m very proud of my boy, he gave it his all and never questioned me, even when I asked for a gallop to the finish line for a racing finish. Crew members also have a vital role, ensuring horses are eating and drinking well and aiming for quick recoveries at vettings to try and gain some time on the other competitors one to train him ever since. He gave me a phenomenal ride, he left the other competitors at the bottom of the first hill and continued strongly from there. He never once questioned me. You need a huge amount of luck on your side for rides like this. I was concerned when the weather turned earlier in the week as it wouldn’t have suited the way I wanted to ride. You’ve just got to adapt to conditions – It means riding more cautiously and ride to the going in front of you. On the downhill sections I got off him and ran with him to get off his back.” When asked about also being awarded ‘Best Condition’ in their class, Georgina commented, “They’ve got to be fit enough, conditioned enough and fed correctly to cope with what you’re asking them to do. It’s also about how good their recovery is – at vet gates they’re being judged on whether they are capable of doing another loop.”
I love Red Dragon and this sport – you get to explore the countryside and go places you never normally would, all on horseback. Also, the endurance people are so like-minded, and everyone is so friendly. It’s great catching up with everyone, not just other riders but also the organisers and volunteers. Many thanks to British Horse Feeds for sponsoring the Red Dragon and for some lovely prizes.”
In The Fibre-Beet Dragon’s Tail ride, the competitors took on a one-day 80km CER on Saturday, followed by a 44km Graded Endurance Ride (GER) on Sunday, competing for the Clarach Bay Services Cup. After two days of competition, this was won by Katie Melor riding Phoenix, who take home a 12-month supply of Fibre-Beet. Emma Lewis took second place with El Emira.
It’s not just about the horses and riders in Endurance; the ability to compete would not be possible without the crew around them, which is why BHF collate feedback throughout the event and nominate a winner for The British Horse Feeds’ Best Crew Award. This year the award went to Philip Ingham, crewing for his wife, Caroline Ingham who won The Dragon’s Claw – a 52km ride over two days, 26km on each day.
Enthusiastic endurance supporter and Customer and Sales Coordinator for The Golden Paste Company, Hannah Elsworth loves nothing more than heading to Wales for the event to support the team there, “It was a pleasure to be there and represent British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company as sponsors for the event. John and Jane simply do an impeccable job of organising this event and there are around 80 volunteers that come forward to help everything run smoothly.
Early on Saturday morning, I heard a lady speaking with her family about potentially pulling her horse out of the ride as he hadn’t eaten whilst being stabled at the event. It is crucial that endurance horses continue to eat throughout the event so that they have the energy they need to get up and down those Welsh hills. I politely offered my advice on fibre feeding and asked if she would like to try some Fibre-Beet that I had already soaked. When the owner found me later in the day, she told me that not only had the horse eaten the Fibre-Beet, they’d gone on to be second in their class! The owner was so grateful for the advice and the Fibre-Beet – she said without it they wouldn’t have even started the ride.
I had a fantastic experience crewing for one of the 80km race riders. It was great to see plenty of riders using our fibre feeds and TurmerAid at the vet gates, all contributing to the horses’ recovery.
This event is simply breathtaking, from the stunning location to the time and effort of the riders, horses, crew members and most importantly the organisers. I always come away feeling I should perhaps give endurance riding a go one day!”
John Hudson, co-organiser of the event with his wife Jane said: “Jane and I are extremely grateful to British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company for their support once again, for what is the twelfth time that they have been involved. Their support is absolutely invaluable and crucial to on-going success of the event. Despite the poor weather for the two or three days prior to the event, the riders were treated to a fabulous weekend of riding over distances ranging from 26km in one day to 160km in two days. It is our privilege to run such an iconic endurance event in Endurance GB’s calendar.”
To find out more about endurance riding and future events, visit Endurance GB here.
About British Horse Feeds
For decades, British Horse Feeds have been synonymous with quality, innovation, and excellence. Renowned for its flagship product ‘Speedi-Beet’ and more recently ‘Fibre-Beet’ these products are a great way to add the benefits of adding ‘super fibres’ to your horse’s diet for slow-release energy.
Find out more about British Horse Feeds at www.britishhorsefeeds.com
For equine feeding advice and further information please call us on 01765 680300 or email enquiries@britishhorsefeeds.com
About The Golden Paste COmpany
A trusted name in natural well-being and joint supplements with a commitment to promoting joint health and overall vitality, The Golden Paste Company offer a wide range of effective solutions, including their renowned turmeric supplements.
Find out more about The Golden Paste Company at www.goldenpastecompany.co.uk
For all equine and pet supplement nutritional advice and further information please call us on 01423 503319 or email info@goldenpastecompany.com
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