Posted: 11th August 2014 | Back to news feed
TopSpec Lindum Spirit 2014 was certainly a scorcher with temperatures in the high 20's for the duration it is commendable to both riders and the veterinary team that not one horse presented with metabolic problems throughout the five days. Riders were clearly mindful of the conditions and rode accordingly.
The first highlight was the Ride and Run class, with 16 entries giving this challenge a go. There was a family tussle at the top with children Tom and Lottie Dennet stealing first place from Mum and Dad, Rachel and Mike. The Leg Stretch class was won by Carol Counter on Beresford Sidney.
Thursday's Team Spirit saw only four teams forward but the event was hotly contested regardless. Newcomers to Lindum, Fiona Griffiths and Sam Owen making the trip from Brecon added old hand Gaynor Jones and Squire to their three horses to win in style from Lindum Groups team. Pleasure Pairs was won by Sue Taylor Green and Carla Jackson having their first taste of this class.
Friday saw only Amber Sole with Basford Showman and Colin Sykes on Iglo tackle the 120 CER, and sadly Iglo was retired on course lame early on, leaving Amber to ride the distance on her own. Basford Showman, now 17-years-old still looked full of running at the finish, winning the class at a speed of 13.25kph.
Six of the seven entrants for the Spirit class started the class, with Julie Payne on Bright Diamond an elimination at Vet Gate 1. Ann Harrison and Deja Vu were a further casualty at the start of day two, and a similar fate met Ellie Moxon and Daante on the morning of day three, leaving just three running to complete the 170kms. Lauren Mills and Oakleaze Farm Czarko came in at 13.7kph, in fine form to take first place, with Alex Tennant and Fleur second over the line at 13.1kph....sadly Fleur trotted up lame at the final vetting handing Ruth Chadwick and Aragorn second place at 11.7kph.
Said Nicola Tyler of TopSpec: “We were very pleased to sponsor such a well known event on the endurance circuit. The Lindum Spirit Endurance Ride has a great following and a lot of support and it was a fantastic event .”
As title sponsors TopSpec supported the Spirit class in which horse and rider competed over a 170km endurance ride across three days, the Team Spirit class where teams of four riders took on a 40km ride each, and the Pilgrim class where riders combined dressage, endurance riding and a handy pony obstacle course.
Fiona Griffiths and Oliver Twist continued their winning streak by winning Saturdays' Little Lindum 92km CER at a speed of at 13.3kph.
Sunday's climax with various fun and games saw yet more success for the Welsh contingent, with Fiona Griffith, again with Oliver Twist winning the Pilgrim from Sam Owen on Balishla.
Ruth Chadwick took the multi day award on Aragorn from Cheryl Wallace on the barefoot winner Jumanji. Emma Harris on Tomorrows Promise showed their prowess in the bending and barrel racing and won both these classes.
The Trekker 108 GER class was won by Julie Martin riding her daughter's Silva Quartz from Tracy Walthall on Sigmunt.
All the social events were also very well attended, with Luke Burridge's barrel racing clinic, the dog show, mounted fancy dress, along with the pub quiz night on Friday and The Woodstock themed Ball on Saturday, being particular highlights. All these and other features generated good funds for the chosen charity of LIVES this year. Altogether it is expected that around £2,500 will have been raised.
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