Silver award for Vicky at endurance event
A HALIFAX rider came home with a silver award from one of the biggest endurance competitions in the company.
Vicky Atkinson, of Norton Tower, Halifax, joined riders from across the country at the Golden Horseshoe, held over the challenging terrain of Exmoor, North Devon.
Vicky, a nurse, took part in the Exmoor Experience ride, with her 15hh bay Arab Vlacq Zamin.
The ride covers a tough distance of 80kms over two days. The pair were going well and on target for a gold award, but dropped to silver at the final vet inspection. Vlacq Zamin had a slightly raised pulse rate which cost them a vital penalty point.
"It was cold and windy at the end and I think, with hindsight, I should have got a second rug on Vlacq Zamin," said Vicky.
She said Vlacq Zamin, who turned 15 just after the ride was not good at drinking when he was on a ride so had lost weight.
"It's okay for him though and wasn't a worry."
They finished at a good average speed of 12.2 kph, bagging a silver award.
"He went really well and was up for the challenge – a bit too much – but he needs to be slightly fitter," Vicky said.
The pair had missed out on two warm up rides which had been cancelled.
Disaster nearly struck on day two when Vicky's husband Charles, who was crewing for her, broke the car key in the lock.
"I was all for withdrawing but he got Julie Martin, who originally introduced me to endurance to help out."
Julie rose to the call and with assistance from fellow endurance riders Emma Martin and Jeni Gilbert, rallied round to provide the vital back up crew riders need at stops and the compulsory veterinary checks.
"Charles did manage to get things put right in time to meet me at the final vet inspection," she said.
Vicky, whose 22-year-old daughter Caroline also competes in the sport, will be aiming for the 64km Helmsley Ride in North Yorkshire next month.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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