Uncooperative weather proved to be an added obstacle to the endurance test on August 21 at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany.
The 160-km race that took competitors through three different countries – Germany, Belgium and Holland – kicked off at 6 a.m. with a slight drizzle that progressively turned to pouring rain by the race’s end 16 hours later, making for treacherous footing.
Due to the requirement of having three members complete the test in order for a team result to be allowed, Canada wasn’t able to have a team finish, but both Linda Riley of Leslieville, AB, and Ontario native Ruth Sturley of Owen Sound, joined the 65 out of 159 competitors who finished.
Riley finished 62nd in a time of 14 hours and five minutes aboard her 12-year-old Arabian gelding, Sir Century. “I rode my game plan and I am pleased, but this is it for me,” she explained. “Paul (my husband) and I want to retire and do stuff together.”
Despite muddy conditions, and a lost shoe, Sturley finished 38th riding her 13-year-old Arabian gelding RBF Super Sport. The duo crossed the finish in a time of just over 11 hours and five minutes.
“The old gals came through. I’m just so thrilled,” exclaimed Sturley, who at the age of 60 is Canada’s oldest competitor at the WEG.
“There were a lot of people in the streets when we went through the towns and farmers came down their driveways to wave or cheer. Some kids even rode stick horses, pretending they were riding endurance. I wish every endurance race was like this. I want to do it again!”
Unfortunately, team members Julius Bloomfield of Naramata, BC, and her 13-year-old Arabian gelding Avtar; Mary-Anne Dorchester of Whitecourt, AB, and her 15-year-old Arabian gelding SH Rock N Roll; and Karen Badger of Grande Prairie, AB, and her 12-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding Bree were all eliminated at various vet check points.
Chef d’equipe Kay Melvin reported that all five Canadian horses were healthy by the time they were shipped home.
The attrition rate in endurance stems from the physical demands of the horse. Veterinarians always have the welfare of the horse foremost in their minds and prefer to eliminate a competitor rather than risk any damage to the horse.
