Two learners from Weston Angus Heubsch and James Adie recently represented the KZN young rider U21 contingent at the Fauresmith 200km National Enduro Ride.
The event had an international flavour with in addition to teams from other provinces, international riders from the USA, Czechoslovakia, Lesotho and Namibia. Angus Heubsch was selected as the fourth rider in the KZN team and James Adie was the team’s reserve. The Weston group with staff members Ralph and Charmaine Paterson left for Fauresmith in advance, allowing two days for the horses to acclimatise and recoup after the eight hour journey, and enough time for the riders to catch up on some sleep and get all their entries finalised. Angus and his horse Buddy were first united at the Mooi River ride in August last year, and have competed in a number of events since then. James and his horse Blaize began their partnership at Tala in September. One of the highlights was parading in KZN provincial colours, the day before the ride. The ride took place over three days, with riders covering 75km on each of the first two days and 50km on the last. There were vet checks every 25km where the horses’ vital signs were assessed to ensure that the horse could safely continue.
It was decided that Buddy would wear rubber glue on boots; this would protect his feet, especially the soles from the hard going and numerous stones. This is also recognised as a barefoot horse as there are no nails driven into the hooves. Blaize’s feet were comparatively very hard and in good shape, so it was decided that he could attempt to ride barefoot, knowing that boots could be put on at a later stage should he require them.
James and Angus departed just after 8am on day one. They covered the first 25km quickly and this set the pattern for the day. James slowed down slightly on the second leg due to the treacherous stones as Blaize was barefoot, but both riders completed the next two legs and arrived safely back at base camp with sound horses in just under five hours easily clearing the six hour cut off.
Day two was much the same with James slowing down even more for the second leg, and both riders taking a little longer overall. By this stage, many of the horses that had started with them had been eliminated due to high pulses or lameness. Both Angus and James’ horses passed the second-day tests. The final all-important 50 km of the last day of the race was then their ultimate hurdle.
Day three brought some challenges! Buddy had developed a strain in a front leg. In the morning, he was obviously lame. Angus’ back team of father, brother, cousin and fellow Weston student and experienced enduro rider Robert Winter played an important role in ensuring that Angus and Buddy could compete on the last day. A lot of rubbing and alternating hot and cold treatment for the horse enabled Buddy to be fit at departure time. Both boys left on the last day with high hopes to for a good finish to the day. However, at the final vet check after completing 201 km James’ mount Blaize’s pulse did not drop quickly. Once again, the back-up group including the Patersons had to use a lot of water to cool him and when presented to the vet for the all-important inspection he was allowed to proceed. Angus and James had completed one of the toughest endurance races in the world on barefoot horses where many shod horses had failed. A remarkable achievement as only 56 percent of the 380 entrants completed the race this year! This was testament to good horsemanship and exceptional riding by James and Angus. James and Blaize completed the 201km race in 13h 58 at an average speed of 14.39 km per hour and Angus and Buddy in 13h 41 at 14.69 km per hour. Their fine performance was a valuable contribution to the KZN young rider team finishing 5th in their category.