Over 50 riders gathered on the 1st of April, a typical mixed weather spring day, at Thorsby park to compete in the various Er classes and 60km set speed ride. Twenty six riders set of in the 80km FEI2* class at 9.00, including myself and Dougal followed 6 minutes latter by the 4 entrants in the 80km YR FEI2* class and then a further 10 minutes latter by the 9 entrants in the 80km national class. 

Set over forestry tracks and within Thorseby Park, the good going offered by this course allows for fast ride times, so it was no surprise to see the first riders returning from the first 30km loop after an hour and and forty minutes. Dougal and I were in this group of riders having started sensibly and worked our way up the field. Also in this group of riders were Trica Hirst, Georgina Hirst and Bill Smith. Dougal took what appears to be his normal time to present 11 minutes, and passed the vetting with an initial heart rate of 64. Though we were asked to trot up twice, the trot ups were not the smoothest, I was as I ran along side. 

The second 30 km loop was completed by the front runners in a similar time despite the torrential down pour towards the end of the circuit. Dougal and I were running in second place during much of this lap riding with Margaret Mckiddie on Bonnie Anne, entered in the national class, Trica and Georgina and Bill Smith. Unfortunately not long before the second crew point Dougal slipped but recovered, however about 15 minutes latter he started moving crabbily behind. So I slowed down, I had Steve check his feet for stones but nothing was evident. I carried on but was not convinced all was well, though he did keep offering to canter on the grass. We finished the loop but Dougal's heart rate did not appear to be dropping as it normally does, indicating to me even if we passed the vet it may not be a good idea to carry on as all was not well. At the vetting we were asked to retrot as the vet thought we wee lame on the left hind. we then had to stand around for about 10 minutes till three vets were available at which point I turned Dougal to the left and he hobbled round as he had stiffened up. I was asked not to trot thankfully, so we started the season with mixed results. This has since been diagnosed as a pulled muscle in his neck. 

The last loop of the 2* FEI ride saw a racing finish between Georgina Hirst riding Valac Aba, in his first ER and Emma Owen riding Bas El Emer, with Georgina just piping Emma and also taking the best condition award. The YR2* FEI class gave a win for Rachel Rogerson on Gryphon, the only finisher when Amy Bout and Widget were unfortunately eliminated at the final vetting. The national 80km class saw another racing finish this time between Helen Barret and Jill Kent, with Helen just beating Jill to the post at an average speed of 19.7kph. I would just like to add a thank you to all of those involved in organising this event and the land owners without whose permission this event could not take place.

Below are my heart rate monitor GPS readings from this ride.