Endurance riding is becoming a popular sport and through local groups is encouraging more riders to try long-distance riding. As well as the enjoyment of taking part, members compete for trophies, awards and rosettes. Kilometres and points towards these awards are gained at rides throughout the season.

The North & East Yorkshire Group of Endurance GB held its awards ceremony at the Feathers Inn, Helmsley, recently.

Winner of the High Point Advanced Granat Amber Award was the newly-appointed group chairman, Tracey Thompson, with her pony Chrystal Joobar. This pairing also won the accolade of being the combination with most points and distance gained in endurance race rides in the group this season. Robert Blane and his gelding Ricco Esta Artisan were awarded the Hot Rod Trophy for gaining the most points in his first season of taking part in endurance rides.

The High Point Open award went to Nikki Brown and her gelding, Mr Pepper Pot, with Nikki also taking the Top Young Rider award. The accolade of Novice winner went to Jill Glover and her Peta Piper following on from their third place in the EGB Novice National Championship. The pairing also took the Going Solo Award, presented to the horse and rider combination in their first season of endurance.

The Desert Gold Award, presented to the combination with the most points gained from rides under 45km, was awarded to Liz Worthy and her Welsh Section D chestnut mare Llanfyllin Roseanne, who also took the Strider Tophy and the Autumn Pride award.

The Pogol’s Wood Trophy, for horses/ponies under 15hh, was awarded to Dulcie Robinson’s Morgan and mare Weylands Lutra. The Jenny Trophy, for horses of 15hh and over, was won by group secretary Lesley Owens and Harvey V.

Another stalwart of the sport, Gillian Hardwick and Bobby, who at the age of 24 has completed 5974 km in 13 years, won the Follifoot Veteran Award for horses/ponies over the age of 21. This is Bobby’s last season as Gillian has decided to retire him.

In the second year of the introduction of Endurance GB’s Associate Member Scheme, which gives riders a chance to try endurance before committing to the full package, Tanya More and Ka-Lu-San won the prize for gaining the most kilometres in this section. To encourage younger riders, the highest placed Pony Club member receives an award. For 2010, this was Tara Barker and her pony, Dagwood Saphire.