Alan Brown - President
| Like many people Alan found his way into Endurance Riding by crewing for his 13 year old daughter in 1982/83. Working at, and helping to organise the Monks Kirby Ride soon followed, as did timekeeping at various events. Involvement in organising grew, leading ultimately to the first Cirencester Ride in 1988 followed shortly after by the Vyrnwy and White Rose Rides. Duties in this field have been many and varied, ranging from organising and managing the first Vet Gate at the European Championships at Southall and involvement in the inaugural Young Riders European Championship at Cirencester. In the days of BERA Alan served for many years on the committee of the Midland Region and was Chairman for several of these. He also served as Midland Region Director on the BERA Board of Directors, responsible for the Midlands and Wales. In this role he was a member of the Rides and Rules and International Committees. Since the creation of EGB Alan has continued to be very involved with the Cirencester Ride, the Heart of England committee and stewarding at various events. |
Julie Neale - Trophy Secretary
| Julie started endurance riding back in the early 90В’s together with her husband Eddie and their horses Aladdin and Silver Lady becoming Gold Series (advanced) in 1995; no mean feat as Aladdin was then 21 and a rescue horse & Lady, a 14 hand native pony (both still going strong & enjoying their retirements). They bought Kiwi (Grey Salix) a pure bred Arab as a 2 year old and Julie took him through to become advanced in 1999. Apart from riding Julie has crewed all over the world. The most exciting event for her was to crew her cousin at the Quilty in Australia in 2006 |
Diane Latham - Chairman Contact Diane@endurancehorseriding.co.uk | |
Marian Drew - Treasurer
| Marian became involved in Endurance twelve years ago on her chestnut part-bred Arab Whitford Golden Harvest(Tufty). Together they have enjoyed over 1000 successful miles including several team events, E.R's and the Golden Horseshoe Ride. Tufty is 25 years old now and although he is as keen as ever Marian no longer does competitive rides on him. She is very lucky to have Burnished Pearl, a chestnut Crabbet Arab mare and they have just completed their first competitive year together. Marian says that Pearl is a dream to ride and they plan to have a great future together. Additionally, Marian has crewed for many friends over the years and has crewed abroad with the International teams on three occasions. |
Steve Bates - Health & Safety Officer
| Steven was a member of the British Horse Society and owned a dales type pony. The Society had a section that was to become known as the Endurance Riding Group (ERG) but ponies were not allowed to compete. A couple of years later in 1975 he owned his first horse, an anglo-arab (Paddys Blaze), and his introduction to endurance riding began. That was a 40 mile Golden Horseshoe Qualifier in the Chiltern Hills which he rode wearing a black show jacket, complete with shirt, tie and long boots (it was a BHS event!). Despite a boiling hot day they qualified but a subsequent injury meant that he went to the В“shoeВ” on a reconnaissance mission instead of riding. Steven ended up helping a lady who was competing and she achieved Gold status. Of course what he was doing is now called crewing but things were very formal then and you tended to wave to your rider instead of throwing water over them! Two years on and with a different horse (Heidi) Steven returned to Exmoor. This time a track suit top had replaced the black jacket but the long boots remained. We achieved Gold which was the pinnacle of his riding career В– Steven jokes that it has been down hill since then! In the mid 1980В’s work took over and although remaining a member of ERG it wasnВ’t until 1993 that he returned to competition with Kassie. She has carried Stevem far and wide giving him so much enjoyment over the years. Kassie is now in foal - the excitement and nail biting continues. Steven has served on various committees over the years and he is currently the Health & Safety Officer for the Heart of England Group. Ride organiser, transport manager and ride programme producer at The Young European Championships and BERA newsletter editor has also featured amongst many roles undertaken. |
John Latham - Group Liason Officer
| You will find John around and about during the year acting as TS or helping generally at Heart of England rides and events. You will find him particularly active at the Cirencester Park Ride, for which he is on the Organising Committee, organising the water points and crewing areas. He is also currently the Groups Liaison Officer for Heart of England. John no longer rides due to a knee injury and subsequent surgery. He is married to Di and together they have had tremendous fun in endurance over the past 18 years with several horses, securing life long friendships along the way. John has always given unwavering support to Di as her number one crew and mentor and continues to give tirelessly to the sport. |
Christine Liggins - PR and Mambership Contact - Christine@endurancehorseriding.co.uk
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Sally Farrall - Secretary
| Sally was introduced to endurance in the mid 1990s by her mum-in-law, Helen Farrall, who gave her the ride on her gold-standard mare, Shiskine, and she quickly became addicted! She owns and competes at advanced level on her pure bred haflinger, Oxnead Wheatear ("Wheat"). They have previously been Heart of England Novice and Open Champions and last year were placed 2nd in the Heart of England Senior Championship and 42nd in the national senior championship. Sadly, Wheat having got wind of Sally's plans to finish much higher up in the championship in 2011 and to take part in the 160km at Golden Horseshoe, chose instead to stand on a nail and put himself out of action for most, if not all, of the 2011 season. Sally is nevertheless managing to have a lovely time competing on a friend's horses whilst she waits for Wheat to mend. Sally works as a solicitor in Birmingham and has two children, Jamie aged 6 and Anna aged 2. |
Victoria Smith - Website & Newsletter Contact - Vikki@endurancehorseriding.co.uk
| Victoria started endurance riding in 1998 on Helen Blair’s Haflingers and continued on her own part bred Arab Sasha. After a break in the mid 2000’s due to university and entering the working world Victoria re-joined EGB in 2010 competing on her own Haflinger Chevin Wardour (Widget – pictured). After he so enthusiastically took to the sport in his first competitive season in 2010 they are now aiming to reach Advanced level this season and complete some higher distance multi-day rides. Victoria also has a 3 year old part bred Arab Shah Storm who she hopes to bring into the sport over the next few years. |
| Helen Blair - Vice Chairman | |
