St. Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride 2019: The Emerald Jewel of Endurance and Pleasure Riding in Ireland.
Horse riders from County Down and far beyond will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting endurance event along the beautiful St Patrick’s Coast.
The most eagerly anticipated equestrian event of the year is coming up soon and is eagerly anticipated by many people across the equestrian world.
The annual St. Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride is the perfect horse-riding event whether you are an avid eventer, dressage diva or someone who enjoys exploring the glorious countryside on horseback.
Now in its sixth year, this event hosted by the Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA) has become established as Ireland’s premier endurance event offering stunning off-road riding in the scenic County Down landscape.
On Saturday 7th September the ride will commence at Downpatrick racecourse which offers ample parking and onsite toilets. The ride meanders across the rolling drumlins of County Down through numerous fields taking in breathtaking views before reaching the East Down Gallops. From here you’ll descend towards the endless sandy beaches of Tyrella, perfect for a racing gallop or two.
The breath-taking Mourne Mountains are a perfect backdrop across this scenic ride as you head back along through further fields and grassy laneways for a jaunt along the old County Down railway line before a shaded hack through the peaceful Hollymount Forest. A final stretch across an open field leads back towards Downpatrick racecourse with the perfect opportunity for a galloping finish past the post and a photography opportunity.
Several ride options exist, including a 16km (10 miles) and a 32km (20 miles) pleasure ride routes alongside several Competitive Trail Rides (CTRs) and Endurance Race (ERs) distances.
Please note that all major road crossings are stewarded and please obey their directions regarding when it is safe to cross.
On arrival at Downpatrick racecourse, head to the ride office to pick up your rider pack and sign in. Your rider pack contains a map, ride information, your numbered bib along with some fabulous goodies from our generous sponsors! On completion of your ride, head back into the ride office to sign back in, return your bib and receive your gorgeous rosette as a memento of your completion of the 2019 St. Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride.
On return, you have half an hour to cool your horse down and allow them to relax before presenting to the vets again for a final heart rate and trot up. You never know, your horse could be an endurance star in the making! There will be plenty of help on the day to guide you through the process. Be sure to tick the box when you are making your online entry to state that you want to enter into the trophy award and be sure to book your BBQ and prize-giving tickets in case you do receive an award.
The venue of Downpatrick Racecourse offers several facilities, including the option to stable your horse at an additional cost alongside the option to camp onsite. If you’re travelling a distance to attend, why not take advantage of a horsey night out, stable your horse and come and enjoy the meal being hosted on the evening of the ride, this is kindly provided by Murphy’s Bar and Restaurant
This is a great opportunity to get a group of friends together and enjoy a great ride through St Patrick’s country.
A new class has been introduced for the pleasure riders taking part in St. Patrick’s Coast in the form of a team event. Simply come up with a creative team name, gather up 3 or 4 friends and enter whatever distance you fancy! If you fancy taking part but can’t quite convince any friends to take the plunge, simply enter your team name as ‘Open Team’ and you will be assigned to others in the same position. To compete in this class, riders must present their horses untacked to the vets before and after the rides to take part in a simple endurance vetting to take your horse’s heart rates, please also ensure your start and finish times are recorded by the official timekeepers as you enter and leave the racecourse.
For 2019, St. Patrick’s Coast is hosting the ILDRA National Championships with a range of fabulous prizes and rosettes available for CTR and ER riders taking part in this annual event and has been the training programme of many regular endurance riders. A range of distances are suitable for every horse and rider combination. Please note that unlike ILDRA’s other pleasure ride events hosted throughout the year, your entry for St. Patrick’s Coast must be made in advance and online. Entries are limited so be quick to book your place.
More information and entries can be made at the Facebook page or website for St. Patrick’s Coast: www.stpatrickscoast.com
https://www.event-pal.com/onlineEntries/.
St. Patrick’s Coast has been an FEI international endurance event as well as hosting the annual Home Internationals and Celtic Challenge playing host to teams of endurance riders from England, Scotland and Wales. All of those who have ridden at the event are all mesmerised by the beauty of the ride and many riders chose to return to St. Patrick’s Coast year on year to what is simply the best ride offered in Ireland, so what are you waiting for? Get your entry in and enjoy a brilliant day out with your horse!
