Royal Windsor Endurance ride route bound for Ascot Racecourse

Ascot, England: The 120km route of the inaugural Royal Windsor Endurance CEI two star ride being held in association with and presented by the Royal Windsor Horse Show is set to take in a circuit of Ascot’s famous racecourse.

Not only will the 60 riders participating in the newly introduced event on May 8 – 12 get the opportunity to tackle a route around Windsor Great Park, they will have the thrill of completing a single circuit around the National Hunt section of the racecourse.

The Ascot stage of the ride will take place early in the race as later in the day it will be business as usual at the racecourse as it hosts a Flat race meeting that evening.

Achieving speeds of between 14-22km per hour, the endurance riders will complete the 120km route in four separate sections with riders returning to a single vetgate on the Review Ground for inspection by the team of international vets and judges. More than 90% of the course will be off-road. Several historic rides in the Great Park have been opened for the event including the Long Walk which it will cross.

Endurance competitors will also be given the unique opportunity to ride up to and circuit the equestrian statue of HM Queen Elizabeth II, situated on the highest point of Queen Anne’s Ride. The sculpture, a Golden Jubilee gift from the Crown Estate, stands 12ft 6in tall on a 10 foot plinth and will be one of the focal points on the final loop of the event.

Continuing a tradition of association with international endurance competition, this event is generously supported by The Kingdom of Bahrain, who recently sponsored the FEI 2011 European Open Endurance Championship in Florac, France.

Royal Windsor Endurance Director Mike Shephard said: “The route around the Great Park and across to Ascot covers a surprising variety of terrain from parkland to woodland tracks where the going will be softer.

“There are some sandy sections and gentle inclines. Although there are some open straight sections, parts of the course are quite twisty and technical and will require horses to be well balanced. We are grateful to the team at Ascot Racecourse for allowing us access. The prospect of 60 horses on the circuit will be a thrilling spectacle and it will be without doubt a memorable experience for the riders.”

Nick Smith, Head of Communications at Ascot Racecourse said: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Royal Windsor Horse Show to host part of the endurance race at the racecourse for the first time.

“So many supporters of endurance riding are also among racing’s biggest patrons – including important Middle East-based racehorse owners and it is great to welcome the participants to ride at Ascot this year.

It is a great opportunity to be able to showcase a sport where, like horse racing, supreme equine athleticism, albeit for endurance rather than speed, is paramount.”