Competitors at the Golden Horseshoe Ride over Exmoor (12-14 May) braved atrocious conditions.
Some riders had to hack up to four miles to reach the start because it was too wet to let lorries on to the venue.
“The weather was easily the worst we have had; constant rain turned it into a mud bath,” said organiser Barbara Wigley.
But the seven classes still produced many finishers, with two gold awards going to Sarah Takle and Sue Salmon in the 25km para invitation class.
In the 160km, the sole medal went to veteran David Yeoman on Marlouf De Norvavre. The only other finisher (of 10 starters) was 14-year-old Katie Mellor on Angelina Ginny — at 12.2hh, the smallest pony ever to have completed the class.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (23 May 2013)
