A horse who went missing during an endurance ride in Hampshire yesterday (16 June) has been found, apparently unharmed, nearly 24 hours later.
Organisers of the Endurance GB Three Rivers Ride had asked for help in finding the mare, who parted company with her rider during the 34km event near Martin Down Nature Reserve at about 11am.
The horse, a 10-year-old 14hh black mare, with a white star and a snip marking on her muzzle, was caught as she walked back into the parking area at Blagdon Hill, near where she went missing, today (Monday)
A spokesman for ride organisers said police and vets were made aware and a drone pilot had volunteered his services to help with the search.
“The horse went missing at 11am on Sunday after parting company with her rider who was unhurt but is naturally very distressed and has asked not to be named,” she said.
“We would like to thank everyone who joined the search yesterday.”
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The spokesman added that veterinary checks are being made to establish the mare’s condition, but that “early reports suggest she appears unharmed”.
It is the second time this year a horse has gone missing during an endurance ride in the UK. Basil De Mulo was found on 7 April, more than 24 hours after he parted company with his rider during the King’s Forest Spring Ride.
The 12-year-old grey gelding went on to “redeem himself” by completing Royal Windsor CEI* (80km) on 10 May, finishing in a respectable 19th place.
His owner Karen Greig said it was remarkable that the horse escaped uninjured from King’s Forest — he had found a reservoir and plenty of grass, so suffered no ill effects from his adventure.
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