HACK 1000 MILES
Every month our #Hack1000Miles challengers are in line to win some fantastic prizes. As a result, Marion Wills, Heather Emery and Kt English-Baillie win a hi-vis neck strip from Equisafety, while Hannah Leslie and Mandi Ackerman win stirrup straps, and Rebecca Coy a girth, all from Wintec Saddles. Congratulations!
June’s top story
Hannah Leslie took part in the Man v Horse race for the second time this year with her 15-year-old Knabstrupper cross, Kobi, and she reflects that he is lucky to be here.
“He was labelled as dangerous and I was told to put him down after I bought him. His previous owner was scared of him because he napped a lot,” says Northamptonshire-based Hannah. “I thought that if I could just hack him, it would work.”
It took her a year to get Kobi hacking out confidently, however, as Hannah broke her ankle and was restricted to taking him out in-hand for the first six months.
Fast forward seven years, and the pair has completed one of the trickiest long-distance competitions in the UK. The Man v Horse race, held in Powys, saw 52 horses and in excess of 1,000 runners start. Runners and riders take slightly different routes that converge at various points and boast separate finish lines.
“It was a really exciting, electric atmosphere. We trotted through the town centre to a hero’s welcome. Everyone was clapping and cheering for us,” recalls the 31-year-old senior care home assistant. “Kobi was the 17th horse to cross the line. I took it steady. I wanted to bring a sound horse home.”
June’s best photo
This gorgeous photo captures one of art teacher Marion Wills’ regular hacking routes. Here she is riding her 22-year-old Norwegian Fjord mare, Este, who she has owned for 10 years. “I lived in Norway for a few years, where I got to know the breed and fell in love with them,” says Marion, 59. “When I moved back to Scotland I knew that I wanted to have one.”
July’s top story
Rebecca Coy has been taking part in #Hack1000Miles for the last few years, and she is currently undertaking the challenge with her nine-year-old Connemara, Harper. The pair has recently also given Endurance GB pleasure rides a try with the thought of attempting some graded events next year.
“It’s been a massive learning curve, but I’ve loved every minute of it,” says Rebecca, who lives in Essex. “Harper loves it too. It’s a good community, which makes it easier.”
Training for long distance rides is something that Rebecca struggles with as she suffers from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also know as chronic fatigue syndrome.
“When I ride I��
