An epic 800 mile road trip (each way) stood between the 4 Strides Equestrian Barrel Racing Team and a shot at European glory at the NBHA France Finals & European Cup in Lyon, France.

Taking 7 riders and 6 horses overseas took a lot of meticulous planning to go alongside the training and fitness regimes for both horse and rider. 

With a large group of our own horses, it was an unforgettable experience and was a totally different way of life than flying out to a venue and jumping on a hired horse. We literally ate, slept and lived with our horses in France for the whole duration. 

The Equita Lyon event was at the enormous Euro Expo centre in Lyon, think of the NEC in Birmingham but twice as big ! 7 halls full of all types of equestrian disciplines, trade stands, food & drink and arenas for competitions. We were in the western hall 7 and the Texas Arena. 

On landing in France early Monday morning, we travelled down to Lyon and unpacked horses and equipment ready for a fresh start and a day of practice and training on Tuesday before the competion started on Wednesday. 

 

We were well represented in the competition categories with entries as follows : 

NBHA France Poles Pony - Ryleigh Perkins

NBHA France Novice Horse Poles - Sally Heron, Pippa Shearn

NBHA France Pony Barrels - Ryleigh Perkins, Eva Bell, Pippa Shearn

NBHA France Youth Barrels - Anna Turner

NBHA Open Barrels - Sally Heron, Greg Cooper

European Cup Poles Junior - Ryleigh Perkins

European Cup Junior Barrels - Eva Bell, Ryleigh Perkins, Pippa Shearn

European Cup Youth Barrels - Ann Turner

European Cup Open Barrels - Sally Heron, Luke Burridge

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The format was the NBHA competitions have 2 runs, one on the Wednesday and one on the Thursday. The best time of your two runs is taken for the final standings. Each day also has prize money for placings. The European Cup was slightly different, you have 3 runs in total and the best time from your 1st or 2nd run is added to the time of your 3rd run to generate the overall standings. A knocked barrel or pole is an elimination. 

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Wednesday & Thursday ran the same with NBHA Poles followed by NBHA Barrels. ​​

Prize money and prizes were obtained by all but 1 of the riders in the NBHA classes ! 

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For Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the attention was diverted to the European Cup. Again the prize money and awards were flowing each day for the 4 Strides Barrel Racing Team with Junior rider Ryleigh banking a lot on his pony Willow. 

Eva & Pippa (also juniors) also took their fair share as did Anna in th Youth. The prize money and placing was a bit harder to come by for Luke, Sally and Greg in the Open class with the larger amount of entries but up popped Luke Burridge with a 1st place in the 3rd division ! Well done Luke and to all the team. 

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Our 2025 plans are already being discussed and you could be with us ! 

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