Hartpury Equine student Elsie May has been selected to represent Wales at the Endurance GB Home Internationals in Scotland this September.
The 17-year-old, from Herefordshire, will compete for Wales at the prestigious event in Perth from 4-6 September, riding her family’s homebred 11-year-old Arabian gelding, Ma'ase Bin Krayaan, known as Ma'ase.
The Home Internationals bring together teams from Wales, England and Scotland to compete across challenging endurance distances for the Home International Cup and Home International Trophy.
It will be Elsie’s third year representing Wales and another important step in her development as an endurance rider, with the event set to be only her second attempt at a longer distance.
Elsie said: “This is my third year representing Wales, and I absolutely love it! The team is so supportive, and the friendships we all share are incredible.
“Ma'ase is a fantastic partner who gives me his absolute all and really looks after me – even if he does occasionally spook at a shadow or refuse to move on country lanes until he gets a treat!
“My goal for the Home Internationals is simply to get around in one piece, riding to the conditions and looking after Ma'ase. This will be only my second go at a longer distance, and since my mum will be crewing rather than riding alongside me, I'll be doing all the map reading myself – fingers crossed!”
Elsie grew up in an endurance-riding family and began competing in the discipline in 2022, following in the footsteps of her mother, Amanda, who has competed since 2000.
Alongside her studies at Hartpury College, Elsie is a member of the Golden Valley Pony Club and trains from her family’s Arabian stud in Herefordshire.
Ma'ase was bred by Elsie’s family and moved into endurance following a brief spell in Arabian racing. Elsie prepares him for competition using local riding routes and trips to the gallops, supported by her mum and a wider team of equine professionals.
Endurance riding tests the fitness, stamina and partnership of horse and rider over long-distance routes, with horse welfare at the heart of the discipline. Horses undergo veterinary checks throughout competition and must be judged fit to continue before progressing.
Elsie added: “Ma'ase is normally my mum’s horse, but I’ve ‘stolen’ him for this event – and I might just have to keep him afterwards!”
We wish Elsie and Ma'ase the very best of luck as they represent Wales in Scotland.
