Alpujarra horsewoman’s 30km Endurance ‘Raid’ attracts top Andalusian rider and raises funds for Acompalia

Alpujarra horsewoman, Amanda Gibbs, has led a dedicated team to create a new event in the region’s equestrian calendar, whilst helping to raise over €700 for Granada-based hospice charity Acompalia.

A ‘Raid’ is a competitive endurance for horses, with time limits. Teams incur penalties for going too slow or too fast, or if a horse fails the vet’s fitness check. The winning criteria are the health, fitness and condition of the horse and the successful partnership of horse and rider.

Amanda sent in a vivid report about the event:
“With ten riders and one runner from six nationalities this was a truly international event. Even the judges were from three different countries. On home ground however, was Andalusian Champion Floren Agustin Pedrueta with Emin, his beautiful Jordanian Arab.

With just thirty minutes to the `off´ the farrier was needed, a horse went lame, a horse box´s tyre blew and a rider’s van caught fire! But everyone started on time and only the lame horse was affected, remaining at home with an old donkey friend.

The overcast, cool weather was perfect for competitors and horses. With the limited rains this winter the going was hard. But with most of the 35km course being off-tarmac on excellent (though steep) piste it was ideal for the horses.

At the midway point the horses face the Cerro Jon climb, which is about 5km rising over 500m in altitude. This is a serious test for the horses especially as many were trotting or cantering to the top. But by the time they reached the compulsory break point at Cuatro Vientos Bodega the judges commented on what good condition they were all in. The riders could also take a break with a glass of wine or water overlooking the Mediterranean on one side and the high Sierras on the other.

Not surprisingly Floren Agustin Pedrueta, riding Emin, was the overall Champion, closely followed by his young daughter Mafalda Agustin Jimenez riding Safana. There were two other juniors competing, one just nine years old.

The event’s only two-footed competitor, runner Ian Burton, finished the event in just under six and a quarter hours, vowing never to run the Cerro Jon climb again (even if there is a chance of finding the lost gold of the Moors at its peak)!

All the competitors came safely home, with their horses fit, tired and well. In fact, the judges commended the riders on the fitness and condition of their mounts and the animals’ perfect behaviour.

All that was left was the typical Alpujarreño after-party when more than a hundred locals enjoyed great food, good Contraviesa wine and danced to DJ Looneytoons & DJ Stonewall till the early hours.”

For more information about fundraising events for Acompalia, please visit the website at: www.acompalia.org.

For more information about Acompalia’s palliative care work and vision, please contact the charity’s President, Lindsay Ostervig on intercambio@lostinspain.com or call her on: +34 664 776 251

For further details about Amanda Gibbs’s work with horses, please call:
Amanda Gibbs of Equus Alpujarra on: 662 300 293, or email her at ajsombra3@gmail.com