Manoj wins first ever Endurance Ride in Tissamaharama

Bernard Perera

EQUESTRIAN SPORTS: The first ever Endurance Ride organized by the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association was conducted last Sunday in Tissamaharama. N. Manoj and Suresh Wijemal from the famous Nuwara Eliya fame took honours winning the top two slots on 'Siga' and 'Dancing Challenger', these two were followed by a young lady riderMariam Hamdoon on Mummal.

The top three riders clocked 2h 48m, 2h59m and 3h.10m respectively for the 40 kilo meter Ride. Thiloshini Abeysekera and veteran rider Suranjith Premadasa finished the course as fourth and fifth riders.

Four riders had to be disqualified by the judges as their horses were found unfit to continue with ride after the completion of the first 10 kilo meters.

After the first stage (10 km) the horses were tested for fitness to complete the event by specially qualified Veterinary Surgeons and Stewards. If found fit the riders are allowed to rest for half hour and set off again. The timings too is vital in deciding the winner in this competition.

Manoj 'Siga' and Suranjith 'Nabila' won the team championship while Mariam Hamdoon 'Mummal' and Thiloshini Abeysekera 'Chandra' took the second spot in the team event.The event was judged by Col.Sarpartap Singh who was specially flown from India alon with Prof.Rathore, who served as the Chief Veterinarian. They were assisted by a panel of local officials.

This was a ride to test the endurance of the horse and the rider's talent to handle the horse in a decent manner to cover long rides on its back.On Sunday the local horses were tested on a 40 kilo meter track which is not upto international standards. This organisers had to shorten the course as local riders and horses are facing the event for the first time here.

The track was a grvel surface where the rider had to concentrate more on it as one mishap which causes injury to horse could put them out of the event. It was only one rider who could not control his horse which saw the horse fall and sustained injuries resulting the disqualification of the horse and the rider.

There were 16 competitors who were set off from at 6.30 a.m. onwards.

The Association hopes to conduct these contests in other parts of the country in view of popularizing the sport among sports loving public. They also intend to have lengthy route so that the riders get an opportunity to improve their standard to reach international levels on this sport.oh