Local rider completes epic 100-mile challenge

VICTORIA Davies from Blidworth achieved a career milestone in August when she success fully completed the UK’s only one-day 100-mile endurance ride this year at Thetford Endurance.

Riding her 14-year-old gelding, Cumbria Showtyme, Victoria crossed the finish line in third place behind Emma Martin and Amie Grainger. Remarkably, all three riders rode the entire 160km route together, finishing on the same speed of 13.7kph – proving that in what is often thought to be an individual sport, teamwork can shine through.

Victoria, who first discovered endurance in the 1990s and has previously represented Great Britain as a Young Rider, described the achievement as “an incredible, humbling feeling.” She said: “The last loop was very emotional – riding a horse still so keen after all that distance was just incredible. When the officials told us we had passed, there were a lot of happy tears.”

This was Victoria and Showtyme’s first attempt at 100 miles in a single day. The 16hh part-bred Arabian, bought as a two-year-old from Cumbria Arabians Stud, is known at home for being both affectionate and quirky. Together, they have competed across disciplines since 2016, gradually building their endurance career to this pinnacle achievement. Endurance is a family tradition for Victoria