Original Story Published by: Staff Writer for Sport24
Photo Source: Sport24
Cape Town - Young UK-based rider Rosie Riall triumphed in the second-ever Race the Wild Coast endurance horse race, crossing the finish line at the Kei Mouth ahead of 13 other international competitors.
Race the Wild Coast, which is sponsored by international apparel brand KTC and supported by Striped Horse craft beer, is a new breed of long-distance horse racing set along the aptly named Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The race was organised by South African company Rockethorse Racing, which launched its first event in 2016. This complex, multi-stage race covers 350km of untamed wilderness and includes river and estuary crossings, narrow cliff-top tracks, rocky paths, beach runs, and often adverse weather conditions - earning it the moniker of “the wildest horse race in the world”. From a technical perspective, it is certainly one of the most challenging endurance races in existence.
Says race organizer and co-founder Barry Armitage of Rockethorse Racing:
“This year’s race was certainly tough and it’s an achievement just to finish. We congratulate all our riders who traversed the rugged paradise that is South Africa’s Wild Coast. And we take our racing cap off to the winner. It was a tight finish, but Rosie pipped her mate Anna Boden to the line due to strategy, determination, sheer grit and excellent horsemanship!”
For the first time in the race’s history, other intrepid adventure sports enthusiasts from different disciplines were welcomed onto the field. Legendary endurance trail runner Steve Black and adventure canoeist Clyde Barendse pitted their skills against those of the riders and raced the horses to the finish line, with Black running the trail and Barendse paddling across rivers and breakers. Future editions of the event will see other forms of endurance sport such as Mountain Biking also included in Race the Wild Coast.
To read the full article, visit Sport24.
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