A Nottinghamshire endurance rider and her rescue horse have been named Reserve National Novice Champions at The Hoof Boot Shop National Championships.
Rachel Pemberton, 44, and 11-year-old Bransby Tarik secured the runner-up position at the event, held in Thetford Forest on Saturday 15 August.
The championships, organised by Endurance GB, brought together qualified horse-and-rider partnerships from across the country.
Rachel began endurance riding around 30 years ago in Blidworth on a loaned Arab-Connemara cross called George.
She met Tarik five years ago, when the 15.2-hand purebred Arabian was an unbacked six-year-old rescue horse.
At the time, Rachel was experiencing the effects of long Covid and was unable to drive or ride. She said Tarik played an important part in her recovery, leading her family to nickname him “The Covid Cure”.
Rachel said: “When I first saw Tarik five years ago, I immediately knew he was the horse for me.
“Cantering along the tracks at Thetford and realising what we had achieved together was incredibly emotional. To go from being so poorly to standing on a national podium with a horse I backed myself is something truly special.”
She described Tarik as a “cheeky, fun-loving” horse with plenty of personality.
The pair qualified for the championships through Endurance GB’s novice pathway.
Rachel said the forest route provided good conditions and praised the course marking, organisation and volunteers.
Following the championships, Tarik is taking a break from competition.
