A WEST Devon farrier and rider were successful at the recent Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor.

Competitors from all over the country converge on Exmoor each year to take part in the presitigious ride, with classes ranging from 50 to 100 miles in a day.

Rebecca Townsend, from Bere Ferrers, who owns Tavistock Saddlery, completed the 80km class and her horse Zebedee won the coveted Farrier?s Award for best shod horse.

Zebedee had been shod by Lewdown farrier Steve Luxton, who was delighted with the award. He said the horses were examined by vets and farriers during the event to ensure their well-being and the shoes were judged by an experienced farrier.

Steve said: ?This year the going was very tough with hard and rough ground due to the dry weather.?

Steve has been shoeing horses locally for 30 years and is a qualified associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers ? which is the highest technical qualification for remedial farriers. He is also a field officer for farrier training services, helping with training across three counties.