RACHAEL Claridge and Blue Chip Silver Mistrahl moved closer to representing Great Britain at the World Endurance Championships in Dubai when they won the 160 Km FEI 3 star race at the Cirencester Park Festival.
Against a strong starting field of eleven horses at on Friday twenty-five-year-old Rachael worked her way into the lead to finish over two hours ahead of the two other finishers.
The pair averaged at 14.52 kmph across the day with 11 hours of riding time. With the excellent crew support of parents Jo and Pete Claridge, sister Amanda and boyfriend Mat Stanley, Mistrahl went from strength to strength, presenting to the veterinary panel within a few minutes of entering the hold area.
There was further excitement in the 120km FEI 2 star event when Ann Jobson from Padstow and her horse Samson won a racing finish. Nina Crocker from Alternun and Riversedge Nashit secured third place, with Karen Jones of Cullompton and Jo Chisholm from Lydford also completing the challenging course with Mellow Jazz and Khanspur.