Lavenham Endurance

Lavenham National Results 🌿🐴

One of the UK's leading endurance rides delivered another fantastic weekend of competition, with riders tackling distances from 20km to 160km across Suffolk's beautiful grass margins and quiet country lanes.

A huge congratulations to our 80km CER and 60km CER competitors, both achieving an impressive 100% completion rate. Even more exciting, both classes were decided by just one second between first and second place!

In the 80km CER, Beth Langley-Pascoe and HS Estella took victory by the narrowest of margins from Jenny Newby and Nicsar Diamond Jubilee, while Nicola George and Fionn Akhdhar completed the podium on their first competitive endurance ride together.

The Newmarket contingent dominated the 80km GER. Italian rider Beatrice Milanesio, who has lived in the UK and been an Endurance GB member for many years, claimed victory with Kador D'Alauze. Fellow Newmarket rider Alicia Reeves, who works riding racehorses, finished second with Galactic Girl.

The 60km CER provided another thrilling finish, with Janice Cockley-Adams and HS Echo edging Emma Pleasance and Florence by just one second. Echo seems to be enjoying his season, adding another win to an already impressive campaign.

A special mention goes to Claire Critchison, who travelled from the Isle of Wight to win the 80km GER 2 Day aboard her Welsh Cob, Rozzamar Reward.

In the 60km GER, Millie Robertson and her 18-year-old mare Caramel Cupcake Surprise not only took the win but also earned the coveted Vets' Choice Award – the horse the vets would most like to take home.

It was also lovely to see our 2025 Supreme Champion Horse, Nightfire Hallelujah Louis, back out competing with owner Julie Martin in the 60km GER 2 Day.

Meanwhile, Pascha Moon continued an exciting start to her endurance career, winning the 40km Novice GER on just her third competitive ride.

Sunday may have been quieter, but it was no less enjoyable. Congratulations to Janice Morton and her skewbald partner Inde on their 40km GER win, and to Naomi Leicester and Irish Sport Horse Cordoolagh Lad, who topped the 30km GER.

Thank you to organisers Lauren Hirst and Anna Bridges, the Iceni team, officials, vets and volunteers for delivering another superb edition of Lavenham Endurance. 👏

Well done to everyone 👏

A podium finish in your first ever competitive endurance ride? Not a bad way to start. 👏

Huge congratulations to Nicola George and Fionn Akhdhar, who finished 3rd in the 80km CER at Lavenham on Saturday 13th June, completing at an average speed of 12.85kmph.

Based just outside Buckingham, Nicola has been involved in endurance since 2017, but this was the first competitive ride for her and 12-year-old bay gelding Fionn, owned by Nicholas Tweedie-Smith.

And what a journey this partnership has already had.

“Fionn was a challenge in the beginning because he was nervous about being ridden, and I’m a nervous rider, so not the best combination,” said Nicola. “But now we’ve learnt to look after each other — only one of us can be a wimp at a time!”

Fionn only started endurance with Nicola in 2024, and hacking has been the turning point.

“It helped Fionn go from putting up with being ridden for cuddles, to being the first to volunteer to be ridden, even if he has already worked that day. He loves his adventures now.”

Nicola chose Lavenham because the pair had completed their first solo EGB ride there last year and she knew it would give them a positive experience, with good going and well-marked routes.

Her goal was simple: get round, have a happy Fionn and build on their previous 80km experience.

They did that — and more.

“We achieved my goals and more,” said Nicola. “Fionn even went through the water, which he is always wary of, and led other horses through.”

Despite the early start, long day and busy atmosphere, Fionn took everything in his stride.

“He loves his job and felt fantastic out on course — he wanted to go faster,” Nicola said. “In the vet gates and hold he is a super chilled boy. Give him food and cuddles and he is happy.

“I was very nervous, but he held my hand the whole way through and kept going all day.”

For Nicola, endurance is about far more than competition. It is the partnership, the countryside, the freedom and the community.

“I’ve never met a sport where everyone helps each other out so they can be their best, even when they’re competing in the same class,” she said.

And her advice to anyone thinking of giving endurance a go?

“If you love exploring the countryside with your best friend and having a deep relationship with your horse, give endurance a go. That’s all you need.”

Well done Nicola and Fionn — best friends, partners in crime, and now podium finishers too. 💚

📸IndiePics

🌟 From first competitive start to 80km CER winner 🌟

Huge congratulations to Beth Langley-Pascoe and HS Estella, known at home as Estrid, winners of the 80km CER at Lavenham on Saturday 13th June.

The pair completed the course at an average speed of 16.86kmph, crossing the line just one second ahead of Jenny Newby and Nicsar Diamond Jubilee after the two combinations had ridden the full 80km together.

For Beth, who has represented Great Britain during a long and successful endurance career, this was a particularly special result. Not only was it Beth’s first race since 2018, it was also Estrid’s first ever competitive endurance ride.

Beth has owned the 10-year-old mare for five years, having bought her from the same stud as Tissy, her previous team horse.

“Estrid is very sensitive, easily overwhelmed and wears her heart on her sleeve,” said Beth. “She’s taken longer to get to where she is than most horses, but when you put a saddle on she’s good as gold and an absolute pleasure to ride.”

Beth chose Lavenham carefully, knowing the well-run venue, clear marking and busy vet gate environment would suit Estrid and help give her a positive first experience.

“The main goal is always positive experience first, competitive edge second, no matter what,” said Beth. “I always try to just ride my own ride plan and if that gets me a good placing, great. If it doesn’t, I’ve ridden in a way that’s best for my horse and the conditions on the day.”

Beth and Jenny discussed the finish around 7km from home and decided that, with a downhill slope towards a road, a flat-out race was not the right choice for horses with bigger long-term goals.

“Our goals for our horses are so much bigger than one placing in one race, so we decided to cross the line together,” Beth explained.

Estrid led for almost the entire 80km — a huge achievement for a mare who has not always been confident with horses behind her.

“She felt really strong and enthusiastic,” said Beth. “I was really proud of her attitude. I think she was mentally a little tired towards the end but physically she had gas in the tank!”

The icing on the cake? Estrid was also awarded Best Condition. 🏆

📸IndiePics Photography

Huge well done to Nicki Thorne for a fantastic result in the CEI120** after a challenging start. Not an easy completion, but a true display or grit and determination!

A well earned 4th place in the CEI2* 120km for Nikki Thorne and her homebred Akala Shaheen 👏

We are utterly delighted for Beth Endurance, it finally all came together for you!!