Foremark Endurance ride - Estrid's first Vet gate - Vlog 231 - Beth Endurance

Who knew I'd get emotional over a 46km! For someone who's never done that distance it's an awesome achievement and getting emotional is totally cool, but for someone who that distance can be classed as a training ride (me) it's quite funny.
I took my time bringing Estrid back into work after we both hit the deck back at the start of March and she hadn't had the run up to the start of our competitive season that I wanted. I had planned to head out to lots of social rides, get her used to the venue atmosphere again and generally build her confidence. Instead we've spent 3 months by ourselves at home. So I wasn't sure what she was going to be like for vetting, never mind whether she would settle enough for a vet gate!
Estrid's heart rates are rarely under 55 when we're away from home, she's almost always stressed. But she's so brave because she tries so hard to internalise her anxiety and not do anything 'naughty'. So she may stand relatively still for vetting but I can physically see her heart racing in her chest, the tension in her neck and those eyes out on stalks. I'm hoping this will just improve with experience.
She gave me a wonderful ride. She was a bit spicy and chaotic for the first 10km and then she did go back to her old habit of not wanting to pass people and then just as you think she's on her way stopping dead in front of them (for anyone who experienced that I do apologise), but once she was actually in front away she went.
She was pretty singularly focused out on course if she saw another horse up front and keeping her pace steady was tricky as she just wanted to get to them. I can't fault her enthusiasm I just need to negotiate with her on the method. She's naturally pretty fast and has a big trot so our speed was perfect for what I wanted her to achieve, 13kph for the first loop and just over 14kph for the second.
She came into the vet gate a bit pumped as she didn't want to leave the horse we'd been riding with, but she did tolerate water being poured over her and after a few minutes she resigned herself to staying with her humans rather then seeking out her pony friends. It meant that we had a respectable but not ground-breaking 6minutes in to vet. We struggled in general with her heart rate at the vettings as unfortunately we'd go in with plenty of other horses milling around and out of pure coincidence mid way through our heart rate, all 3 times, all the horses would leave. So we started with 57, vet gated with 60 and finished with 58.
She ate really well and drank a little bit. Which is excellent progress for Estrid as she's usually too stressed to eat. She was good at the crew points, all be it a little eager to get back on the move. She didn't seem to even question going out on another loop, she even gave me that 'last loop' feeling heading out, the feeling that she's full of energy and keen to get back out there and your all fuzzy and proud and excited all at once, which I normally only get at the end of a race. So I'm super excited to see what her future holds.

[@julen2380]

Wow, Estrid did so incredibly well. Her disgust at the watered down cubes was hilarious and her go in the 2nd loop quite impressive. Hope you got your nice cup of tea and biscuits and rest time on the couch! Also yay for crewing Dan!

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 I was so proud of her, especially out on course! I ate a whole packet of biscuits 🙈 x

[@MaisietheGrey]

Aw well done that’s amazing! Such a lovely vlog x

[@carolehussey-je7nn]

Well done Estrid. Well done Beth. Well done Dan. So lovely to see you competing again. Very, very proud. Mam-gu xxxxxx

[@Kelly_Ben]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I actually got a little teary at your heartfelt and much deserved thank you to Dan. Your joy was palpable! She looked so good, and is learning her job like a champ! I hope you had a well earned wallow, and feel better.

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 I ate a whole packet of digestives 🙈😅 x

[@malloryalford9808]

Beth, I was teary eyed right with you at the end! I cannot explain how excited I am for you and Estrid! Seeing you aboard another pony with potential racing in your futures gives me the biggest smile ever! I've watched your channel for quite a while now, and you've taught me a ton about a sport in the equine world that I never knew much about. Thank you for continuously sharing your experiences with us, and CONGRADULATIONS to you and Estrid both for your successful ride! 💙💙💙

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 I'm so excited but also trying not to be excited 😆 x

[@francymarvel695]

Me too

[@ruthhamilton4882]

What a lovely day, great job 👏

[@marneymcgovern4285]

This was soooooo fun to watch! You have such a way with Astrid and such a calming voice💜. It has been just so hard to see your ups and downs so this was especially exciting to watch!!! Way to go, she is such a beautiful mover!! Dan, you rock😁

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 Dan definitely does rock 😎 x

[@MaggieintheRain]

Really love the vlog! Don't know anything about endurance riding so every video is educational 😊

[@susanvuturo4361]

Fantastic video! Educational and entertaining. So happy for you and so proud of Estrid! 🎉❤😊😊❤

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 x

[@clarionash]

Well done, so thrilled that you finally got out with the excitable Estrid and had a great ride! After injury and rehab I'm sure it was the best feeling to be taking her on those loops, the scenery looked very nice, too. She was so keen and energetic, will bu veey interesting to see how she rises to the challenge of the longer distances going forwards. And of course great job to Dan for crewing!

[@bethendurance]

I'm so excited to see how we get on with the longer ones. I predict vet gates will be our main issue 🙈 x

[@taniabanek350]

Huge congratulations Beth!!! Estrid looks totally AMAZING 🤩 I absolutely loved this video!!! Hope you’re feeling better soon ❤

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 x

[@gabijapagojute7437]

Had so much fun watching! Your channel is turning into one of my favorites for sure and Im always excited for your new video! Keep it up! 😍

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 x

[@susan_brehm_art]

Hurray!! Every time you were at the trailer or vetting I just kept remembering when you first got her. I hope you are as proud as you ought to be because you are doing such a great job!!

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 x

[@Siobhan_Shivaun]

Fab to see Estrid out competing, and so keen to get on with it when she was supposed to be having a drink! 💖

[@bethendurance]

We may have to work on negotiating actually using the crew spots 🤣 x

[@Siobhan_Shivaun]

@@bethendurance I'm imagining the crew running down the road behind her! 😂😂

[@murieldrewery8773]

Woohoo 🎉 well done Estrid, Beth and Dan, let’s remember the crew! I really enjoy your vlog on endurance. I appreciate your honesty on the progression of an endurance horse. Could you please do a vlog about how to deal with behaviours on the loop, such as speeding up, spooking, refusing to go in front or stopping dead? That would be very interesting 😊❤

[@bethendurance]

I'd love to do a Vlog on dealing with the tricky stuff on course but it's hard to get it on camera and deal with it at the same time 🙈😅 x

[@francymarvel695]

Congratulations!!!! ❤❤❤❤ You did amazing! She’s definitely ready for more distance. 13.2 average is blazing fast 🎉 Thank you for the video! Can’t wait to watch what you have going on next ❤❤❤

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 She is a pretty speedy one! X

[@helenfarlow4573]

I loved this vlog!!! Really really enjoyed following along with you, and I learned loads! Well done team!!

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 x

[@pixie706]

Tissy looks fantastic.Will she be doing any rides. Well done for Estrid's first time . Big hopes for this year❤

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 She will indeed 👍 got one a month lined up over summer 🤞x

[@Track2HackStandardbreds]

Hello from NZ, it’s so interesting to see how the longer rides work! I’m only muddling around 10-25kms with my thoroughbred but it’s a whole lot of fun, so much nicer and much more welcoming than the show jumping I came from 😅 Well done!! Haven’t followed the channel for long but looking forward to seeing more of it! 🤩❤️

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 excellent, well done! I hope you continue to enjoy it as you up the distance x

[@jodidewick6434]

Well done from Australia and a fellow endurance rider. It is so refreshing to see you put Estrid and her welfare first and foremost. Can you tell me more about your saddle please?

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 it's a reactor panel saddle x

[@alinadamari4373]

Yay well done team! I hope you were able to get home for some rest 😊

[@bethendurance]

Thank you 😊 I did! X

[@airmidbodyworks6467]

She looked great. The other will come.

[@user-mb5ei4nt3m]

Good for you Beth, back doing what you love, i was just wondering how you cope with Estrids seasons, i have three arab mares, and when in season all have attitude and are quite clear that they are not interested in anything i may want to do , and Tissy is looking fab!!!

[@bethendurance]

I haven't really had many issues with seasons, they are definitely different but I just adjust the training to suit but they've never had attitude or been uninterested, lucky I guess! X

[@nozee77]

Congrats to all of you! Estrid did so well! ❤ I am very curious about her breeding, would you mind to share her pedigree?

[@bethendurance]

She was bred by Halsdon Arabians, Sire: Alfabia Aragon, Dam: Expulsja x

[@nozee77]

@@bethendurance Wow!!! Wonderful pedigree, thanks for sharing! 💚 I almost bought a Halsdon mare about two years ago when they sold all their horses. Didn't happen unfortunately. Estrid is a very special horse for sure!

[@PersonalTriumph2022]

I am new to the channel. How tall is Estrid and what breed of Arab ? Gorgeous girl 🙏🧿

[@bethendurance]

She's 14.3hh and Polish I believe x