St Patrick’s Coast Ride 2025: entries opening
Emerald Jewel of Endurance Riding returns on Sunday, August 31
St Patrick’s Coast Ride is the Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA)'s flagship event and is returning for 2025 for its 10th anniversary event. Often described as the ‘emerald jewel of endurance riding’, the event is unique on the island of Ireland in so many ways… It is one ride that is not to be missed!
This year’s ride is being held on Sunday, August 31, with entries opening to ILDRA members on August 1, 2025 and to non-members on August 8, 2025 - keep an eye on St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride’s official Facebook page and website.
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The ride starts and finishes at Downpatrick Racecourse, which offers excellent facilities, along with the option to camp, as well as stable your horse. However, please remember that all horses and ponies must be fully vaccinated to access the racecourse. No vaccination, no entry.
Offering pleasure rides (PRs), vetted pleasure rides (VPRs) and competitive trail rides (CTRs), there is something on offer for ever rider and horse whether you are a happy hacker, dressage diva or show jumping sensation. There is also the return of the hotly-anticipated Team Vetted Pleasure Riding Competition, with riders entering in groups of three or four for a chance to win some excellent prizes, as well as trying to come up with the best team name!
If you’ve never tried endurance before or taken part in a vetted ride, there is plenty of help and guidance available on the day to help guide you through a vetting, simply present with your horse before and after your ride untacked to the vets - you’ll gain valuable insight into your horse’s fitness.
The St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride crosses a wide variety of countryside in the scenic landscape of County Down, as well as a variety of distance options. With over 40 landowners and farmers involved in allowing the ride to cross their land, the diversity of scenery on the route is unparalleled.
All riders firstly head out towards the East Down gallops, which gives many horses a chance to stretch their legs at a galloping pace. For riders choosing to head for the 20-mile (32km) option, they begin to descend towards the endless sandy beaches of Tyrella to Ballykinler, all whilst taking in the impressive views of the Mourne Mountains, before riding back up towards the historic Old Railway line of County Down.
Riders then pass by the peaceful Ballydugan Lake (spot the medieval village!) to join the grassy fields of Ballydugan and the ancient Windmill Hill, which are the hidden gems of the County Down countryside often unseen.
For the riders who opted for the 10-mile (16km) option, following on from the East Down gallops, they meander back towards the racecourse following a different route across stubble and grassland fields before returning to the racecourse and crossing over towards the Ballydugan Estate and head to the woodland area of the secluded Hollymount Forest Park and its shaded forest tracks. Riders then cross the County Down railway line through grassy fields perfect for a warm-up canter before the riders return onto the racecourse itself for a final gallop (and a perfect photo finish past the post!).
Don’t forget to stop by Rosemount Cottage Farm Meats to grab delicious farm-to-fork food after your ride and browse the excellent photos captured on the day by the official photographer.
St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride doesn’t end with just the ride, there is also the annual Farmers’ and Prize giving dinner on the Sunday night, with catering being supplied by Brian and Sara Clingan with a delicious hog roast. Tickets are available when booking your ride entry, why not bring your friends and family to enjoy some excellent food. Given that the 2025 ride is the 10th St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride, a special celebration with cake is on the cards!
It is great ‘craic’ and a good way to say thank you to the farmers, landowners and stewards! Thanks also go to the sponsors (both new and returning!) of St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride, who provide prizes and goodies for riders in their rider packs; Judy Maxwell and Baileys Horse Feeds, TRI Equestrian, Chris Ewing Trailer Servicing and Repairs, Brookhill Horse Holidays, Kingsfield Haylage, Glebe Equine, British Horse Society, Downpatrick Racecourse, Botanica, Annaghmore Saddlery, Premier Saddlery, PSNI Operation Gallop and On the Hoof.
A lot of hard work goes into this ride. A team of volunteers have been out over the past couple of weeks preparing the route, a big push to help clear the route takes place the weekend of August 9-10 - if you can help out, please contact either ILDRA’s Facebook page or St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride’s Facebook page for further information, your help will be greatly appreciated. If you have a strimmer, please bring it with you!
Don’t forget to encourage any friends or family members who aren’t riding and would be able to help with the ride on the day to get in contact with St Patrick’s Coast or ILDRA’s Facebook pages, their help would be greatly appreciated as there are several road crossings, which need manned to ensure all riders and horses have a safe ride, as well as a variety of roles around the venue of Downpatrick Racecourse to help the ride run smoothly. They will be well-fed throughout the day!