St. Patrick’s Coast Ride: Entries opening soon
Don't miss your opportunity to be involved with this unique Endurance Ride 2024
St. Patrick’s Coast Ride is the Irish Long Distance Riding Association (ILDRA)’s flagship event and 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 Saturday, September 7 and entries will be opening soon to both ILDRA members and non-members. The ride starts and finishes at Downpatrick Racecourse, which offers excellent facilities with the option to camp and stable your horse. However, please remember that all horses and ponies must be fully vaccinated to access the racecourse. No vaccination, no entry.
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Offering pleasure rides (PRs), vetted pleasure rides (VPRs) and competitive trail rides (CTRs), there is something on offer for every rider and horse, whether you are a happy hacker, dressage diva or show jumping sensation. There is also 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.
This ride has a taste of everything. 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 (32 km) option, they begin to descend towards the endless beaches of Tyrella to Ballykinler, which are shadowed by the impressive 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 opt for the 10-mile (16 km) option, following on 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 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 returning onto the racecourse itself for a final gallop (and a perfect photo finish past the post!).
St. Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride doesn’t end with just the ride, there is also the annual Farmer’s and Prize giving dinner on the Saturday night, with catering being supplied by Rosemount Cottage Farm Meats, tickets are available when booking your ride entry. 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; Annaghmore Saddlery, Doagh Equestrian, Tayto, Premier Equine, KCD Crafts, Chris Ewing Trailer Repairs, Kingsfield Haylage, TRI Equestrian, Brookhill Horse Holiday Livery, Bailey’s Horse Feeds, Botanica, On the Hoof, Downpatrick Racecourse, Performance Equestrian and the British Horse Society.
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, including replacing one of the bridges on part of the route! The annual beach clean at Tyrella takes place this coming weekend, on Saturday, August 3 - please come along if you can, your help is greatly appreciated.
If you are able to help to get the route ready, please make contact via the St. Patrick’s Coast Ride Facebook page for details of where to meet. If you have a strimmer, please bring it with you! Your assistance would be much appreciated. 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. Helpers will be well-fed throughout the day!
