A Potted History of the Background to Three Rivers (by Liz Hinings)
In 1983 Valerie Cooper and Sue Varnals decided that, as the Infantry Saddle Club at Warminster was no longer able to host their local Golden Horseshoe Qualifier and other classes, they would look for an alternative venue in the area. I had been the Entries Secretary for the Saddle Club’s event and, although I had no knowledge of Endurance, they asked me if I would be willing to take on the job for them again if they were to find a venue. I thought about it for a bit and decided that, as they were probably unlikely to find a suitable venue, I would agree to do it - how wrong I was !!! So, in Spring 1984 we ran our first Wiltshire Droves Ride from Salisbury Racecourse - and we can all remember being absolutely thrilled that we had around 50 competitors for that first event (our current limit is 170 and we have often had to hold a waiting list!). The venue was a huge success with all facilities laid on, including some jockey accommodation and showers - but today’s smart appearance is a far cry from the way it looked in those days, as the picture of Sue Varnals standing in the yard’s gateway will show.
So, Wiltshire Droves was the start of the Salisbury rides in 1984 and then, in 1985, we decided to take the plunge and put on a second ride in the autumn - a gated ride, as they were called in those days - and Three Rivers was born - and the Hewett Challenge, our top class, was won by Jackie Taylor and Beltane Phoenix. The following year, in 1986 we were asked to host the first British Horse Society Long Distance Riding Group National Championship of a 100-mile ride in one day as our top class, and this continued at Salisbury for six years - you can see the archive results below.
We can’t remember exactly when it was that some of the yard was put down to tarmac, but it certainly made a difference and we have been using that as a trot-up area from the first year. All the fencing around the Paddock that we use as a Vet Gate Hold Area has been refurbished and looks very smart, and this year all the boxes have been upgraded and have been given smart new doors, and there is a wonderful rubber-floored area with horse ‘showers’ too! The jockey accommodation, too, has all been re-furnished and with hot and cold running water, flushing loos and showers for both men and women, it is all very smart.
We all have many memories of the past 23 years of Three Rivers, as the pictures below testify -
 Student Helpers Kevin Watts and Bridget Hinings 1988 |
some of those people and horses featured are no longer with us, but they have all played their part in one way or another in making Three Rivers a notable event on the Endurance calendar.
 Kevin and Bridget Watts and family 2003 |
 Alan Brown, Tony Pavord and David Freeman in 1986 |
 Valerie and Sue congratulate Claire Brown and Shireen Lailee on completing in 1986 |
 An early start for Chief Vet, the late John Yeats and Dr Kieran O'Brien |
 Our Trail Riders - always smiling despite the early hour |
 1993 was very wet and Liz had bedraggled bibs hanging in her garage for days |
 The Ford at Stratford Tony was very welcome in the heat of 1996 |
 Ten years on and David Freeman reads his newspaper at the Vet Gate |
 East Chase Vet Gate in 1996 - Anne Clark vet writing, with Larissa and Stuart Whiley |
 …and how would we manage without Gordon Butler and his RAYNET team? |
 Mary Grove fetches refreshments for the Timekeeper's team |
 The Timekeepers |
 Sarah Coombs, Pauline Higgs and Liz Green 1996 |
 Tony Pavord - having some down time! |
 Philip Rendell (Farrier) having a snooze |
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 Checking for low hanging branches! |
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There have been many changes since the early days, not only in the way riders prepare and crew their horses, but also in terms of the management of Endurance - but we are pleased (and amazed) to be able to say that although we are all looking somewhat older, the majority of the people who helped us run Three Rivers in 1985 are still helping us today!
RESULTS 2006 back to 1985
2006 – Hewett Challenge not contested for the past two years due to lack of entries – please make sure we have a competition this year!
Smokey Challenge
- Winner – Christine Yeoman and Farouk de Lozelle
- Runner-up – Alice Beet and Burfield Ruby Tricks
Opal Dash
- Jill Kent and Bitterwell Spirit
- Runner-up – Gill Talbot and Malabar Storm
The Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Sue Speed and 16 year old Yakamin
- Runner-up – Margaret McKiddie and 16 year old Bonnie Anne
2005 - Hewett Challenge not contested
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Katie Smith and El Carlia
- Runner-up - Christine Yeoman and Diyla
Opal Dash
- Winner - Jane Holdsworth and Haszar
- Runner-up - Nikki Malcolm and Celsar Baydahl
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Susan Speed and Yakamin
- Runner-up - Diane Barlow and Ali Ibn Dream
2004
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Nikki Malcolm and Celsar Baydahl
- Runner-up - Ann Jobson and Samson
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Kay Bond and Khudeir
- Runner-up - Rachel Bishop and Scarlet
Opal Dash
- Winner - Jane Patten and Spartacus II
- Runner-up - Paul Titcomb and Bright Spark
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Andrea Baker and Bozuk
- Runner-up - Diane Barlow and Ali Ibn Dream
2003
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Mary Korn and Dinmor Dougall
- Runner-up - John Hudson and Tigre
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Christine Yeoman and Dahmiah
- Runner-up - Nina Crocker and Riversedge Nashit
Opal Dash
- Winner - Joanne Carter and Autumn
- Runner-up - Wendy Pracey and PHA Khamoun
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Heather Evans and Rhianne
- Runner-up - Karen Jones and Aberannell Virginia
2002 - Hewett Challenge not contested
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Pauline Higgs - Dainty Dancer
- Runner-up - Sue Dando - Nebo
Opal Dash
- Winner - Nikki Renny and Spanish Scensation
- Runner-up - Jill Kent and Bitterwell Spirit
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Heather Rishman and Beaumont
2001 - no Three Rivers Ride held due to Foot and Mouth
2000 - sponsored by Horse and Hound
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Belinda Stewart and Tawmarsh Tara
- Runner-up - Sylvia Bailiss and Dorocina Phrizbe
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Emma Froehlich and Dahlih
Opal Dash
- Winner - Andrea Buckley and Franzara
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Maurice Whiteley and Orion
1999
Hewett Challenge
- No successful completions
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Georgina Harris and Mistress Harriet
- Runner-up - Susan Hawes and Silva Dollar
Opal Dash
- Winner - Vicky Brown and Simply Chloe
- Runner-up - Lesley Boreham and Blue Ferelith
1998
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Sylvia Bailiss and Dorocina Phrizbe
- Runner-up - Melanie Fauske and Schenkers Samurai
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Georgina Harris and Mistress Harriet
- Runner-up - Susannah Neame and Dundrum’s Golden Lynx
Opal Dash
- Winner - Rosemary Attfield and Gleam of the Haar
- Runner-up - Richard Allen and Nellie
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Mike Rowe and King
- Runner-up - Debra Colling and Northern Lightning
1997
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Nikki Jenkins and Three Corners Sasha
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Jan Marsh and Silver Wings El Garb
Opal Dash
- Winner - Thea Baker and Pharach Samantha
Veterans’ Challenge
- Winner - Joanne Elwell and Regency Prince
1996
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Graham Hartley and Moon God
1995
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Claire Brown and Sheba
Smokey Challenge
- Winner - Jan Clark and Dahisan
Opal Dash
- Winner - Susan Hawes and Kazal
1994 - twinned with Monts d’Arrée and sponsored by Triple Crown
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Pat Fowler and Sheraton
1993
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Sue Dando and Vixen
1992
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Sylvia Bailiss and Kadian
1991
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Denise Falsetta and Soneri
1990 - sponsored by Dunlop Heywood
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Kay Trigg and Brookhouse Maestro
1989 - sponsored by Dunlop Heywood
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Claire Brown and Shireen Lailee
1988 - sponsored by Emsby Field Sportswear Ltd
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Jan Maddock and Crystal Calif
1987 - sponsored by Hoskyns Group, Sale
Hewett Challenge
Winner - Larissa Campbell and Sundance Boy
1986 - sponsored by Hoskyns Group, Sale
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Liz Finney and Showgirl II
1985 - sponsored by the Southern Echo
Hewett Challenge
- Winner - Jackie Taylor and Beltane Phoenix