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 Wessex Club radio communications 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   Checking for low hanging branches!    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 2008 back to 1985  (In 2007 the ride was cancelled just 4 days before it was due to take place, due to Foot and Mouth complications – so no results at all for that year!)   RESULTS FROM 2008 IN THE ER CLASSES Class 2 – The Smokey Challenge Jill Kent Bitterwell Spirit   Retired Natasha Sainsbury Kofi   Fail lame VG3 Joanne Wallis Baga Magic Fire   Fail lame VG3 Charlotte Robinson Puleski Winner of Best Presented Award Fail lame VG2 Anthony Sargent Ell Kaleefa Rose   Fail lame at start   Class 3 – The Opal Dash   Rider Horse Average Speed Heart Rate Result Notes Nicky Sherry Silver Zourra 12.03 52 4th   Chris Yeoman L M Midday 12.03 52 3rd   Heather Whiteley Shahfabah 11.62 52 5th   Claire Bruce Ah Diba     Fail lame VG2 Winner of Best Presented Emma Sparks Corot 14.04 52 1st   Anne Walton Heathdan Cziqita 13.86 48 2nd Best Condition   Class 4 – the Veterans’ Challenge       Horse Finish Order Riding Time Average Speed Result Notes Pam Ritchie Last Flight (18 yrs) 4 7:24:35 12.93 3rd Best Condition Claudia Christopher Cobwebb (20yrs) 3 7:33:16 12.68 4th   Pam Jordan Appalousie Firefly (26yrs) 5 7:53:54 12.19 5th Best Presented Pauline Higgs Dainty Dancer (18yrs) 1 7.22.02 13.00 2nd   Sue Speed Yakamin (18yrs) 2 5:51:42 14.22 1st Farrier's Award & PF ER Award       2006 – Hewett Challenge not contested for the past two years due to lack of   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