Ride Report: Avon Valley - Chip's Return to Racing

This year I decided I was going to be a bit braver with my ride calendar. Less rinse-and-repeat, more “let’s go somewhere new and see what happens.” I wanted some different challenges, and I’d earmarked Red Dragon as my big end-of-season finale.

Then, as if the endurance gods were nudging me along, Endurance GB announced they were trialling a brand-new race format – a 64km CER – across six venues this season. Red Dragon would be one of them, but so would Avon Valley, and it just so happens that Avon Valley is one of my closest rides. Less than an hour from the yard.

Since Chip and I haven’t done more than 32km since 2023, you’d think my sensible side would have vetoed entering a race twice that distance. But apparently my sensible side had the weekend off, because after Elephant Rock went well, I just… entered.

My ‘Plan’ (if you can call it that) 

Unlike in years gone by when I would agonise for days/weeks/months on which distance and at what venue. This time, I made a mental deal with myself: if Chip went well at Elephant Rock, I’d put in the entry. Worst case, I could downgrade on the day.

Since Elephant Rock was so hilly I felt that we’d really topped up the fitness tank but with so much travelling involved too I felt Chip and Raine both deserved a full week off.

Normally I wouldn’t compete so close together i.e. just two weeks later, but Avon Valley is one of my nearest rides (just under an hour away) and that made the logistics way too tempting.

And so I hatched the plan to ride both horses on both days. Chip in the 64km CER and Raine for her first 40km. in the interest of my readers attention span I will hereafter split out into two blogs. This one is all about King Chip’s return to racing. You can read about Raine’s result here.

The Dream Team Crew

Crew for Saturday was my best friend Shez (legend), her 9-year-old son (chief videographer and general hype man), and my long-suffering Granny (chief worrier and snack provider).

It had been two years since I’d done a vet gate myself, so I was trying to remember exactly what I needed to pack without bringing my usual ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ inventory. I even remembered to pick up some Energex on Friday — having given all mine away last year thinking, “Oh, I won’t be doing multiple loop rides again for a while.” Famous last words.

A Civilised Start (for once)

When ride morning came around it was delightful to only have to leave the yard a 6:30am owing to such a short journey and we arrived at 7:30am in a good parking position to get the hold area set up. Funny as it sounds, it was another thing I’d forgotten I’d need to do since this was a race there wasn’t going to be any crewing at our trailers allowed.

Luckily I’d remembered to pack my trolley. So whilst Granny walked Chip, I got everything set up. I also got all the kit for the crew car organised to be loaded into Shez’s car for when she arrived at 8am.

The vetting was from 8:15 but out start was set for 9:15 so in truth the morning felt quite slow going as we were all set and ready for a long time. This meant Chip was able to have a second breakfast and we were able to enjoy some time together in a relaxed fashion. Nice to actually have a chilled morning rather than the usual ‘oh my god where are my gloves’ panic.

Loop One – Settling In

Since Chip had been walking for well over an hour and half I didn’t get on until 9:05 and after a few trots we were soon ready for the start.

My ride plan was very simple: complete. We haven’t done nearly enough canter work for any proper racing this year and having not even completed or trained at 40km I wasn’t about to through it away on the first loop getting carried away chasing a place.

Also too, with such a prolonged dry spell the ground was rock hard and for Chip who has arthritis in every joint, I had to really keep this in mind.

The first section was stone track, then road, then another stone track — so trotting was the order of the day anyway. Chip found his rhythm alongside the most unlikely race partner: Striker, a coloured cob x Hackney, ridden by Jen Gamister.

Jen and I had a really lovely first loop and we rode the whole way together. Chip is generally such a polite ride these days he was happy to slot in behind and not threaten Striker’s lead position which meant Jen still had her arms attached to her body.

My Jeremy Rudge endurance saddle kept us both comfortable despite the unyielding ground, and the Advantage Girth with its removable sheepskin pad was a blessing — no rubs, no slipping, just secure and easy breathing for Chip all day.

The ride was pretty varied with some rolling hills, but mostly very hard and dry. Nothing anyone can do about the weather and surprisingly more roadwork than I remembered. Although this was the first time for me competing here from the new venue.

As usual Chip didn’t drink any water for the first loop at all despite plenty of crew points. I nonetheless took the opportunity to drink plenty of isotonic water as I knew I was going to need it. It was a hot day but there was a decent breeze which made for ideal riding conditions.

We arrived at the vet gate not only together but also bunched up with the 80km race riders. Naturally Chip was able to present to vetting quicker than Striker. I was thrilled with our 2:18 recovery time for a HR48 and a straight A card. Chip seemed to be in his element.

Into the hold which was a pleasant 40 mins I refreshed his fluffies on his hoof boots (these are actually wool noseband covers) and he had his ice boots on. Chip ate and drank really well and it was all very relaxed. Chip ground tied beautifully so we were all able to get on with our respective jobs.

I even managed to eat some flapjack and drink some more too.

Side note — if you enjoy these ride write-ups and all the behind-the-scenes bits, you can now “Buy Me a Coffee” to keep me fuelled for the next adventure (and the next flapjack in the vet gate!). Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/bellafricker.

Loop Two

The second loop was a repeat of the first – another 32km loop. I knew this time where to push on and where to hold back. Since we left with the 80km race riders, Chip thought he was racing again. He was delighted to get to back out on course for a second loop – having not asked him to do this for a few years.

I was so proud of how he cantered out of the vet gate – I actually only asked for trot and he leapt into canter of his own accord.

Due to our speedy vet presentation I knew that I wasn’t far behind first place but I was clear in my mind that completing was the only aim for the day and I would ride the horse I had under me.

We made it to the divergent point (as the 80km riders were on a different loop to us) in what felt like minimal time as we had definitely upped the pace but Chip's enthusiasm dipped slightly without company which isn’t unusual for him. Despite this, he never stops or says no, he just keep progressing forward albeit less in the bridle.

I hasten to add that he still had plenty of energy to perform a 180 degree spook at some pigeon feathers when we were cantering on a loose rein on a slight decline. I hit the stone farm track hard. Gloves saved my hands; adrenaline saved my dignity. We carried on.

This loop Chip did take the opportunity to drink well at the crew points too which was reassuring. Before we knew it we were at the last crew point and on the final stretch for home. I was pretty confident he was sound and well but it’s always the time I doubt myself the most.

The Final Vet

My plan was to treat the finish like another vet gate — get in and vet ASAP. It helped that we were able to trot into the finish quietly with no exciting racing finish or risk to having a high HR. His HR was 65bpm the moment the saddle was off so we went straight into vetting.

Finishing on another straight A card, a pulse of 52bpm in the vetting and passing the all important three card vet line on his gait – I was absolutely thrilled.

He looked so chuffed with himself. I really expected him to be more tired since we haven’t trained as much as I’d have liked but he was just perfect.

Packing Up and Prize Giving

Packing up was efficient with my super crew and so it was just the prize giving to wait for before we could travel home.

It was lovely to catch up with everyone at the prize giving — and I have to say a huge thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and vets who gave up their time to make the ride run so smoothly. From cheerful gate stewards to the time keepers, they make these events possible and it’s always appreciated.

I was delighted that Jen took third place in the class and congratulations to Ella who took the win on her 19 year old mare. Such a brilliant result that these senior horses are still sound and willing. We were second, it felt like a win just to be back at that distance.

I finally got back to the yard at 6pm so my priority was to unpack Chip’s things and repack Raine’s things ready to leave the yard again at 6.30am on Sunday morning. Chip was happy to be home and looked like he’d just been for a hack, not a 64km race.

Final Thoughts

Not riding more than 32km myself in two years and then doing 64km on day one of a back-to-back weekend… ambitious. But Chip made it easy. He’s in his 10th consecutive endurance season and still loves the job more than anything.

Next stop: Michealchurch in a month's time — shorter distance but hilly, perfect prep for the Dragon.

A final thank you to everyone who made Avon Valley happen — the organisers, route planners, volunteers, vets, and timekeepers. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we love, and they make the long hours on the road and in the saddle all the more worthwhile.

Read about Sunday here.

If you’ve enjoyed following along with Chip’s return to racing, you can help support my future ride reports (and possibly my coffee addiction) here: buymeacoffee.com/bellafricker. Every little bit goes towards fuel, entry fees, and the odd post-ride cake stop.