The victory came out of nowhere for the city rider

Milton Keynes endurance rider Bella Fricker proved that slow and steady can win the race when she and her long-standing horse, Spanish Heir, won the 80km Competitive Endurance Ride at Piddle in Dorset.

Bella, 30, rode Spanish Heir, known at home as Chip, to victory on an extremely hot day, taking a careful “tortoise and the hare” approach over the long-distance course. The pair not only won the class but Chip was also awarded Best Condition, recognising his excellent fitness, recovery and wellbeing throughout the competition.

Endurance riding is a long-distance equestrian sport where horse and rider complete marked routes across the countryside. The sport is governed in England and Wales by Endurance GB, with horse welfare at the heart of every event. Horses are checked by vets before, during and after the ride to ensure they are fit to continue, with success depending not just on speed, but on careful pacing, horsemanship and how well the horse recovers.

Bella said: “It was an extremely hot day and living in Milton Keynes with no hills I went to the race with no agenda other than to take it steady and listen to my horse.”

That approach paid off. While other combinations set out with more competitive ambitions, Bella focused on keeping Chip comfortable, hydrated and happy in the conditions.

Spanish Heir is now 17 years old and has been Bella’s partner for much of her adult life.

Bella said: “It’s a bit of a running joke but I actually purchased Chip in my first year at university using my student maintenance loan! I worked a part-time job alongside my degree and kept him at a livery yard for free in exchange for doing yard jobs. He’s been the best use of a student loan ever I think.”

The partnership has now spanned 11 consecutive endurance seasons. Although Chip has enjoyed an impressive career, Piddle was his first 80km competition since 2023, after Bella had chosen to step him down to shorter distances while bringing on younger horses.

Bella explained: “I had younger horses coming up and I felt that Chip had already achieved so much that I should step him back down the distances, and we’ve been really enjoying the 60km races. However, the last one we went to wasn’t very well marked and we got lost, making the final distance 70km. I then realised there was nothing in another 10km and we might as well just try the 80km.”

The decision proved to be the right one, with Chip showing all the experience of a seasoned endurance horse.

Bella said: “I’m so glad we did it and not only that but of course that we won and Chip was also awarded Best Condition. Despite the incredibly hot conditions, Chip is such a seasoned professional that he knew to eat and drink and so flew through all of the vet checks with great metabolics.”

The result is a particularly special one for Bella, who has produced Chip through years of careful training, competing and partnership. For a horse bought on a student budget and kept through hard work and determination, his latest win is a reminder that endurance success is built over many miles.

Bella added: “Chip owes me absolutely nothing, but he still loves going out and doing his job. Days like this are what make endurance so special. It’s not just about crossing the finish line first, it’s about the partnership, the trust and knowing your horse well enough to make the right decisions for them.”

Endurance GB offers rides across England and Wales, from shorter pleasure rides for beginners to competitive long-distance events and international championships. The sport welcomes a wide range of horses and riders, with a strong focus on welfare, countryside access and the bond between horse and rider.