Go 2 May 2019

INSIDE: NGO HELPS SCHOOL SPORT - PAGE 15
Young archer to rep SA
- Page 15
S P O RT
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Thursday, M ay 2, 2019
Clarendon squash wins derby
- Page 6
SWEET VICTORY: Gihahn Cloete goes for the swing
during the Warriors' match against the Kings on
Sunday.
Picture: MATTHEW FIELD
WILD RIDE: Race the
Wild Coast will put
riders to the ultimate
test Picture: SUPPLIED
Test of horse and man
MATTHEW FIELD
The third iteration of
Race the Wild Coast
(RTWC) – billed as
the toughest horse
race in the world –
will be starting on
October 19 and is now
open for registration.
The event is
limited-access only
with 20 riders
allowed to take part.
The 350km ride
sees participants
travel on horseback
from Port Edward to
Kei Mouth over a
period of four to five
days. Each
participant will ride
three horses over the
course of the race,
with each horse
covering on average
of 50km per day.
In addition, there
will be 12 scheduled
veterinary checks
every 29km to ensure
the well-being of the
horses.
According to race
organiser and 2017
Mongol Derby winner
Barry Armitage,
RTWC is sure to prove
a challenge to
experienced riders.
“RTWC is a
complex multi-stage
race in which riders
must brave this
challenging
wilderness and swim
rivers while keeping
horses fit for vet
checks. It is no doubt
the ultimate test of
endurance and
horsemanship for any
long-distance rider,”
Armitage said.
The race has
achieved international
acclaim and attracts
talent from as far as the
United Arab Emirates,
Guatemala, and the UK.
US race veteran
Stevie Murray said the
race is one of the
toughest he’s ever
competed in.
“When you’ve done
the Mongol Derby
[1,000km race through
the Mongolian st e p p e
in China and world’s
longest horse race],
you think nothing will
ever compare with that
again. I was wrong.
“RTWC is technically
and physically far more
challenging and the
hectic, but breathtaking
terrain has no
comparison.
Armitage warned
would-be participants
that the RTWC is not
something that should
be done lightly.
“Being physically fit
is essential. There are
some brutal hills on
this ride and some of
the river crossings are
daunting, so being
confident in water is a
m u st .
“With six major rivers
that require deep water
swims, and the
expectation of rain,
conditions will test
riders’ skills each step
of the way,” he said.
To enter, contact
Armitage on
083-393-5007 or e-mail
i n f o @ ro c k e t h o r s e ra c i n g . c o . z a .
For more information,
visit
w w w. ro c k e t h o r s e ra c i n g . c o . z a .