Guatemala City - The event will start the 7th of March at 4:00 pm at the Ingenio Magdalena. The Sugar Mill Magdalena is located in La Gomera Escuintla, Guatemala. This is the second year that Ingenio Magdalena has provided their gigantic installations to host this prestigious international event.
In the middle of the night, you are startled when off in the distance you see a thundering herd of horses galloping across a moonlit sugar cane field. But wait, they are not randomly running, they are single file, going from one glowing corner to another. Then you say to yourself, just another 160 km endurance ride, and go on with your business.
An equestrian endurance ride is where each rider rides one horse 160 km in one day (24 hours). In the tropical regions, the rides usually start late afternoon to take advantage of the cooler night time temperatures. So endurance riders in Guatemala seem to have owl-like night vision, usually riding from sundown until well past sunrise.
This coming weekend there will be an International competition held in Guatemala, drawing riders and officials from all over the globe. The host and sponsor of the event, Ingenio Magdalena, will have around 35 of the best endurance riders competing to say they are the fastest in Guatemala being the winner of this competition, the most prestigious competition of the season.
Endurance is a competition not so much against the other riders, but more so against the trail and the elements. During last year's competition, the rain drenched the riders, and the trail became muddy and slippery, and the river crossing became deep, and the clouds made the night ever so dark. Riding 160 km on a wet saddle with wet clothes and the rain pelting their faces makes you wonder about the sanity of the riders. These are not the weak. They give no excuses.
Both horses and riders are true athletes. The horses are the toughest around. The riders range from a beautiful 14 year old girl to a 60 year old man with everything in between. Even the most beautiful must possess the strength and stamina to ride for nearly a full 24 hours with only minutes rest.
For the horses, there are mandatory examinations by trained veterinarians throughout the ride. These exams are complete inspections of the physiology and soundness of the horse. The welfare of each horse is paramount. If there is ever any doubt about the horse's ability to safely continue on, the horse is withdrawn from the ride immediately.
Endurance riding is the world's fastest growing equestrian sport. It is a family sport that can be enjoyed by the young and old alike. Most of the horses compete for years and years with the same rider, usually creating a bond between them that is like no other.
If you cannot come out to join us this weekend, look for photographs and full results and stories right here next Monday.
Photos: Ignacio de Wit
