Has anybody seen the man VS horse race in Wales?

Parachute

Parachute

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 February 2013
Messages
797
Visit site
I've just seen an advert on the TV, and i'm quite interested as i've never heard of it before. Surely the horse wins, so what is the point? :p
Is it for fun, or is it a genuine race? Or do they do, first horse/first man?

Sorry, very interested :D
 
I believe a man has won in the past, yes.

I went on a riding holiday in Llanwrytydd Wells when I was young, and the owner of the place took part in (and I believe may have won!) the race with her horse.

If I remember correctly the horses do start a little after the runners.
 
miss_c said:
I believe a man has won in the past, yes.

I went on a riding holiday in Llanwrytydd Wells when I was young, and the owner of the place took part in (and I believe may have won!) the race with her horse.

If I remember correctly the horses do start a little after the runners.
Click to expand...

Oh, well that makes sense. Me being blonde imagined them starting together, hence why I thought there's no way man can win. Woops :o
 
Yes, the horse has been beaten, but it took 25 years to do it and the bloke got a nice fat cheque as each year that a horse wins, £1000 goes into the kitty. His name is Huw Lobb, and he won it in 2hrs5mins in 2004. It was also won by two legs in 2007. The course is pretty boggy in places, and so the horse and man is more equal than you might think. There are some pretty tough runners out there too.
I'm hoping to run it this year, and I hope to do it on the horse in the future too!
 
lhotse said:
Yes, the horse has been beaten, but it took 25 years to do it and the bloke got a nice fat cheque as each year that a horse wins, £1000 goes into the kitty. His name is Huw Lobb, and he won it in 2hrs5mins in 2004. It was also won by two legs in 2007. The course is pretty boggy in places, and so the horse and man is more equal than you might think. There are some pretty tough runners out there too.
I'm hoping to run it this year, and I hope to do it on the horse in the future too!
Click to expand...

Wow - you learn something new everyday. Good luck to you, on foot and on horseback! :D
 
I've a feeling I'll be quicker on foot than on the horse, I think she'll quite like the idea of tailing some runners rather than overtaking!!
 
Think the horse won. It was last may and was £100 prize. 20km but some of the route was more suited to the horse and some of it was stoney and craggy so suited the runner more than horse. If I had transport I'd be definitely up for it.
 
My friend has done this on horseback and is riding in it agaun this year. I crew for her at the vet points and its great fun (in nice weather!)
Well worth a watch if your near!
 
Been crewing for a rider on the horse part, it's run like an endurance race ride with vet points etc, the horse has to be presented toa vet and is not allowed to leave again untill it's heart rate is below a certain level, unlike the humans the horses fitness is checked and they are pulledout if not up to fitness. It's over some really rough ground and up some steep hills, so not for the feignt hearted! You alsoneed some really dedicated helpers on the Day to keep both horse and rider cool :)
 
I believe it was sponsored by William Hill bookmakers for many years hence the decent prize fund. I knew someone who rode it in past. Pretty sure it's been on Countryfile etc. Probably on Youtube somewhere. Tough hilly course slows horses down and start separately to avoid man v horse crashes!
 
The few times a human has run it has been when it has been hot as horses apparently heat up quicker than humans and therefore find it more difficult. Also I found out that horses are not allowed to race barefoot.
 
Ooh, unfortunately not near wales at all, so won't be watching it this year. Just found the advert interesting. :p
 
It's in Llanwrtyd Wells, 6 miles from where I live :)

It's hunting ground for us lot, I've been half tempted with my Big Ears but I think I'd struggle to get fit!

My best friend won it in 2010 on her homebred gelding 'Sly Dai', aka Kid, at the ripe old age of 18! It was their first and only attempt!
 
SarahThomas said:
It's in Llanwrtyd Wells, 6 miles from where I live :)

It's hunting ground for us lot, I've been half tempted with my Big Ears but I think I'd struggle to get fit!

My best friend won it in 2010 on her homebred gelding 'Sly Dai', aka Kid, at the ripe old age of 18! It was their first and only attempt!
Click to expand...

Wow, congratulations to her! :D
 
Bluecanoo i would imagine ir is full already for this year as entrys usually fill up quickly.
I would ring or email the organisers to see.
Me and one other person usually crew for our friend. We take a couple of buckets, sponges a cooler sheet and a couple of bananas/nut bars for rider.
 
And you can do it as one runner our a team of three. Teams have also beaten the horse before. going is very serious for horses or runners. I would say horse would need to be at least forty mile fit to stand a chance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top