A HORSE rider from Somerset has proved that age is no barrier after completing her first international endurance ride at the age of 61.
Wendy Everson, from West Lydford near Somerton, finished as the first British rider home in the CEI1 100km class at Lavenham, Suffolk, on Saturday, June 13 2026, riding her homebred 18-year-old mare, Dizzy Miss Lizzy.
The pair completed the 100km course at an average speed of 15.35kmph, finishing 10th overall in what was their first ever FEI ride — the international level of endurance competition.
Endurance riding is a long-distance equestrian sport in which horse and rider complete set routes across countryside, tracks and roads, with strict veterinary checks before, during and after the ride to ensure the horse is fit, comfortable and able to continue.
Endurance GB is the National Governing Body for the sport in England and Wales, supporting riders from grassroots pleasure rides through to international championship competition. For Wendy and Dizzy Miss Lizzy, known as Lizzy at home, the step up to the international level marked the latest milestone in an already impressive partnership.
In 2025, the pair were crowned Endurance GB Advanced National Champions, but despite their experience, Wendy admitted the move into FEI competition felt like a significant leap.
“To make the leap to FEI can be a daunting prospect,” said Wendy. “I gained confidence from last season and felt Lizzy had improved again from her 2025 performances, hence the jump into FEI.
“We have done everything for the first time together on our endurance journey. There are lots of real and perceived challenges to doing FEI, such as expense, elitism and speeds, but my take-home experience from this ride was people — including FEI-experienced fellow competitors — being helpful and supportive at key times.”
The achievement was made even more special by the fact that Wendy bred Lizzy herself and has been with the mare from the very beginning.
“We are both veterans and we have grown older together, too,” said Wendy.
“We have been together from the start and it’s quite precious.” Wendy describes Lizzy as a competitive but unassuming mare with a “nice temperament” and a feisty streak. She said the 18-year-old has grown in confidence through her endurance career and has become particularly good over more technical routes.
Wendy added: “She can be quite nippy on technical courses and has grown in confidence with some good performance experiences behind her,” said Wendy.
“She doesn’t keep going at any cost and lets me know how she is feeling. For her to be happy and enjoy the journey is very important to me.”
Lizzy looked well at home in her first international contest. Wendy said she felt “very energetic and powerful” throughout the ride and coped extremely well with the new experience.
At one stage, the pair were in third place heading out onto the final loop, riding alongside two UAE combinations and averaging around 18kmph.
Lizzy was also impressive with her recovery times at the veterinary checks, presenting in two minutes or under despite Wendy having just one crew member.
“Keeping up with their pace was quite exciting,” said Wendy. “She was vetting nearly as quickly as the leaders, which was very impressive with only one crew.”
However, endurance is as much a test of concentration and judgement as speed. On the final loop, Wendy lost touch with the leaders and, feeling the effects of tiredness while trying to keep Lizzy motivated on her own, went off course for 7km.
The mistake cost the pair around 40 minutes and their podium position. “I lost touch of the leaders and, somewhat overwhelmed, I went off course and lost my third place,” said Wendy. “I am sure it was tiredness and distraction from helping Lizzy to stay motivated on her own.
"After I got back on course Sue Box caught us up and we bowled along together to the finish.”
Despite the setback, Wendy and Lizzy completed successfully, finishing 10th and as the first British combination home.
“That speed reflects what could have been, although to finish was to win on this occasion,” said Wendy. “I am so pleased with Lizzy. She will reflect on this ride too — I love her to bits.”
Wendy hopes her result will encourage others to see that international endurance is not limited to younger riders.
“Younger riders give the sport more future, but age focuses the mind,” she said. “It would be negative to believe only the young can participate in FEI. Ironically, I have a sign in my gym which says, ‘age is no barrier’.
“I have always trained. I love going to the gym and do hilly cycling for aerobic fitness, as well as treadmill 5k runs. I also do balance and bodyweight exercises as this translates to the saddle. Health and fitness are key.”
Wendy was supported on the day by Robin, who crewed for her and Lizzy throughout the ride. “Robin did a sterling job,” said Wendy. “When I went off course, he phoned me up and encouraged me to get back on course and regroup. At the vet holds we were competing against a full team of crew with the UAE. Despite this, we worked as a team to present Lizzy nearly as quickly as the leaders.”
There were so many positives to go away with for our next attempt,” she said. Lizzy will now enjoy a well-earned rest and check-up before Wendy considers her next steps. With two more CEI1 opportunities in July and August, Wendy hopes the pair may be able to gain their qualification to step up to CEI2 level later this year.
“I admit it took a lot for me to make the leap to do FEI,” said Wendy. “My advice to myself was: you have a good horse, don’t waste the opportunity.”
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