Jennifer Annetts

 

Castlebar Contraband is an Anglo Arab. He is a grey gelding and has been doing endurance for 3 years. His dam is China Doll who won the Quilty in 2008 and his Sire is Castlebar Gulf Stream who is a full brother to Yamamah (Kurrajong Concorde).

 

 

We qualified as a combination for WEG at Bet Bet 160km*** event earlier this year and got 1st place and Best Conditioned.

 

I have been doing endurance for nearly 20 years, successfully completing in this time over 10000km.

 

Yes, I rode at the Bahrain World Youth Championships, Argentina World Youth Championships and in New Zealand.

 

What are you doing to prepare in the lead up to WEG? 

Horse fitness and rider fitness is very important. Contraband is in work at Castlebar Endurance Stables. Here he is doing his normal endurance training plus some track work to build up his speed. As a rider I have two horses I am riding for training, and I also run daily.

 

His main feed is Harbison HGD pellets and chaff.

 

How do you prepare your horse for such a long journey?  

Keep things as normal as possible and keep a very close eye on any changes to the horse post departure so we can be on top of any issues asap.

 

What do you know about the 160km WEG course? 

It's been said to be a very technical course with some sections of beach riding.

 

He has a great heart with fast recoveries, and is fantastic to ride. He is a fairly relaxed horse which should be good for travel and the intense atmosphere at a WEG.

 

I’m hoping to see the cross country because it is two days after my event.

 

I feel very privileged to have such experience in my team Castlebar and I am confident we will do everything possible to get the best result we can on the day!