One of the smallest equines in the field was victorious in the second running of the Man V Horse race in Somerset, with 12.2hh ‘Steve’ racing to a thrilling neck-and-neck finish alongside an Irish Sport Horse.
The Welsh section B pony carried Lara Malcolm around 23 miles of rugged south west countryside and shared the spoils with Vicky Heal on Bounce.
The distinctive endurance challenge pits runners against horses and the winners crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 22 minutes before passing the final vetting and being pronounced joint winners.
The first runner to cross the line was Bart Stockman, who finished 27 minutes later.
“We had the best time. I knew he was fit, but didn’t realise he was that fit,” said Lara, who admitted that she didn’t expect to win.
Vicky confessed that she didn’t realise how close she and her 13-year-old Irish sports horse were to crossing the finish line until they saw the final steward.
“The steward said, ‘you’ve got about a quarter of a mile’, so I thought let’s get going,” she said.
Husband-and-wife teams
Bart Stockman faced a tense wait at the finish line as his wife also competed on horseback.
Reflecting on the challenge, he said the “brutal hills were the psychological crux of the event,” but he added that the race was exceptionally well organised and he enjoyed a fantastic atmosphere throughout.
Bart also added that he might bring his own horse next year to join in the action.
Another husband-and-wife duo were Matt and Niki Fourie-Burns, who both completed the race.
Niki said that her husband found the running ‘tough’ and called her horse, Jam, an “absolute legend”. Only two weeks earlier the horse was competing in a Badminton Grassroots regional qualifier with the rider’s daughter.
Pony born on the hills
The Quantock Hills – England’s first designated area of outstanding natural beauty – provided a stunning backdrop for the race, which this year attracted 123 competitors: 84 runners and 39 riders.
The challenging course covered woodland, moorland and ancient droves, all set against the vivid hues of autumn’s changing colours.
One competitor with a particularly close connection to the Quantocks was 12-year-old Quantock Phoenix, a pony born and bred on the hills, who finished third this year.
He was gifted to his rider, Katie, by her grandmother.
“We’re trying to promote the Quantock Hills and the Quantock ponies,” said the rider’s mother. “They’re true all-rounders – all shapes and sizes, and incredibly hardy and tough.”
The last time the race was held was in 2023, which concluded with another tie, but last time with a runner and a horse.
Distance and diversity
Runners were given a 15-minute head start ahead of the riders. From the 12.2hh winner through to former racehorses with pedigrees from the track, this year’s entrants reflected the event’s remarkable diversity.
The line up included former Royal Ascot winner Coeur de Lion, as well as Speedo Boy, who was very successful on the Flat.
Event organiser Philip King said the challenge is designed to be both fun and accessible, encouraging participation from both serious athletes and adventurous amateurs alike.
Veterinary oversight at the event was led by Heidi John of Evolution Vets, who oversaw the welfare of both horses and riders throughout the endurance event, with veterinary check points held out on the course.
Racing for a cause
Man V Horse raises funds for The Pegasus Project, a community interest initiative run in partnership with the charity Turning Point.
The project provides equine-assisted psychotherapy for children and young people recovering from psychological trauma, particularly those affected by drug or alcohol use — either their own or within their families.
This year’s race raised £5,000 through ticket sales, with Persimmon Homes making a £2,000 donation to support the running of the race and the work of The Pegasus Project.
Next year’s Man v Horse will take place on Saturday 19 September 2026, with organisers hoping to expand the field to a maximum of 300 competitors.
Images by Dells Photography/Adele Kleeman
