Powys town to play host to Red Dragon Festival of Endurance

Organisers say support for the famous event from the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells which takes riders on a range of routes from 16km to 160km in two days over the Cambrian Mountains is back bigger than ever with the addition of the prestigious Welsh Endurance Championships which this year is sponsored by Presteigne-based blow-moulding company Hadley Hargreaves Ltd.

The event will take place from September 24-26 and will see riders compete in grassroots, novice, open and advanced classes to earn the title of Welsh champion.

The Welsh Endurance Championships are heading to Builth Wells. Picture by David Saunders Photography.

John and Jane Hudson in their 10th year as organisers of the prestigious Red Dragon event, held from the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, say that they were overwhelmed by the strong backing of the sponsors and the support of the endurance community when it became clear that the Welsh Government would have to delay lifting of restrictions in time, forcing the cancellation of the 2020 event.

John Hudson said: “A huge amount of work had gone into last year’s event and the support then gave us the impetus to return this year bigger and better than ever and we are excited that part of that involves bringing the Welsh Endurance Championship to Red Dragon.”

The Welsh Endurance Championships are heading to Builth Wells. Picture by David Saunders Photography.

“We would like to express our thanks to our title sponsors British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company and all our other sponsors including Hadley Hargreaves Ltd, sponsor of the Welsh Endurance Championship, for their generosity and continued support throughout the preparations and to Steve Hughson and his Royal Welsh Showground team and the numerous volunteers who work so hard and local landowners who welcome us.”

“With the addition of the Welsh, National and Pony Club Championships, we can promise that after a difficult 18 months for everyone, this year’s Red Dragon Festival of Endurance will be an opportunity for the endurance community to gather safely, compete and celebrate our sport at this wonderful venue.”

Red Dragon Festival of Endurance, along with the sport’s other epic challenge, the historic Golden Horseshoe Ride on Exmoor is a bucket list event for most endurance riders.

Just 4.5km from the start, the Red Dragon route takes riders over the legendary feature climb over the 400-metre Aberedw Hill. After tackling this, competitors are led out onto a spectacular grass covered plateau and onto mountain trails.

The Welsh Endurance Championships are heading to Builth Wells. Picture by David Saunders Photography.

As well as the Welsh Endurance Championships, this year sees the event play host to the Pony Club National Championships on Sunday, September 26 offering Pony Club members from across the country the unique opportunity to take part in this prestigious endurance event.

Hattie I’Anson of headline sponsors British Horse Feeds said: “The Red Dragon event is certainly one of the highlights of the calendar in the sport of endurance and we are delighted to once again be supporting with both of our companies British Horse Feeds and The Golden Paste Company. ”

The Welsh Endurance Championships are being sponsored this year by Hadley Hargreaves, a blow-moulding specialist based in Presteigne, Powys, which manufactures windscreen wash-wipe systems for automotive companies.

Mike Jones, managing director and founder of Hadley Hargreaves Ltd who are sponsoring the Welsh Championships said: “As a business, Hadley Hargreaves cares about customers, employees, suppliers and society as a whole, which is why the increasing use of sustainable materials is important to us. We pride ourselves on long term partnerships with all stakeholders, including the communities where they are based, which is why we are proud to sponsor the Welsh Endurance Championships held at the Red Dragon Festival of Endurance.”