Route Du Poisson
Friday, September 30, 2005
The British Heavy Horse Driving team gained a fabulous Bronze in the 'Route du Poisson' international heavy horse driving trial last weekend. This included 5 stage wins out of 21 with no penalties incurred in 17 stages and horses passing the vet check after all stages. This was the forth time the team has been entered for the biennial event and the first medal win.
The 24 hour trial is designed to replicate the delivery of fish from the fishing port of Boulogne to the restaurants of Paris. Sixteen teams of twenty horses, driven in pairs, followed a 200 mile relay course throughout the Northern French countryside supported by 250,000 spectators. The relay baton is the cart and each stage must be completed in a given time in order not to incur penalties. At the end of each stage vets check the horses heart rates to ensure that they have not been over stretched and are fit to do further stages if required. In addition to the relay there are a number of special stages to test the horses and drivers skill.
The special stages replicate the some of the problems encountered by the fish delivery. A boat pulling challenge at Boulogne replicates the pulling of the fishing boats up the beach and demonstrates the horses' strength. The horses' temperament is tested in ridden and 'town driving' tests which include riding over a seesaw and driving around a brass band, while they are playing. The ability to change the horses quickly was shown in the fast change challenge. The British team managed to unhitch one pair of horses and hitch in a new pair in less than 30 seconds achieving the second fastest time of the event. As many obstacles could be encountered there is also an obstacle driving test around trees and posts. It was an overall second place in these special stages that was the secret to the British team success.
The team was made up of Shires, the endangered Suffolk, Ardennes and Percheron horses. As well as 20 horses, 10 drivers and grooms the support team includes a vet, change teams to transfer the cart rapidly between horses, lorry drivers to transport the horses and tacticians to direct and pace. The total team size is some 50 people. The British team sponsors 'Hilton Herbs' were thrilled that after 8 years and 4 attempts the British team had finally shown what they were capable of. Plans are already being put in place for an attempt to improve further next time.
Further details can be found at http://www.laroutedupoisson.fr
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