HARTPURY College equine student Elsie May will represent Wales at the Endurance GB Home Internationals in Scotland this week.

The 17-year-old, from Herefordshire, has been selected for the Welsh team competing at the prestigious event in Perth from September 4-6.

May will partner her family’s homebred 11-year-old Arabian gelding Ma'ase Bin Krayaan, known as Ma'ase, as teams representing Wales, England and Scotland compete for the Home International Cup and Trophy.

It will be May’s third year representing Wales and only her second attempt at a longer endurance distance.

She said: “This is my third year representing Wales, and I absolutely love it. The team is so supportive, and the friendships we all share are incredible.

“Ma'ase is a fantastic partner who gives me his absolute all and really looks after me.”

May said her priority in Scotland would be looking after Ma'ase and adapting to the conditions, while she will also be responsible for navigating the route herself as her mother Amanda forms part of her support crew.

The Hartpury student grew up in an endurance-riding family and began competing in the discipline in 2022, following Amanda, who has competed since 2000.

Alongside her studies, May is a member of the Golden Valley Pony Club and trains from her family’s Arabian stud in Herefordshire.

Ma'ase was bred by the family and moved into endurance competition following a brief spell in Arabian racing.

May prepares the gelding using local riding routes and visits to the gallops, supported by her mother and other equine professionals.

Endurance riding tests the fitness and stamina of both horse and rider across long-distance routes, with horses undergoing veterinary examinations during competition before being allowed to continue.

May joked that Ma'ase normally belongs to her mother but she had “stolen” him for the Home Internationals, adding that she might have to keep him afterwards.