Riders Team Payton is a collection of family and friends who over the years have enjoyed great fun and sport in Endurance Horse Riding.  Team success first occurred in 2003 when Des’s Dynamite Diva’s (Sally & Melisendra, Gilly & Danny Court Golden Coin and Julia &Cardinal Panache) won the South East Group HCD Team Trophy. Flight Lieutenant Sally Payton BSc RAF Sally started riding whilst living in London and it was only when the family relocated to Sussex, that she was allowed her first pony Amadeus (Wolf).  A keen member of the Pony Club (PC), Sally gained a place on many of the teams, and gained both PC and BHS qualifications.  Sally took a ‘gap year’ prior to University to ride, and instructed at a summer camp in Tennessee, USA.  After graduating from the University of Warwick in 1998, Sally joined the Royal Air Force as a Commissioned Officer and is currently serving as an Air Traffic Controller. The Payton’s adventure into Endurance Horse Riding began when Wolf gained an injury and Sally’s Mum (Gilly) was advised to try long distance riding with him.  Sally continued to compete in a variety of disciplines and entered short distance rides with Brookland’s Boy (Echo) and later dressage/event horse Starspangled Banner.  Whilst at University and horseless, Sally was lucky to be offered rides, only progressing onto longer distances when she needed to qualify Wolf for the Golden Horseshoe (GHS) after Gilly sustained serious injuries whilst handling an injured horse; they successfully completed a 65km event at Epping Forest. Wolf sailed through the vetting, whilst Sally went green and keeled over!  This motivated Sally to seek more rides at longer distances and more importantly Gilly and Wolf got to attend the GHS that year.  In 2000 having not had a horse since ‘95’, Sally decided to set about looking and Dazzler’s Mischief (Pogo) was initially taken on loan, together they gained Gold Series by successfully completing 80km at Goodwood.  Their greatest achievement together was winning the Silver Saillard Trophy in the 120km class at the 2002 Golden Horseshoe.  At the end of 2002, Sally took on Gilly’s advanced mare Melisendra (Mel) and went on to represent GB on the 2003 Intermediate Team in Compiégne, France.  In 2004 Sally and Mel qualified for the World and European Championships and became an active member of the Endurance GB Senior Squad.  This year whilst pursuing a place on the Senior Team, Sally is also bringing on a young novice horse called Qu’Est Elle Bint Zareen (Ella).  Sally still finds time to help out at rides and was co- organiser for the 2004 & 2005 RAF Cranwell Ride. Gilly Payton Gilly started competing in Endurance Horse Riding in the late 1980’s riding Wolf whom she achieved Gold Series on.  Together they travelled further a field and enjoyed great success; winning the Golden Dragon (120km over 2-days) at the Red Dragon Ride (Wales) as well as completing 160km (100miles) at the Spirit of Sherwood in 1995.  Dannycourt Golden Coin (Polo) was the first horse to be purchased specifically for endurance and in 1993 he was acquired as a 6 month old colt.  Polo was given an all round education and enjoyed success in dressage/show-jumping/showing and PC Teams before concentrating on his endurance career.  At the end of his Novice season he won the South East Novice Trophy and was placed in the top 10 nationally.   During 2003 another Advanced horse was sought and Melisendra (Mel) joined the Team.  Before generously handing the ride to Sally, Gilly and Mel were 10th in the 100km ER held at Alfred’s Tower.  Meanwhile, Gilly bought 3yr old, Simeric Shoman (Pilgrim) as a ‘project’ and has just upgraded him to Intermediate level competitions.  In addition, Gilly was also an active member of the South East Endurance Groups as both Committee Member and Ride Organiser, running several rides on the South Downs. Gilly also served on the Management Committee at the beginning of Endurance GB and is now involved at Group level in Norfolk where the family has recently relocated. Julia Harman Julia is well known in the South East with her horse Danny Boy, accumulating many successful miles and wins.  As he approached retirement, Julia took on Cardinal Panache (Caspar) who was born at Team Payton’s Farm and is half brother to Pilgrim.  Julia is based near Dover, Kent and has been a South East Committee Member and Ride Organiser. Brigid Fairman Brigid and Gilly met during their first 80km ride, which was both very wet and tough, out of 14 starters they were the only 2 to successfully complete and gain Gold series status. Their friendship has endured the years and they are still riding together.  Brigid has taken several horses to Advanced level and has represented the Country on the GB Intermediate Team in Calais. This year she is bringing Vert Oliver, bred by her father Rupert Cooper through from Novice.

Crews Team Payton would like to thank everyone who has helped Crew over the years.  Without such help, we would not have experienced the success and more importantly fun that we’ve had. Des Payton  is a key member of Team Payton and has crewed at all levels including FEI 4* Championships.  A former Military pilot, Des is now retired and devoting much of his spare time to the EnduranceGB Management Committee.  In addition, Des helps at many rides and lectures at training events on a variety of topics useful for crew. Julia Tilley  joined Team Payton in 2004 and had her first taste of crewing at an FEI 3* ride.  Since then Julia has crewed at several key events and her help has been invaluable.  Julia manages her own Livery Yard and competes in British Eventing. Sue Rogers has competed on the British Intermediate Team and has become a firm friend and additional crew on major rides, travelling overseas with Team Payton Fiona & Brain Henderson  were Melisendra’s previous owners; sadly, injury forced Fiona into parting with her.  They have kept in contact and helped crewed Mel at the Red Dragon and in Compiégne on the British Intermediate Team. Sarah Adams spent two years riding with Gilly and Sally whilst working in London, now back in Australia she is working at Lindsey Park Racing Yard in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. She has two horses currently competing in Endurance.

Sponsors Team Payton are sponsored by: Equimat Horse Health See our sponsors page If you are interested in being associated with our winning team please - 'Contact Us' now to make an enquiry.