Many endurance fanatics will remember him – Soverein Overdraft, ridden by Robert Lord (former president of the Endurance Ride Association). Overdraft was one of the most successful endurance horses of his time.

Overdraft was an Anglo-Arab, born from a Thoroughbred mare, Hire ­Purchase. She was from Hyperion stock – a legendary Thoroughbred stallion with successful progeny almost everywhere in the world. Overdraft's sire was ­Olford ­Seradin ­(Raktha Scha x Serafilla), a ­Crabbet Arabian bred by Betty Arnold.

Even as foal he impressed Robert, as he had good conformation and attitude: "He was quite a difficult horse, highly spirited and ditched me a couple of times, but this made him a good horse. He was very frustrating and lazy on a training ride, but he knew when he was in a competition and was like a Rolls Royce – absolutely professional! A highly intelligent horse."

His endurance career

As with many of our outstanding endurance horses, Overdraft started his career as a farm worker. Thereafter he broke onto the endurance scene with Robert's wife Jean (a lightweight) in the saddle. He had an incredible pulse, and won many of his early rides.

When he reached age nine, Robert took over as the rider. Robert remarks: "By then he was in prime form and ready to go and hardly felt the difference in weight!" Quite unbelievable for all those who know Jean and Robert!

But we have not told you why he was a special horse.

His main achievements cover a period of ten years, which in itself is special. During this period, which started in 1986, he:

• Completed 5 000 km in competition
• Won the Hofmeyr 100-miler five times (in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992 and 1996) – ten years between the first and last win! He also finished third twice
• Completed a total of ten 100-miler rides, winning seven
• Completed two 300-milers, winning both
• Completed two Fauresmith 200 rides, both times winning the heavyweight category (in 1988 and 1992).

The most special moments?

"Winning the 300-miler in under 40 hours, and winning heavyweights twice at Fauresmith. The first time we came seventh overall and won overall best condition! Emotional stuff!"

But there are other reasons why Overdraft was special.

Training and feeding

Robert says, grinning: "Overdraft was trained on an extremely grueling programme, which we wouldn’t use today! But he was horse enough to stand up to it! He was lunged intensively, sometimes at a canter for an hour.

“He was ridden a minimum of 80 km a week to train for an 80 km ride. When training for longer distances, he would do up to 120 km a week at a lower speed." And special feeding? Not for him! He was fed oats and lucern, and was never given electrolytes.

And even the approach to pre-rides was different! Where most riders today believe in taking it relatively easy during the season to conserve energy for Fauresmith, this was not the case in Overdraft’s days.

"Everything was fast! In those days we used to gun it. Jean did a lot of the pre rides on Overdraft, and she and Lynnette (brother David's wife on Sunstorm), set the course record for Waterlea, which still hasn’t been broken.

Souverein Sunstorm, half brother to Overdraft (also by Olford Seradin), won the ­Fauresmith heavyweight category in 1990 in a record time, with Robert’s brother David in the saddle. David’s record was only broken 12 years later in 2002, and only just!

Advice to young riders?

"Get the basics right, winning comes by itself," Robert says.

So, should we try what Robert and Overdraft did?

"Sure you can, but maybe the training should be less vigorous and the feeding more balanced – except if you happen to own a very special horse like Souverein Overdraft!"