Sport
5 August, 2024
Downs riders follow tradition of horsemanship
Endurance riding competitions are not a spectator sport but the event is one that is loved by horse owners because it is one where the rider works closely with their horse not for the fastest time to cover a course, but to cover the course in a time that is within the horse’s fitness capabilities.
Endurance competitions are strictly supervised by equine veterinarians who check the heart rate, metabolic and lameness condition of horses as they finish the course and any not passing a standardised accepted level are automatically disqualified.
With this in mind endurance riding competitions don’t necessarily suit riders with a highly competitive attitude and a desire to be first across the line without consideration for the horse’s wellbeing.
Endurance riders have a strong affection for their horse and the rider’s skill is knowing how hard they can work their horse without exceeding a safe level.
Endurance riding in Australia includes 5km Tiny Tots Rides, 10km and 20km Introductory Rides, 40 to 60km Intermediate Rides, and Endurance Rides start at 80km to 160km in one day.
There are also multi-day Marathon Rides up to 400km or more over consecutive days.
The recent Qld State Endurance Championship 160km ride was held at Widgee, near Gympie, and several young local riders were successful in what was a very tough event.
Commencing at midnight, and with a 24 hour maximum time allowed, the 160km course proved to be very challenging and competitive.
Neeve Whittaker, 17yo of Silver Pinch, completed the 160km on El Sharana Sherif in 14:26, to place 1st in the Junior division.
Neeve’s horse also was awarded the Best Conditioned
Horse prize, given to the horse that shows the best recoveries and ability in a ridden workout the following day.
Amelia Best, 13yo from Toowoomba, placed 2nd in the same event, riding 18yo Merlin GG to finish in 15:29.
Another Toowoomba rider, Indi Else, 15yo, placed 4th riding Barakee Holy Tomoly in 16:10. with two more locals, Maggie McNamara, 14yo of Mt Rascal, and Stella Standing, 13yo of Toowoomba, finished the gruelling course in 18:03, placing 7th and 8th.
In the Open division, Sam Long of Top Camp placed 5th on De-Sharvarll El Dakar, who was the top distance endurance horse in Australia in 2023.
All of these young riders train for the exciting sport of Endurance Riding at Splendacrest Stables, Preston.
Stable owner, Jay Randle, said she was thrilled to have the team do so well in the freezing conditions over the weekend, also bringing home the prestigious Timms Team Trophy for 2024.
Splendacrest Stables is the oldest riding school in the Toowoomba region, focusing on beginner lessons for both adults and children.
The best known endurance event in Australia is the Tom Quilty Gold Cup held in a different state each year.
The Quilty event began in 1966 when R. M. Williams wrote to his friend Tom Quilty, a great horseman and cattleman in the Kimberly area of Western Australia.
Williams asked for his support for the 100 miles ride, and Quilty donated $1000 and this was used to make a gold cup, the prize for the winner of the event.
This is a perpetual trophy, and the ride was named the Tom Quilty Gold Cup in his honour with the original Gold Cup now residing in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, in Longreach, Queensland.
This year’s Tom Quilty will be held at Wirrina Cove in South Australia on 18th/19th October.
The young endurance riders from the Splendacrest Stables are following in the proud tradition of Australian horsemanship founded by riders such as R.M. Williams and Tom Quilty.
The Queensland Endurance Riders Association aims to promote and foster the highest ideals of sportsmanship, horsemanship and spirit of endurance riding as embodied in its motto: ‘To complete is to win’.
