The sleepless nights of organisers, riders, and volunteers paid off with the successful Endurance Ride event held over the Anzac weekend. 200 riders from all over the country and New Zealand took part, which was a qualifier for the Tom Quilty Gold Cup Australian Championships to be held at Colo on the June Long Weekend.
Courses at the event ranged from 20 km to 160 km, and 9 riders qualified for the Australian Championships.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” said Harden Murrumburrah Endurance Riders Association President, Gordon Smith. “We even had a local, Dean Hodkinson, qualify for the Australian Championships. He has only been riding for 12 months.”
Beginning at Newington Woolshed, the event kicked off at midnight on Saturday night, with competitors in the 160 km course departing first.
The Overall Winner and Middleweight winner was Courtney Freeman of Oberon, riding Cedar Ridge Carbine.
In the Heavyweight Division, Frank Mollema of Bathurst took the honours, riding Littlebanks Crystal Wings.
Fia Hasko-Stewart of Canberra won the Lightweight Division on Brookleigh Shiralee, whilst the Junior winner was 11 year old Alison Noble of Victoria atop Menora Moondance. Alison also qualified for the Australian Championships, in her fourth attempt to do so.
Local horsewoman Kristie Wright and her horse ‘Coolahlee Park Walsha’ (pictured) took out the Light Weight Division in the 80km event. Kristie’s partner, Dean Hodkinson, managed 3rd place in the Heavy Weight Division on his horse ‘Lydia Te’ at his first ever 160km event.
Kristie said “It is a very long way I’m so proud of Dean and his horse. The Smith family did a wonderful job organising the event and working over the weekend. The O’Connor family provided the competitors with a beautiful property for the course.”
The Harden Murrumburrah Endurance Riders Association would like to thank Ken Baldry of Wallendoon East, the O’Connor family of Oxton Park, John Chapman of Lynwood, David Thorn of Milby and Darren Sargent of Rockview.
The Association also extends its gratitude to the sponsors of the event, Ambos Stockfeeds, John de Le Arabians, South West Slopes Credit Union, Osa Arabians, Mackinder Endurance, Al Jeda Endurance and RP Peisley Livestock Transport.
“We couldn’t have done this event without the help of property owners, sponsors and volunteers,” said Gordon.
“We had a lot of volunteers on the gates, and barbecuing, I’d especially like to thank Barry McCormack for donating the use of his fire truck for water, and Gabriella Dede, who ran the canteen.”
“Furthermore, I would like to thank the travelling public, who very courteous to the horses.”
