The Stirling’s Classic Endurance Riding event at Imbil on 1-2 August proved a very successful event, with 187 entries for the six-ride program.
Only three weeks previously the Stirling’s Crossing club had hosted the “restart” rides and one week later a similar event was held at Fernvale in the Brisbane River Valley.
It is clear that endurance riders had not lost their passion for the sport during the Covid-19 lockdown. Most were able to train their horses and reach good levels of fitness while observing “isolation” requirements. Covid-19 requirements were strictly enforced at the venue for this weekend.
Horses at endurance rides are carefully monitored by qualified veterinarians for signs of lameness or metabolic stress. If these are observed the competitor is withdrawn even after the finish of a ride. Completion rates in the six rides on the weekend were excellent, mostly in the 80-plus per cent range. Recent light rain had been beneficial as was the cool weather during the two days.
The prime ride on the weekend was the 120 km Stirling’s Classic. The perpetual trophy is awarded to the first to finish irrespective of Rider Divisions.
This year it was Junior Rider Georgie Barber from Daybro riding her mare Concerto.
Concerto received the award for Best Conditioned Horse in the ride. Their riding time was 7 hr 14 minutes. Another Junior Rider, Noah Hoogland, was only two seconds behind Georgie.
Next over the finish line was Matthew Sample, winning the Middleweight Rider Division, and Renee Kelso, winning the Lightweight Rider Division, in a time of 7 hrs 24 minutes. Matthew is the owner of the Equestrian Centre where the event was held. He and his horse Anglesea Finneas had won the same Division at the recent Fernvale event.
It was a very significant weekend for the Sample family. Bob Sample, Matthew’s father began endurance riding in 1970.
He was part of the club organising committee for the weekend event. As well as observing Matthew’s success he watched two of his great grandchildren ride. Harrison, who is four years old, rode 10 km, his first endurance ride. His sister, Taylor, who is seven, completed her first 80 km ride.
Their mother Saasha, Bob’s granddaughter, and her husband Mark rode with Taylor and Harrison. Taylor’s ride started at 2.00 am on Sunday, so the long ride in the dark was a challenge for the seven-year old. Another young Imbil local, six-year old Bella, completed the 10km ride with her parents Kaylea and Akhmed.
Bob’s grandson Matty Sample also completed the 80 km ride as did Bob’s daughter-in-law Leigh Ann.
The many riders travelled from all areas of Southeast Queensland and some from Northern NSW. It was a good attendance for a sport that was so suddenly brought to a stop just before the normally very popular multi-ride Easter Endurance Carnival, also planned for the Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre.
The next event at this venue will be the Queensland Championships on the 2nd-4th October. Imbil has long been an important area for the sport with access to wonderful trails in the adjacent forestry areas.
Junior Trophy Recipients
1st – Georgie Barber and Concerto from Dayboro
2nd – Noah Hoogland and Steel Poppy Hot Chocolate
3rd – Charlotte Williamson and Rodborough Samira
Best Conditioned Horse – Concerto ridden by Georgie Barber
Lightweight Trophy Recipients
1st – Renee Kelso of Gympie riding Bonnie Doon Ashquar
2nd – Amaya Thomas and Gundabah Fairlady
3rd – Janelle Taylor and Calico Jarkaman
Best Conditioned horse – Alexandra Toft and Twilight te from Marburg
Middleweight Trophy Recipients and Sponsors
1st – Matthew Sample and Anglesea Finneas from Imbil
2nd – Akhmed Pshunov and Anglesea Gabriella from Imbil
3rd – Fiona Fenech and Sweet Honesty Molly from Lower Wonga
Best Conditioned Horse – Anglesea Finneas ridden by Matthew Sample
Heavyweight Trophy Recipients
1st – Duncan Woodhead and San Ella Navit
2nd – Matthew Gadsby and Aphrodite Malakia
Best Conditioned Horse – San Ella Navit ridden by Duncan Woodhead
Fittest horse (best condition score any weight division) Concerto ridden by Georgie Barber (The No Regret ‘Banjo’ Cup)
Overall winner – Georgie Barbie and Concerto ALFA Equestrian Rug + No Regret & Kael Park Spanish Arabians Trophy.
