Kilkivan has a long history with horses, as an agricultural background to being at the heart of the National Trail that stretches from Cooktown to Melbourne. Now endurance horse riding has returned to the town and ERLE LEVEY was there to capture the moment.
“The track was simple but simply enjoyable and the kilometres just flew by.“
It felt like the start of summer instead of the first month of spring.
The day was warm, thunderstorms were rolling in on the Sunshine Coast and up at Hervey Bay.
Yet the course was picturesque – undulating with plenty of cover from the gum trees along the roadside.
The Kilkivan Endurance Ride was held in beautiful conditions, with a northerly breeze to keep the temperature down.
There were good numbers for this, the first Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) ride at the town since 2018.
A promotional event was held earlier this year as part of the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride. It was to gauge what interest there was for endurance in a community with strong historical ties to horses.
Not only have horses been part and parcel of the rich agricultural background of the area but Kilkivan was at the heart of the launch of the National Trail, stretching more than 5000km from Cooktown to Melbourne.
The project was part of Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988.
The level of interest in endurance at this year’s event was very encouraging with 77 participants in the four rides offered in what was to be the final QERA ride of 2024.
It was also the final ride before participants head off to South Australia this month for the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, regarded as Australia’s premier endurance horse ride.
The response – and the way the Kilkivan ride was held – is sure to put it on the QERA calendar for next year.
Yet it has also prompted QERA to hold another ride at Kilkivan this year – a Blue Ride for Men’s Health.
To be held on November 16, it will be a fund-raiser for prostate cancer awareness.
It follows the success over recent years of the Bony Mountain Pink Ride for Breast Cancer at the start of the season.
The Kilkivan ride late last month was an event for all ages and abilities – 10km and 20km introductory rides, 40km intermediate and 80km endurance rides.
Ride organiser Craig Ellison said the dry conditions were welcome, with shade trees along the road side, good watering points and an able band of volunteers.
The course was through O’Donoghue‘s property onto Running Creek Road then to the 20km mark, and return to the showgrounds.
The 80km event attracted 46 riders with a 76 percent completion rate of the two loops of the course.
Line honours and first middleweight was Brook Sample of Kenilworth, riding Brookleigh Sage in a time of 5:04:50; from Natasha Thackwray on Shakaan, 5:05:18; and Saasha Grogan of Imbil with S’Shaada Material Girl third.
First heavyweight was Abraham De Klerk riding Bangalow Park Coopers Lad in a time of 6:28:27; with Corey Nix on Macrocarpa Red Bull close behind in 6:30:48 (best conditioned horse); and Kylie Attwater, third, on Gamaal.
In the lightweight division Gympie rider Renee Kelso and PVE Remington were first, 6:08:12; with Giulia Ciprino on Shakeel Glow and Brooke Marshall of Carters Ridge riding Thunder Ridge Shadow equal second in 6:29:36, with Shadow announced best conditioned horse.
In the juniors, Amelia Best and Barakee Holy Tomoly were first, 6:25:44, from Ella Stanton on Boonara Dark Ruby, 6:28:05, and Sanjay Nix on Macrocarpa Kaos, 6:30:45 (best conditioned horse).
SUCCESSFUL RETURN
For lightweight division winner Renee Kelso of Gympie, it was a great return to endurance after having time away from competition.
Instead, Renee has been instructing at Widgee Pony Club and coaching an Under 8 junior rugby league team.
“I thought it was a great ride,’’ she said of the course, “… very shady, a few hills but generally flat.
“There were plenty of facilities with water stops for horses and riders.
“The venue itself was well set-up, with the covered arena for vetting.
“It was great for camping with good showers, water points everywhere and grass for the horses to nibble on.’’
Renee was having the year off but it was recently decided to compete in the 2024 Tom Quilty Gold Cup in South Australia later in October.
“I felt I had better do something to get ready for that.’’
Renee’s horse PVE Remington (Remy) is a 10-year-old purebred Arabian that has been doing pony club and jumping at Widgee Pony Club.
Junior rider Bella Brassington was placed second on him in the juniors at the Queensland State Championships 80km section at Widgee this year, when he was awarded best-conditioned horse in that category.
Bella’s horse was injured while being unloaded from the float at Widgee so Renee grabbed Remy from the paddock at Gympie and got him ready for the ride.
Remy is a seasoned horse, show bred and having done picnic races as well.
MEMORIES FLOOD BACK
For Brooke Marshall of Thunder Ridge Equestrian at Carters Ridge, it was another amazing weekend for the 80km event.
The 2pm start was hot but overall the team had a heap of fun.
Giulia Ciprino partnered Shakeel Glow, and Brooke was on Thunder Ridge Shadow.
“The track was simple but simply enjoyable and the kilometres just flew by,’’ Brooke said.
“These horses did incredibly well and amazed us the entire way with their constant drinking, eating and enthusiasm to keep moving.
“Seriously, probably our least stressful and most fun event all year.
“Both boys achieved perfect scores with nice, clean vetting and at the end brought us home for equal second lightweight, with Shadow also achieving best conditioned horse in that division.
“Thanks to Kilkivan Endurance Riders Club for hosting this event. It’s been 13 years since I competed here and brings back so many memories.’’
FATHER AND SON DOUBLE
For the Nix family it was great to be back on the Kilkivan tracks and using the fantastic facilities at the showgrounds.
They were able to come away from the ride with two best conditioned horse awards.
It was a matter of father and son, riding father and son.
Corey on Macrocarpa Red Bull (Chip Chase Sadaqa/Razorback Blue Rhapsody) and Sanjay on Macrocarpa Kaos (Macrocarpa Red Bull/Blythswood Nefitari).
This was a first best conditioned for both Sanjay and Kaos.
BLUE RIDE ON THE CALENDAR
Queensland Endurance Riders Association is delighted to announce that the Kilkivan Endurance Riders Club will host the Blue Ride raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues.
This will be the last ride of the 2024 season.
It is to be held on Saturday, 16 November, with rides scheduled for the afternoon but times to be confirmed.
There will be a monster raffle with all proceeds going to research into prostate cancer treatment and prevention.
The raffle will be drawn on Sunday morning at the award presentations.
The ride will be in line with Movember and the growing of a moustache as a sign of being united in the battle to take on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
QERA’s “Movember“ competition has started, with fully flourished moustaches to be judged on 16 November by a panel of females – product is allowed to present any ’mo’ to its best.
There will also be a prize for best presented horse and rider at pre-ride vetting – selected attire or decorations should be within what would be considered reasonable for public display at a family oriented sport.
QUEENSLAND TEAM ANNOUNCED
QERA has announce the team that will represent Queensland at the Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2024 later this month in South Australia.
Selectors had a number of very meritorious candidates to choose from and Gympie-Burnett riders are strongly represented.
The team selected is:
Grant Jocumsen and GJ Horsemanship Tango (Gympie);
Virginia Barber and Fevers Frederique (Wondai);
Shelley Chapman and Harry Who Te (Kilkivan);
Neeve Whittaker and El Sharanah Sharif (Toowoomba);
Saasha Grogan and S’Shaada Material Girl (Imbil) as reserve.
