It’s the final 80km endurance horse riding event of the year for Queensland and it had everything – riding for points, riding to win, riding to qualify for events in 2026.
Through it all, the Far-A-Way Riders Association had to contend with the thunderstorms threatening much of South East Queensland and the Wide Bay-Burnett.
Lighting the night sky was the biggest and brightest full moon of the year that was just a few days away.
The Far-A-Way Sparkler, based at Imbil Showgrounds, allowed riders to complete another 80km event on the road to qualifying for the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, to be held in July at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex at Imbil.
As well as an 80km ride, there was 40km and a 24km introductory ride for the 42 nominations.
Start times were initially set for 2pm on the Saturday but the storm warnings for much of South East Queensland initially pushed that back to 4pm.
The storms that had been circling finally hit at sunset on the Friday and start times were re-set as 2am Sunday for the 80km, through to 6am for the 24km.
However, the “killer’’ storm predicted for Saturday evening failed to eventuate at Imbil.
There was still a storm presence but conditions were generally fine for the ride.
Once the sun came up over the ranges the humidity started to increase. Yet the overnight rain had softened the track, making it less percussive for the horses.
One of the challenges facing any ride organiser is risk management – it can be interference from dogs, wild pigs, cars, motor bikes, cattle and other horses. So it’s a matter of how do you manage it?
It doesn’t matter what type of outdoor event it is – music festivals, golf, football, surfing – it’s always a hard call.
A lot of things were happening over a wide area, Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) secretary Kim Moir said, from the Darling Downs to the Wide Bay-Burnett and Central Queensland.
“We’ve had rides stopped and delayed in the past.
“The feedback from those who competed was good.
“Some riders decided beforehand not to travel.
“Meanwhile, the midday finish on Sunday clashed with prior arrangements of some riders.”
Competitors said the track was excellent and that the overnight rain had softened it up nicely.
The course that had been set was commended, being nice underfoot and a good mix of hills and flatter sections that riders could move through quite nicely.
The committee was praised for their communication for the event and that it was difficult making decisions in quickly-changing conditions.
The 80km event saw 28 entries and an 82 percent completion.
Middleweight and overall winner was Petria Haigh, riding Amarin Brindi in a time of five hours, 51 minutes and 18 seconds. The 11-year-old Arabian mare was named best conditioned in the division.
Second middleweight was fellow Flemingo Endurance Arabians rider Sarah Carroll on Flemingo Bomsaway, 6:28:52. Third was Leigh Bannister on Moonlight Shimmah, 6:46:12.
Stanthorpe lightweight rider Suzie Berryman was first home on Kelaray Glamorous – a 13-year-old Arabian mare that had been prepared by young Caloundra rider Indra Hofstee.
Glamour was judged best conditioned horse in the lightweight division and Indra intends to ride her in the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.
Second lightweight was Clare Fleming on Flemingo Diego, 5:51:16. Third was Allix Jones on Macrocarpa Kaos, 6:09:07.
Heavyweight winner was Tony Bateman riding Saifaldin, with a time of 6:29:26 and awarded best conditioned. Tony has been riding since 1996.
In the juniors, it was Sanjay Nix riding Homeleigh Mountain Kosmo who was first with 6:09:20;. Equal second were brother and sister Harrison Grogan on Ramalea Jeronimo, and Taylor Grogan, S’Shaada Material Girl, both recording 7:26:39.
STRONG PERFORMANCES
For lightweight division winner Suzie Berryman of SuJo Horses the final ride of the year almost didn’t happen.
Suzie was in hospital two days previous with a tick infection and had an allergic reaction to it.
“That was why I’ve been feeling sick but Indra put all the work into Glamour this year so I just did the last ride.
“She’s our horse but Indra has been riding her all year.
“Glamour did really well today, but that was due to the work beforehand.
“I’m chasing points and distance … this will be Indra’s horse in the 2026 Tom Quilty.”
For Suzie, it was a matter of riding to the conditions.
“There was no rain on us, although it was around.
“The course was good underfoot – nice and soft. The rain had done that.”
For 18-year-old Indra she was feeling super happy with the result.
She will probably ride middleweight in the 2026 Tom Quilty so will be in the running to win the gold cup.
For second-placed lightweight Clare Fleming of Flemingo Endurance Arabians at Inverell, it was just a matter of consistency and keeping her position.
“It was a bit tough on the second leg as it heated up and we went over to Mitchell Creek. Thankfully, I don’t mind the hills.”
Overall winner of the 80km Petria Haigh said it was a technical course … definitely enjoyable.
“The first leg was a bit stormy but the track was in good condition. The rain had helped, making it less percussive for the horses.
“On the second leg we slowed down because of the heat increasing – especially the humidity in the forest. It was a great ride.”
It was a great result for the Flemingo stable – four horses, 100 percent completion, overall winner, two seconds and all placed in the top 4.
Flemingo has somewhat of a United Nations when it comes to riders – New Zealand, French, Irish, Polish, Spanish, Dutch and Australian.
For Clare, the Sparkler was preparation for the Tom Quilty.
“We’re here for seasoning and conditioning.
“We don’t set out to win points and distance, we’re here to get the horses up in their distance.”
At the 2025 New South Wales Matar and Bullio State Championships, Clare Fleming was placed equal second with Ann Grace – Clare riding Flemingo Dr Mysterio, Ann Grace on Duray Indochine.
Second middleweight at the Sparkler Sarah Carroll has an Irish background and rode Flemingo Bomsaway, the same horse she was placed seventh on at Urbenville recently over 80km.
Sarah had previously won at Widgee in 2022 over 80km on My Name Is Earl.
Third lightweight Alixx Jones on Macrocarpa Kaos won at Windeyer in the NSW mid-west this year in the 100km elevator endurance on Cantali Stella.
Alixx was ninth at Bullio on the same horse, won at Johns River over 80km on Shellal Blood Moon, and won at Eldorado in Victoria in July over 80km on that horse.
Seventeen-year-old Junior rider Sanjay Nix has had a string of successes this season including first at the Shahzada Memorial 400 km marathon on Homeleigh Mountain Khalid’s Komet. He placed third at the 2025 Matar and Bullio State Championships, and won the Queensland State Championships in July.
Sanjay won the 100.0km Elevator Endurance Ride at Windeyer, and was placed first in 80km rides at Urbenville as well as Warwick.
Brother and sister Harrison Grogan, seven, and Taylor, 12, from the Mary Valley finished equal second.
80KM RESULTS
Heavyweight: Tony Bateman riding Saifaldin, 6hours 29minutes 26seconds. Riding since 1996. Best conditioned
Middleweight and overall winner: Petria Haigh, Amarin Brindi, 5:51:18; best conditioned, 2. Sarah Carroll, Flemingo Bomsaway, 6:28:52; 3. Leigh Bannister, Moonlight Shimmah, 6:46:12.
Lightweight: Suzie Berryman, Kelaray Glamorous, 5:37:00; 2. Clare Fleming, Flemingo Diego, 5:51:16; 3. Allix Jones, Macrocarpa Kaos, 6:09:07.
Junior: 1. Sanjay Nix, Homeleigh Mountain Kosmo, 6:09:20; 2.Harrison Grogan, Ramalea Jeronimo, 7:26:39; 2. Taylor Grogan, S’Shaada Material Girl, 7:26:39.
The 40km event saw 12 riders for a 91 percent completion.
In the 24km event nine-year-old Olivia Campbell of Belli Park, rode Burren-Dah On Fire.
It was Olivia’s first ride, and that of the Arabian pony from her grandmother Jill Gregson’s stable.
POINT COMPETITIONS
Endurance riding point competitions in Australia typically award points based on finishing positions in a series of rides and the total distance completed.
Riders earn points for placing in the top positions, with additional points often given for completing more than a minimum distance
QERA also runs its own state point score which is open to all riders and horses that compete in Qld events – including dual affiliated rides – in a given year.
Awards are given for: QERA Points Horse; QERA Points Rider; QERA Distance Horse; QERA Distance Rider; 100 percent Completion Awards.
AWARDS NIGHT
The 2024 QERA annual awards and Christmas party will be held on Saturday, 7 December, at the Royal Hotel, Leyburn.
Ticket sales will be via AERA Online.
There will be a buffet dinner and live music. It promises to be a fun night to celebrate the 2024 QERA endurance season.
www.qldendurance.asn.au/index.php/member-info/awards/annual-awards
