The sport of endurance horse riding is about completing the course, so a bond needs to be created between horse and rider in order to succeed. ERLE LEVEY was at Kilkivan to witness the way in which this partnership plays out.
“That’s the reason you ride a horse … endurance teaches you so much about them. You have to care for the horse, that’s number one – you have to put the time in.”
With endurance riding, it’s very much about time in the saddle and caring for the horse.
Riders need to connect with their mount – not for a matter of seconds or minutes. Instead, rides can vary from a matter of hours to days at a time.
A 160km ride allows 24 hours for completion, for a 320km marathon it is three days, and a 400km ride is over four days.
The philosophy of the sport is “to complete is to succeed.’’
Each rider who successfully completes the course has achieved their personal goal. To win the various weight divisions is an added bonus.
Such are the requirements for horse safety that it is only when riders finish the course and their horse is judged healthy and fit enough to continue even further that they are considered to have completed the ride.
What stands out in the sport is the way in which young riders are often encouraged by mentors as well as fellow participants.
Such has been the case of three young girls who had a wonderful ride at Kilkivan.
They have been part of Jay Randle’s Splendacrest Stables on the Darling Downs.
There are always young riders coming through, just as Jay is bringing horses up to qualifying distances.
“It takes three years to make a rider,’’ Jay said, “… about the same time it takes to ready an endurance horse.
“I put them on gentle horses to start with – to learn the sport on a reliable mount.
“When the riders leave juniors and start competing as open riders we put them on a novice horse. That way they are teaching the new horse what they have learned.
“They need to be able to read a horse properly.’’
Horse riding, Jay said, has to be enjoyable, and that sees the Splendacrest girls having fun together – whether riding around the hills or having picnic lunches. In short, they learn to ride properly.
“That’s the reason you ride a horse … endurance teaches you so much about them.
“You have to care for the horse, that’s number one – you have to put the time in.’’
QUILTY QUALIFIER
Kilkivan was a wonderful opportunity for young riders and horses to come through … a good preparation for the rest of this season but mainly for 2026 and beyond that.
It was billed as a “Quilty Qualifier’’ – designed for anyone wanting a 160km opportunity in order to be accepted for the TQ 2026 at Imbil. on July 4.
In the Kilkivan 160km event it was 17-year-old Indi Else who took line honours and won the junior division.
Equal second in the juniors were Maggie McNamara and Bridget Pedracini.
All have come through similar backgrounds in learning horsemanship, and are embarking on inspirational journeys.
At the core of endurance is the long-term welfare and partnership between horse and rider.
What is needed is careful pacing, horse management, and mutual fitness – this is in order to achieve the distance goals.
Riders, like horses, need to show they are capable of completing distances in order to progress to the next level.
The sport involves riders being able to adapt to terrain that can vary from rolling country to rocky and steep hills, from open grassland to forest trails.
Riders must ensure the horse’s recovery and well-being through veterinary checks that are mandated every 40km.
The philosophy extends beyond speed to developing a deep partnership – one that builds resilience, awareness and the ability to overcome any issues that may arise.
UNDERSTANDING THE HORSE
At Kilkivan, Indi Else was riding a horse from Jay’s Spendacrest Stables.
Beersheva Djeishah is a nine-year old mare out of Djehlbi, a horse that Jay said was widely regarded as the fastest Purebred Arabian in Australia – and Keisha, the fastest Arabian mare.
Speaking after the successful vet check at the end of 160km, Jay said that Indi was thrilled with the ride.
Yet a horse that has such breeding comes with its own temperament and it is up to the rider, as well as those in the team, to understand that – and work out the best way to let the horse find its true potential.
“Tilly – the stable name for Beersheva Djeishah – is very fast,’’ Jay said. “And the next step will be in early October at the New South Wales State Championships.
“They will be held at Bullio in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
“Indi will be doing the Federation International Equestrian (FEI) ride to qualify for the World Youth Championships in two years’ time.’’
STARTING THE JOURNEY
Witnessing Indi Else and the fellow young riders come through the junior ranks with Splendacrest, it is remarkable to see the pathways they are following.
Charlotte Williamson has experienced world travel and then rode in France recently. She now works with horses at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre at Imbil.
Neeve Whittaker has her own horse, Drumlin History, and is studying biomedical science.
As well as a first place in the lightweight division of the 80km Murrumba Purple Ride for Dementia, Neeve had similar success at the Hip Pocket Challenge at Southbrook on the Darling Downs, and before that at Biggenden.
At age 17, Indi is the youngest of the three and is training at a veterinary clinic.
This is her last year as a junior rider, Jay said, and she will be competing as a lightweight at the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup at Stirling’s Crossing.
The Tom Quilty is regarded as Australia’s premier endurance event and is 160km, with riders eager to be awarded a commemorative belt buckle for completing the ride.
Indi has already earned a Quilty buckle after a successful ride at Imbil in 2023.
Maggie McNamara and Charlotte Williamson will also be competing in the two star (120km) ride at the New South Wales State Championships, while Samantha Yates – another Splendacrest rider – will be doing a three star (160km) ride.
Jay said that with a mare such as Tilly, the intention was for the rider to go out in front as a challenge for the horse.
“It takes time to make an endurance horse. You need to bring them through slowly.’’
As a four-year-old, Tilly has now completed two 160km rides – at Kilkivan, and last year at Inglewood where she was ridden in Endurafest to a place with the Malaysian team.
“This was the first time Indi has ridden her in a competition,’’ Jay said. “I would like Indi to qualify for the World Titles in 2027 on her.
“We are always preparing young horses and riders. Kilkivan was a good opportunity and they came in really well.
“On the final 23km loop we decided to see what Tilly could do.
“Indi rode to instruction and did everything well.’’
BRED TO SUCCEED
Djehlbi, the stallion that sired Beersheva Djeishah, was a French import that went to New Zealand, Jay said, and spent some years there.
He then raced in Arabian horse racing here in Australia.
“The only horse that could keep up with him was my mare,’’ Jay said.
“He was fastest male Arabian in Australia, and my horse was the fastest mare.
“They would regularly share the honours at races.’’
Arabian horse races were generally over 1100m and 1600m distances, Jay said.
Two of the races were at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne.
As owners of the two horses, they agreed that if the progeny was a colt then Jay would get it. If it was a filly, the stallion owner would get it.
As it turned out it was a filly and Jay was to get a rebreed. However, her mare died and they never got the second horse.
Jay did get the first option when the stallion owner decided to sell, and that was how she ended up with the Djhelbie foal out of Keisha.
THE CONNECTIONS CONTINUE
For 15-year-old Bridget Pedracini it was wonderful to ride at Kilkivan and be with her friends again.
Having learned to ride on the Darling Downs, Bridget now lives in Far North Queensland, where her family has a property at Charters Towers.
As such, she does not have access to many rides as a junior.
Yet she has kept in touch with her Splendacrest friends and the Kilkivan ride was part of a journey that took the family on to the Shahzada endurance ride at St Albans in the Upper Hawkesbury region of New South Wales.
Kilkivan was her first attempt at 160km, having just become an open rider.
Maggie McNamara rode with her around the course – it was Maggie’s second 160 and she will ride in the TQ 2026.
They have been pen pals over the distance – almost 1200km – between them.
Bridget’s mother Rhonda rode for Jay at Splendacrest 25 years ago, then they moved north and have been breeding horses.
“Bridg has been raised on some big cattle stations,’’ Jay said.
“Her first 80km ride was at Biggenden and her second was the Pioneer Trek on the Atherton Tablelands.’’
Between the ages of two and four years, Bridget completed a few 5km rides with Splendacrest, graduating to 20km rides at eight years old. Over the following six years she gained experience in many 20km and micro-marathon events, taking advantage of her mother’s forward-thinking in regard to endurance breeding efforts.
“Rhonda’s home-bred horses got Bridg hooked,’’ Jay said, “but a couple of months ago she decided to spread her wings and get started on the journey towards TQ 2026.
“This meant that she needed a good program to follow, and a few rides to get to and to complete.’’
A plan was put into action that involved a young mare being brought down from North Queensland to Splendacrest to get the training needed to become Bridg’s future partner.
In return one of the older, experienced Splendacrest endurance horses was provided to her in order to get a couple of 80km rides out of the way. After successful 80km completions at Biggenden, and the Pioneer Trek, Bridget eventually returned to South East Queensland to ride her own young mare Valkyrie in the 80km at Imbil in July.
As an open rider, it was time to consider a 160km … and there was the Kilkivan ride just waiting for her.
Rhonda and husband Cleve had decided to give their daughters Bridget and Rejina every opportunity to do well.
That saw them plan for the Shazada mini marathon in New South Wales as a great adventure for the family.
So off they set with three horses in tow, from Charters Towers to St Albans, with a ride at Kilkivan on the way.
Bridget rode her selected mount, Splendacrest Clara, a couple of times beforehand and was ready for the midnight start on the Friday.
Just short of 16 riding hours later, they both finished in equal second place.
Both horses had been strong all day, and the final vet check was perfect.
And that is essentially what endurance riding is about – teaching people of the need for the care and welfare of the horse.
The ongoing connections and opportunities that open up are a reminder of how valuable mentors and fellow riders can be to the future of endurance riding.
Not only that, the encouragement and knowledge gained in endurance can impact and provide inspiration for these young lives.
KILKIVAN RESULTS
There were 89 nominations for four rides over the weekend – 160km, 80km, 42km and 20km.
160KM EVENT
Heavyweight: 1. Andrea Dunsby, Charmston, 15 hours 55 minutes 17 seconds.
Lightweight: 1. Ute Jordan, Bullio Pilot, 13:28:03; 2. Eadie McWilliam, Drusilla te; 3. Mindy Gadsby, Melcot Santini.
Junior: 1. Indi Else, Beersheva Djeishah, 13:11:01; 2. Maggie McNamara, Maverick; 2. Bridget Pedracini, Splendacrest Clara.
84KM EVENT
Heavyweight: 1. Shane Butler, Ransome Ruby Slippers, 6:31:09; 2. Aaron Dymock, Brookleigh Sa’di. 3. Olly Lochtenberg, Widgerry Dayzee.
Middleweight: 1. Emma Crabtree, Shanelli-Park Budahl, 5:35:45; 2. Steve Gray, Bluedawn Amir; 3. Christopher Schofield, Fortaleza Abbe Rose. Lightweight: 1. Emma Shone, Brookleigh Syria, 5:32:27; 2. Sue Sutcliffe, En-Theos Zhivago; 3. Janelle Taylor, Calico Jarkamarn.
Junior: 1. Taylor Grogan, Anastazia VA, 7:02:43; 2. Lilly Stephens, Cedar Glen Nala.
42KM
30 nominations with 86.67 percent completion rate.
