It was a record field of endurance horses and riders for the 2025 Bony Mountain Pink Ride for Breast Cancer. ERLE LEVEY was there to capture some of the joy and emotion.
“It’s a great atmosphere – there’s quite a few women who have done endurance and survive breast cancer.”
You are not alone. It’s something so important to those battling an illness such as cancer or any similar diseases.
The Bony Mountain Pink Ride for Breast Cancer is one of those events that provides a welcoming haven for any who have been impacted by this illness – the sufferers, the survivors and their support groups.
Not that endurance horse riders need a special reason or cause to get together and enjoy this sport … one that caters for all ages and in this case has the satisfaction of giving back.
A ride in the Australian countryside with a horse that is so trusting, and taking part among other like-minded enthusiasts – there can be few things better.
The riders responded, with this year’s event attracting the biggest field in the 10-year history of the event.
It was a sea of pink at Bony Mountain with more than 180 horses registered for the ride.
Not only do the riders express their support by dressing in their pink creations but the same attention is paid to their horses.
The Pink Ride is the brainchild of Warwick Trail and Endurance Riders Club secretary Jenny Noffke.
Starting as a one-year event at Maryvale, it has proven so successful that the ride has been held every year since being moved to Bony Mountain.
The ride is named in honour of Anne Jones, a great endurance rider for many many years and secretary of Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) as well as being involved with Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA).
Bony Mountain is held not just in her memory but that of every single woman or man who has passed, so their struggle is not forgotten, Jenny Noffke said.
This is to show that the illness can be beaten and improve life. Everyone has in one way or another been touched by it.
Today, it is important to recognise the struggle people go through, and the scientists who are working so hard to find a cure.
The pink theme has appealed to a wide range of riders from throughout Queensland.
While the numbers of riders has grown, so has the contributions to breast cancer – now standing at more than $35,000.
Great support has come from Cunningham Polocrosse Club, the venue for the ride, Massie Rural Fire Service and QERA.
ENJOYABLE AND EMOTIONAL
Where the heck is Bony Mountain? A little bit west of Warwick, south of Toowoomba, east of Inglewood and north of Kyogle.
It’s a great location – far enough away to be Australian bush and close enough to be near a town.
It was a sea of pink as riders made their way through fields of golden milo crops and the green of grazing properties.
There is a sense of fun as the ride is seen as a starter for the endurance season.
It is not a competitive ride but simply riders setting personal goals and preparing their horses for the year ahead.
Riders are also starting the preparation process for the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, to be held at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre at Imbil.
Bony Mountain sees riders dress in pink and decorate their horses … a zebra that became an Indian paint, angels with wings, strawberry fields, leis on the horses as well as riders, the pink breast cancer ribbon symbol painted on the hind quarters of the horses.
It’s an acknowledgement of the impact of breast cancer on society but also an expression of their commitment … a demonstration of their support for something that every person, every family, every circle of friends is touched by in some way.
The theme and the dress-up creates an atmosphere of hope and that their efforts will help keep it on the agenda.
The result is a very welcoming and supportive atmosphere, held at one of the more interesting venues – the grounds for the ride base are well cared for, and the committee of volunteers is hard-working as well as welcoming.
QERA president Dick Collyer said Bony Mountain provided a good track, a blending of sealed road, gravel, sand and grass through mainly flat and at times undulating country.
“It’s a good experience for the horses to get used to the travel needed to get to an event – from Bundaberg and from the central coast of New South Wales.’’
“Endurance is seeing strong growth in junior riders and newcomers to the sport, with increased numbers participating in the 6km, 10km and 20km introductory rides.
“The 40km events are also proving popular as riders make their way through the intermediate program.’’
Riders in different categories are then eligible to compete in open rides of 80km, 160km and the 320km marathon.
Juniors are aged up to 17 years of age and the year they turn 18, from then on they are regarded as open riders.
“It feels like home,’’ riders say about Bony Mountain. “It’s not competitive. You’re achieving your personal best and gaining a wider perspective of the sport and of life.’’
For Dick Collyer it’s personally heart-warming to see how supportive people have been of the ride and of each other.
“They have been very forthcoming. It’s not about being the first to finish the course … just completing it, that’s a tough enough challenge.
“For some people, a 20km ride is a big ride. For others, you can challenge yourself at all different levels.
“Riding with friends, spending time on their horses, taking time out in the bush riding – there’s an edge in which your horse has to be passed fit by the vets and you have to look after it.’’
The love and the care given to these horses is quite amazing. When you sit at ride base of a morning and watch them walk past in the sunrise exercising you see how connected they are. An unconditional bond has been created, built on trust and understanding.
For accomplished rider Karen Winkel it’s not just a journey of supporting breast cancer and the survivors.
“I’m taking my life into my hands riding a horse,’’ she laughed. “This one has only been broken in for a little more than three weeks … and I’m getting a hip replacement in a couple of weeks.’’
Tracy Kirby has supported it for eight years and said it was “a great atmosphere – there’s quite a few women who have done endurance and survive breast cancer.’’
For Steve Gray and Noah Hoogland it is good way to support the cancer ride as it is always a friendly atmosphere.
On ride day, after the veterinary checks are completed it is time for the riders to set off.
There’s a sense of anticipation but also one of taking part in something that’s significant.
It’s not necessarily about finding a cure for breast cancer, as one of the participant riders described, but about keeping cancer and breast cancer on the agenda in order to continue driving for better outcomes for people who go through this with their families.
This ride is a reminder in how far medical science and general well-being has come to create an atmosphere that is inclusive and transparent about this illness.
Through it all, horses give some sense of certainty in an uncertain world.
BLUE RIDE FOR MEN’S HEALTH
It was to be held late last year but wet weather saw the postponement of the inaugural Blue Ride for Men’s Health.
Now set to take place at Kilkivan on March 22-23, the event will see a 10km, two 20km; two 40km; and an 80km ride.
