With the Queensland Endurance Riders Association State Championships coming up, the Wunderful Widgee event proved highly beneficial in the preparation for horses and riders. ERLE LEVEY was there to capture their progress.
It was a wonderful opportunity for endurance horse riders to prepare for the Queensland State Championships, but also plan further ahead for national and international events.
Wunderful Widgee 2025 provided excellent conditions for riders in both the Federation Equestrian International (FEI ) and Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) to bring their horses to qualify for events such as the State Championships at Imbil in July, and the World Cup, to be held in Romania later this year.
The Widgee weekend saw seven rides offered and 100 nominations that resulted in strong performances by some young and emerging riders.
The courses, set over a variety of trails that included state forestry as well as across private property and along roadsides, showed how much the Widgee club has developed since hosting the State Championships last year.
The trails have been further improved and the volunteer numbers increased in what is a beautiful rural setting with good infrastructure and facilities at the sports grounds which served as ride base.
Some riders were happy to have a freshen-up outing following the journey back from Tasmania after competing in the 2025 Tom Quilty Gold Cup, a 160km ride regarded as Australia’s premier endurance event.
The ferry across Bass Strait and drive home to Queensland took at least four to six days.
The Queensland State Championships are to be held at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre at Imbil on 11-14 July and will include FEI rides.
There will be 40km and 80km AERA rides on Saturday as well as two FEI rides – a one-star 100km and two-star 120km. A 160km AERA ride will be on the Sunday together with an FEI three-star 160km.
At the back of riders minds is the TQ26 to be held at Stirling’s Crossing in July next year.
Widgee is considered a good track for riders to prepare for the State Championships as it provides a 120km ride. This helps both horses and riders to improve condition and qualify for the longer rides.
It is a matter of successfully working up through the distances to show that both horses and riders are capable of completing the rides.
The welfare of horses is of utmost concern, with veterinarian checks every 40km a stipulation so as to decide whether they are physically sound to continue.
Extended periods of rain and flooding have meant it has been a slow start to the equestrian season in some areas, notably the Northern Rivers of New South Wales which has had few rides. It has been much the same in Western Queensland with some rides cancelled because of the wet weather.
“It’s been a bit of a challenge,’’ AERA secretary Kim Moir said. “The FEI numbers at Widgee were particularly impacted by the floods in the New South Wales and Queensland.
“While Widgee has always been a popular ride it is also recognised as being technically challenging.
“This was the first time the committee had ventured into hosting FEI and they have to comply with international regulations as well as AERA.
“They have displayed tremendous commitment to keep the ride going, and to build on it.’’
The FEI operates under separate guidelines in which riders and horses are qualifying for international competition.
The horse and rider have to qualify as a team and that requires a certain number of rides together – the horses have to qualify for the distances as well as the rider.
Having a well-prepared horse and good rider goes a long way towards qualification. It encourages riders to know the horses, so they handle them well.
WIDGEE RESULTS
Maryborough rider Jarrah Kelly, who turns 18 this year, took out first place in the lightweight division at Widgee riding Bendinni Rafiki, also judged best conditioned horse in the 120km ride.
It was Jarrah’s first win as an open rider, having been riding since 2021 and who is known for always being very aware and safe on a horse.
There were a number of training rides before completing her first 80km, riding Picnic Park Smart Return – a win in the junior division at Rockybar, Central Queensland, in 2022.
Jarrah followed that up by winning the junior division for 80km at Biggenden in 2022 and 2023. She was riding Bendinni Rafiki – the same horse as at Widgee.
Finishing second lightweight in the 2025 Far-A-Way 320km marathon at Easter this year established Jarrah as a serious rider.
This was after completing the 2024 Tom Quilty Gold Cup in South Australia, finishing ninth in the junior division.
Equal winner of the 2025 Tom Quilty in Tasmania, Nikki Sample of Imbil continued her form in the 120km two-star open ride, again on Razorback Kellys Fire.
Second was Jemma Touzell on Bullio Parabellum, and third Samantha Yates riding Ausden Prince Mahal.
Shelley Chapman completed the 100km on-star ride on Drusilla te.
In FEI events youth or junior riders can be up to age 21 and no younger than 14 years.
The FEI two-star youth ride of 120km saw Indi Else and Charlotte Williamson both qualify with their horses for the world championships later this year in Romania.
Indi was placed first with Shazaam, which was also awarded the best conditioned horse, with Charlotte placed second on De-Sharvarll El Dakar, and awarded the vet’s choice prize.
The 100km one-star youth event was won by Indra Hofstee, riding Royal Rose Malibu, with Isla Mutch on Splendacrest Clara in second place, Amelia Best in third place on Steel, and Maggie McNamara, fourth, riding Maverick.
In the AERA 120km elevator ride, entrants can complete 80km then decide whether to continue for the extra legs.
They can do the distance they feel the horse is set for, given the conditions on the day. In that way they can determine how well the horse is travelling and choose whether to continue.
Kylie Attwater and Gamaal completed 100km in the heavyweight division while a further six riders completed 80km.
In the middleweight division there were 21 nominations with local rider Lee Bannister and Moonlight Shimmah the winners.
That combination won the 80km ride at Far-A-Way over Easter this year and that was the first win for the horse.
Second middleweight was Emilie Jensen riding Beersheva Djeishah, with Louis Ryan and Kholonial Razzamatazz in third place.
With Jarrah Kelly and Bendinni Rafiki winning the lightweight division, it was Clare Fleming and Duray Spartakos in second, Pandora Bevan on My Fair Lady in third, and Charlotte Irwin riding Cedarton Sh’Tarn in fourth.
The junior division was won by Aiden Barker, riding Angelina Piccola.
WORLD CUP TEAM
Endurance Australia has announced the youth team to compete at the 2025 World Cup to be held in Romania.
Indi Else and Splendacrest Clara; Poppy Kettlewell and Oso Irazu; Eadie McWilliam and Larntainey Silver Treasure; Charlotte Williamson and De Sharvarll El Dakar.
The reserve teamings see Indi Else and Charlotte Williamson both having qualified with Shazaam.
