The Gympie-South Burnett Region is making a name for itself in endurance riding. ERLE LEVEY takes a look at the latest events and the impact it is having on the community as well as the horse-riding fraternity.
“It was a technical track but there were so many smiling faces among the volunteers to help us on the course.’’
Endurance horse riding in the Gympie-South Burnett region is taking a big step forward this season with new events being added to the calendar as well as hosting the state championships.
The Biggenden Endurance Ride at the weekend provided competitors with the chance to improve both their stamina and that of their horses.
Yet it also showed what country towns are capable of in hosting such events, and a reminder of the importance the support of people and businesses in the community provide.
It underlines how the charm of our towns and the beauty of the Australian bush provide the basis for such events that capture the imagination.
First Wondai and now Kilkivan have been added to the 2024 calendar. Both are in September and follow the Queensland State Championships to be held at Widgee in July.
The events provide for a lead-up to the 2024 Tom Quilty Gold Cup to be held in South Australia.
Regarded as Australia’s premier national endurance event, the Tom Quilty sees horse and rider complete 160km in 24 hours.
A strong contingent of riders from the Gympie and South Burnett are expected to compete at the event.
The strength of endurance horse riding in the Gympie region and the quality of the infrastructure in place has seen Stirlings Crossing Endurance Centre at Imbil again named as the host club for the 2026 Tom Quilty.
This is the third time in eight years it will be held at the venue, having hosted it in 2019 as Queensland’s preferred venue and stepping up in 2023 when Victoria was unable to hold the event.
Tasmania will host the 2025 Tom Quilty, that sees the event held on a rotational basis among the Australian states.
The Queensland State Championships at Widgee in July will be an important event for horses and riders in preparations for South Australia.
BIGGENDEN RIDE SUCCESS
The Biggenden Endurance Ride provided a hit-out for competitors in the lead-up to the 2024 Queensland State Championships.
With the majestic Mount Walsh National Park in the background, the Biggenden ride saw 70 entries in the three events – 80km, 40km and 20km.
In such a tranquil setting, you realise the more you follow endurance horse-riding the more fascinating it becomes.
Is it a sport or is it a pastime? Once you go beyond that you realise there are so many different facets to it – the commitment and the dedication that is needed for breeding, training, riding and showing horses.
Then there’s the care and understanding of individual horses, and the breeding process to improve the bloodlines to match the requirements of endurance.
The horses – just like the riders – need to build up to a certain stamina and fitness to complete the events and then recover afterwards.
There’s the temperament of the horses to appreciate – the connection between rider and horses has to be seen.
Dedication is required to improve the horses through regular exercise to bring them up to a standard to compete over the different lengths of rides, and to reduce their anxiety.
Sometimes that can be accomplished with a companion horse and with the familiarity of the people you ride with.
Then there is the investment – to start the bloodline off, the investment in equipment for saddlery, the training facilities, the feed and the mineral supplements.
There is the capital outlay for trucks, trailers or floats to get the horses to events, as well as the investment in fuel and time.
In the end, there is virtually no prize-money in endurance … the rewards come from the acknowledgement of an event well ridden, and of prizes such as rugs, feed and equipment to compensate.
For many of the participants it is their life or livelihood, whether through breeding horses, retail or services such as equine therapy and physio.
Every day you need to exercise the horse. You need to maintain its diet, and for it to have a life in the paddocks with other horses
That care always comes first. You will see riders or strappers heading out at daybreak to walk their horses, making sure they’re warmed up for the day to avoid injury and have them in good shape for the ride ahead.
Part of the beauty of the sport is to embrace the lifestyle – camping under the stars, waking up with the frost over the swag.
Another facet of being with horses it that it can be therapeutic in terms of the health benefits of riding to recover or overcome either physical or mental injury.
This has been shown by the riding for the disabled centres.
One of the admirable traits of endurance riding is the inclusion of all ages and the participation across generations in families.
It’s so heartwarming to see parents supporting their children, to see them progress in this sport and complete.
There is a competition. There’s also the pride involved in the progression through the ride distances, being able to demonstrate that your horse is fit and well cared-for so as to be able to make the distance.
Yet it’s rewarding to see that as a rider – or your children as riders – have developed a resilience and strength, and an overall level of sportsmanship to not only complete the ride but support others out on the track.
In short, it shows there is no greater love a rider has than that for the horse … and possibly from the horse in return.
BIGGENDEN RESULTS
The Biggenden ride saw perfect riding conditions with a fine day and cool night, that had the benefit of a half moon.
Starting on Saturday afternoon and finishing that night, there were 42 entries in the 80km event for a 78 percent completion.
Virginia Barber of Mainstreme Endurance at Wondai had a spirited ride on Fevers Frederique to take line honours, first lightweight and best conditioned horse for that division in a time of 3:59:00.
“It took a while to sort out some anxiety and behavioural issues,’’ Virginia said, “and let him do what he has wanted to do for a long time – just go.
“It was a technical track but there were so many smiling faces among the volunteers to help us on the course.’’
David Urquhart from the Stride Ahead Team at Maryvale took out the middleweight division and best conditioned horse on Bremervale Philadelphia.
Matt Sample was winner of the heavyweight division, with his horse Stirling’s Hutcho also best conditioned.
In the juniors, Indi Else won the division and best conditioned horse riding Barakee Holy Tomoly.
Ella Stanton, riding Boonara Red Fire, was second junior and winner of the Ken Smith Memorial Trophy Encouragement Award, selected by the veterinarian team.
80KM EVENT
Heavyweight: 1. Matthew Sample, Stirling’s Hutcho, (best conditioned), 5:00:00. 2. Olly Lochtenberg, Widgerry El-Grande. 3. Abraham De Klerk, Flemingo Dr Mysterio.
Middleweight: 1. David Urquhart, Bremervale Philadelphia, (BC), 4:50:00. 2. Case Clarke, Baby Boo. 3. Debbie Forsdike, Brecon Beautide.
Lightweight: Virginia Barber, Fevers Frederique, (BC), 3:59:00. 2. Ute Jordan, Ayla Emira. 3. Aanja Hamelink, Picnic Park Klassiqua.
Junior: 1. Indi Else, Barakee Holy Tomoly, (BC), 6:09:00. 2. Ella Stanton, Boonara Red Fire. 3. Neeve Whittaker, Drumlin Joker.
The 40km intermediate ride saw 20 starters and 95 percent completion, while the 20k introductory ride saw eight starters and 100 percent completion.
