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Kaylea Maher
© Sarah Sullivan Photography
Last weekend over 150 endurance riders from as far afield as Osaka in Japan and Mt Martha in Victoria saddled up in Imbil to take on the diverse forestry terrain around the Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex over 40km, 80km and 120km distances.
The Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) event attracted around 400 visitors to the region thanks to families and support crew members joining the riders, adding over 40 per cent to Imbil’s population for the weekend.*
Event host and owner of Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex, Matthew Sample said he was delighted with how the event ? which was oversubscribed ? had gone and congratulated the winners on their exceptional results.
“It was wonderful to have the current Queensland State Champion and Imbil local Kaylea Maher take the win in the lightweight category and Boreen Point resident and 2016 Pat Slater Cup winner Kelsey Irvine take home the middleweight title,” said Mr Sample.
“Kenilworth was also well represented with Leigh Ann Sample taking second in the lightweight category as well as ‘best conditioned’ while her son Matty came in third in the juniors after winner Emma Dimech and runner-up Maeve Paten.”
Emma Dimech
© Sarah Sullivan Photography
“It really was a fantastic weekend and the feedback we’ve had has been really positive from all who were involved. This is the second major event we’ve hosted at the complex and we’re really happy with how it all went.”
“Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex is the only purpose-built endurance venue in Australia and we’ve worked hard to create an environment where the riders can really get the best results ? both for themselves and their horses. I am really proud of how everything came together and we are now looking forward to the next major event in early August when we host FEI 1*, 2* and 3* rides including the Bullio Arabians 2* Trans Tasman Challenge.”
Kelsey Irvine
© Sarah Sullivan Photography
“I’d like to thank the team at Stirling’s and the wonderful support we’ve had from the local community to date. It really helps when we welcome those who travel here from across Australia and overseas as we’d love them to keep coming back to Imbil. Events such as these bring great economic benefit to the region so it’s a win-win for everyone.”
Maurice Gray
© Sarah Sullivan Photography
RESULTS
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120km Elevator AERA Ride
Sunday, 14 May 2017
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JUNIOR
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1st & Best Conditioned
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Emma Dimech, Oakey
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2nd
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Maeve Paten, Pomona
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3rd
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Matty Sample, Kenilworth (son of Leigh Ann below)
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LIGHTWEIGHT
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1st
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Kaylea Maher, Imbil (Current QLD Champion)
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2nd & Best Conditioned
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Leigh Ann Sample, Kenilworth (mother of Matty above)
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3rd
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Shelley & Renae Chapman, Kilkivan (mother & daughter)
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MIDDLEWEIGHT
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1st & Best Conditioned
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Kelsey Irvine, Boreen Point (2016 Pat Slater Cup winner)
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2nd
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Stephen Gray, Coopers Plain, Brisbane
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3rd
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Jamie Green, Hamilton, Brisbane
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HEAVYWEIGHT
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1st Heavyweight & Best Conditioned
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Maurice Gray, Coopers Plain, Brisbane
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Source: Press release
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