Michelle Slater reports from Australia’s first ever three-day Endurance Carnival in Toorbul, Queensland while Sue Crockett provides some great photos. 

Above: Winner of FEI  120km Open & Best Conditioned horse award went to Nicari Zadah ridden by Courtney Freeman

This innaugural event highlighted the FEI*** 160km Australian National Championships as well the FEI**120km Young Riders World Youth Championships qualifier. There were also rides run under  Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) rules.

Two inches of rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of riders from Japan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and those who travelled with their horses from all states to take part in the massive weekend. Nearly 320 riders attended the carnival with ten separate rides offered, which varied in distances from 20km to 160km.

This event was the first of its kind to be held in Australia and was organised by Peter and Penny Toft from Queensland who are themselves elite international endurance riders. The aim of the weekend was to run an event of the highest standards, which was on par with endurance events held in the UAE.

A giant screen was assembled on the back of a truck to broadcast the action to the ride-base as well as live across the web. The Tofts ensured that no detail was spared. Superb facilities were provided in the form of a first class trot-out area and gourmet food was on offer along with interesting trade stalls to keep the spectators browsing.

It was fitting that RM Williams was a major sponsor. The man was an endurance rider and he began the sport in Australia in the 1960's by introducing the 100mile Tom Quilty Gold Cup, the AERA National Championships. These days endurance riding is the fastest growing equestrian sport in the world with the Emirates giving it a massive injection of funding world-wide. Well-bred horses of mainly arabian blood are keenly sought after by the UAE to compete at top level.

Sandy Horton from Victoria, owner of the winner of the FEI** 120km, Sandine Excellerator, said “This is the best FEI event I've been to, other than a World Championship, and I've been to three World Championships. It lifts the profile of our sport enormously and gives our horses the recognition they deserve. Our horses are some of the best in the world and they compete at world level … This is just the beginning.”

Excellerator, a pure arab, was ridden by a 15 yo Tasmanian boy, Blaine Astell and won the ride in six hours, 27 minutes. He is now hoping to ride the horse in Abu Dhabi next year in the ****120km Young Riders World Championships.

While FEI rides are being dominated by the larger, more professionally-run international stables, it was a local girl, Cora Becker, riding a home-bred appaloosa-cross who won the 160km*** in an exciting gallop finish. Cora, from Warwick, QLD, rode Bones the Wizard in 8hrs and 46mins, beating Kristi Taprell on Castlebar Concorde by one second. It was the 9yo gelding's first attempt at a 100 mile ride. He averaged the last 17kms at a sizzling speed of almost 30kmh over what was described as sometimes uneven and difficult terrain.

Toorbul, on the QLD Sunshine Coast, was chosen as a venue as the terrain is flat to undulating. It was a fast track through pine forest and was firm under-foot, even after the large amounts of rain the state has received.

Jennifer Gilbertson from NSW rode Kurrajong Shedad, by legendary sire Chip Chase Sadaqa, in the ***160km. The gelding is a seasoned 100miler and has 5,000km of successful completions in his log-book. “It was a fabulous track, very fast. It was the fastest 160 I've ever ridden,” said Jennifer, the World Championship silver medallist, who rode it in just under 10 hours. “Kurrajong vetted out lame at the end though. He had greasy heel which he got during the ride and got it early on due to the rain and wet weather.”

Winner of FEI 120km Youth was Sandine Excellerator ridden by Blaine Astell

Such is the heart-break of the sport. Endurance riding is renowned for its strict horse welfare rules. Each horse has to pass rigorous vet checks before, during and after the ride to ensure that the animal is fit to continue. A vet out means that the horse is instantly disqualified. Hence the sport's motto is “To Complete is to Win”.

A top international veterinary panel was assembled to officiate the weekend. They were very impressed with the standard of conditioning and presentation of horses over the weekend. Jo Branigan-Hamilton is an accredited endurance vet who officiated the AERA run 160km event. “It was interesting to have vets from overseas who were so knowledgeable and approachable. There were also vets from Malaysia and Thailand who were such happy people. It was a fantastic weekend from the horses' point of view. The treatment vets had nothing to do. It was ridden sensibly.”

The carnival was held in association with a three day seminar in Brisbane. Representatives from international endurance gave talks on such topics as horse welfare and the future of endurance riding. Speakers included Ruth Carlton,from Canada, who is chair of the FEI committee,  Jumas Pontidacts, trainer for H.H Sheikh Mohammed from the UAE and guests from France and Switzerland. The carnival also promoted a “come and try” aspect to the weekend and encouraged riders from all levels of the sport to attend.

Jo's five year old son Tom Branigan-Hamilton and his mare, Kholonial Beaujolais who is also by Chip Chase Sadaqa, had their first try in the 20km social ride. “He got a brass trophy for completing,” said his very proud mother. “He sleeps with it and took it for show and tell. We thought he was a hero. The 20km was so well run, it was on a separate track so the longer riders weren't coming up fast from behind. It showed how all levels of the sport can be run together. Tom now wants to do another endurance ride. He wants to “pass people, to stay in control of his horse and have fun”.

It doesn't matter what your back ground is, endurance riding is a sport of inclusiveness, friendliness and fun.