Endurance Horse Riding – the sport the whole family can enjoy.

Competitive endurance horse back riding, first began in the USA. It was inspired by Wendell Robie who organised the first competitive ride from Lake Tahoe across the mountains to Auburn in California; one hundred miles to be completed in less than 24 hours, under veterinary supervision.

Of course Australians were convinced that anything the Americans could do we could do as well. There were many willing and able riders and horses. But there was a lot of controversy initially because some considered it cruel. Nevertheless the first competitive ride in Australia was held in the Hawkesbury valley, west of Sydney on the 1st of October 1966.

It came to be called the QUILTY, after Tom Quilty, a Kimberly cattle man, who supported the idea and who donated the money for a Gold Cup.The first 100 mile ride in Australia, was supervised by Professor Hutchins who ran the Camden Veterinary Hospital.

The start was flagged off at minute intervals, by the Shire Mayor, Mr. Turnbull. The riders had signed a document to say that they would ride as individuals and did not ride for any prize money. The successful combinations received a silver buckle, and that has been the practice since.

The Australian Endurance Riders Association was formed to regulate this new sport. Rules were added to suit the circumstances and the veterinary criteria also were tightened, on the advice of the veterinary team. The Quilty was held every year over much the same track.

After a few years, a referendum was held among the riders to decide if the Quilty should be held in a different State each year. This idea succeeded. The numbers of riders increased dramatically, as those who could not afford to travel to Windsor, N.S.W. could still compete.

Novice riders and novice horses means that newcomers to the sport need to qualify themselves to be able to ride in open endurance rides in Australia. All horses must have a log book which identifies the horse and all the rides that it has entered, including its successes and failures.

Joining one of the Endurance Riders Associations is the first step to a great sport.

The Equestrian Federation which controls all rules for equestrian sport world-wide has developed a set of rules for endurance horse riding competitions. Our Australian riders must comply with these in overseas competition. FEI rides are held in Australia from time to time so that our riders have the opportunity to qualify to compete overseas. To ride overseas is an expensive exercise and only a very few have the means to do this.