ridecamp@endurance.net: Stanley Endurance Ride - Australia

Stanley Endurance Ride - Australia

horseman@isp.com.au
Thu, 15 May 1997 22:14:56 +1000

Hello Ridecampers,
Last weekend I rode my first endurance ride in nearly six months.
Surprisingly my body stood up to it, and I feel not much worse than if I
had been competing regularly.
Not having any endurance horses in work, I was surprised by a phone call
from Brian Keep offering me a horse to ride.
On Saturday, after an uneventful 3 hour drive in the Autumn sunshine,
with a stiff tail-wind to assist, I arrived at the Murmungee Pony Club
grounds where the ride base was located. Murmungee is near Myrtleford in
the rugged and scenic north east of Victoria. This is one of my favourite
areas to ride, and this is one of my favourite rides.
Brian was already there and set up. I met the horse I was to ride, a
black-bay anglo gelding called Desert Warrior. After entering and vetting
in, Brian and I saddled up and went for a ride. "Des" was a nice ride,
light and responsive, with a nice canter.
On Saturday evening we enjoyed a spit-roast meal and after sitting around the
campfire under a clear sky full of stars, went to bed.
Wake-up call at 5 am and rideout at 6 am. It was fairly bright before dawn
and I didn't need to turn my headlamp on at all. The first leg of 25 miles
took us out over fairly flat country for about 3 miles to the base of the
ranges. Then we went up Bridle Track which went straight up to the top of
The Flagstaff. It was the more than half a mile straight up, then
undulating country at the top. There was a checkpoint half-way. The weather
was cool, not freezing, and there was a slight frost here and there. We
headed down a long descent of some 5 miles and then a few more miles in the
valley back into base.
The second leg was simply a reverse of the first, so there was a short
stretch in the valley where we tried to make up a bit of time and then the
long haul up to the top. Des was not at all enthusiastic about heading out
again, and I dragged him up the hill. After making the top of the hill, we
headed down into a gully and up again. I was starting to feel worn-out by
this stage, but fortunately Des fired up again and we suddenly found
ourselves back at the half-way checkpoint. We had a good drink here then
after a short walk, we headed off again at a good trot and canter. From the
checkpoint to base was fairly easy going. We passed a few riders and kept up a
cracking pace until the top of the descent. On foot I shuffled down the steep
track. I was feeling pleased that we were nearly home. Mounting up again, Des
was really keen to get going, and we covered the last 3 miles or so at an
increasing pace. We passed three more riders at a strong canter as the finish
line came into view. I pulled Des back to a walk before the line and just
wandered in quietly.
I could barely stand on the scales for the final weigh-in, my legs were
shaking so much! Back in camp I worked on Des and brought his h/r back to
43 after the half-hour. His trot-out lacked enthusiasm, but it had all
weekend. Gut sounds were down and slight dehydration, but he made up for
that with gusto when back in his yard.
The afternoon was getting quite warm by the time I finished (12:55 pm) and
I was glad to be through.
It was a great ride, and I am pleased I had the opportunity to ride there
again. The weather was perfect, some good rain through the week and a
pleasant,
sunny weekend really made it very enjoyable event.

Results of the Stanley/Murmungee Endurance Ride, 50 miles, 11 May 1997
37 Started.

Heavyweight
1 Ern Gleeson Tristram Kabir Hamra 3:43
2 Ken Allan Salah El Saadraan 4:03
3 Rex Telford Wayerri Comedy 5:42
4 Russell Holmes Karumba Dilemma 5:42
5 Luke Steele DP Kaysand Desert Warrior 5:55
6 Michael Gauci Silver Trinity 6:19
7 Brian Klippel Karumba Tarragon 7:13
8 Barry Brown Barcoo Downs Roll The Dice 7:13
9 Di Kajar Maricol Inka 7:22

Middleweight
1 Sue Reed Kevisan Park Zamira 3:43
2 Arthur Patterson Negina 4:02
3 Cathrine Jones KP Keira 5:30
4 Jo-Anne Francis Hazahr 5:38
5 Mick McBain Zelidan 5:38
6 Brian Keep Doran Park Tequilla 5:42
7 Brian Richardson Misty 5:57
8 Keith Preston Quabin Sarif 6:06
9 Ruth Fletcher Rasim 6:06
10 Julie Green Sharahd Houdini 6:19
11 Jan Scholes Jai 6:23
12 Cheryl Shuey Jaroc Gay Gown 7:14

Lightweight
1 Janet Hunter Windsong Nazar 4:10
2 Kylie Whitelaw Chief 4:28
3 Briony Ledingham Karumba Germaine 5:30
4 Richard Pollard Lord Arulis 6:23
5 Debbie Fullerton Ajana Kyloes Molly 6:52
6 Kylie Peal Murrawanda Kahra 7:22

Junior
1 Kristie McGaffin Atara Proud 4:03
2 Lara Peuker Varian 5:38
=3 Naomi McGaffin Kelkette Park Nathan 5:57
=3 Nick Cadman Charlotte 5:57
5 Ewan Fletcher Mellisa 6:06


--end of report--

Luke Steele at Riddells Creek, Victoria, Australia

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