ridecamp@endurance.net: VERA State Championship Ride - 24 Aug 97

VERA State Championship Ride - 24 Aug 97

Luke Steele (luke.steele@fujitsu.com.au)
(no date)

Victorian Endurance Riders Association
State Championship Endurance Ride - 24 August 1997
The venue for this year s 160 km state championship was Lyrebird Park, in
the Gembrook State Forest near Yellingbo, 50 kilometres east of Melbourne.
Amenities were excellent, with a bunkhouse, dining room, stables and hot
showers.
There were 25 starters this year, which was a little down on the number of
nominations, but was still a good turnout. The course was in four legs, of
50 km, 45 km, 50 km and a nice short and easy 15 km to finish off. The
weather started to close in on Friday night, with cold, wet weather
promised. The midnight start was under clear skies and was very orderly,
with riders starting behind the ride organiser s truck.
Just over three hours later, the first riders returned to camp, as light
rain started to fall. Five millimetres of rain fell by sunrise, making the
track very slippery in places. Several horses were removed from the
competition by the end of the second leg, all showing slight lameness. The
field was well spread out by this stage with a few hours separating the
leaders from the back of the field.
The weather had turned cold, with the rain falling as sleet and later hail,
making conditions very uncomfortable for all. Several more horses vetted
out at the end of the third leg, with lameness and a few metabolic problems.
The leading rider, Kevin Bohm headed out on the last leg in a heavy
hailstorm. Shortly after, Gayle Holmes set out on the last leg. Around an
hour later, both riders had returned, with Kevin first over the line. His
mare vetted out lame at the final check. Gayle presented her gelding soon
after, and he vetted out lame also. Next over the line was Marion Noonan.
The mare she rode was the first to vet successfully, and a very surprised
Marion was to take line honours.
Over the next 5 or so hours, those horses who survived the third leg all
vetted in successfully at the final check. All eyes were on 13 year old
Nick Cadman from Wodonga. He and his mare Charlotte were attempting their
first 100 miler, in very difficult conditions. He came in off the third leg
cold and wet, but in good spirits. After a shower and a change of clothes,
he set off on the last leg alone in the dark. An hour and a half later, he
returned to the cheers of the waiting crowd. A bigger cheer went up when
Charlotte was declared fit to continue at the final check.
Despite the very low completion rate, the event was a great success. The
difficult course, slippery track and appalling weather took their toll. All
those horses vetted out were never of serious concern to the vetting team,
all recovering well after the ride. Riders reported snow on the hills, and
plenty of hail and sleet out on course.Completions (25 started)
1st Mwt Marion Noonan Kelkette Park Dardinelle ch m 13:47
1st Jnr Naomi McGaffin Kelkette Park Nathan b g 14:40
=1st Lwt Gillian Barber Yarra Park Keshena ch m 14:40
=1st Lwt Janet Hunter Windsong Nazaar gr g 14:40
2nd Mwt Catherine Jones Kelkette Park Keira b m 17:31
3rd Mwt Diane Costello Doran Park Kabuki gr m 17:42
4th Mwt Katrina Westerhoff Chevy b g 18:33
2nd Jnr Nick Cadman Charlotte ch m 19:03

horseman@hotkey.net.au -or- luke.steele@fujitsu.com.au
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/7483/
Luke and Nikita and Sarah and Shadrach
Riddells Creek, Victoria, Australia

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