Australia: Riders and their mounts show skills at testing endurance run

Maitlandmercury.com.au - Full Article
JAMES LAW
24 Feb, 2010 08:26 AM

Horses and their riders were put to the test last weekend in a twilight endurance ride at Glen William, near Clarence Town.

Rachel Haskins from the Williams Valley Endurance Riders Club was impressed with 137 entries, especially because this was the first time a race of this kind had been held in the Dungog Shire in more than 20 years.

The 80km trek through scenic countryside tested the endurance, strength and stamina of both the horses and riders, and attracted participants from as far as Berry, Coffs Harbour and Dubbo.

The race kicked off at 2.30pm on Saturday to ensure the ride was not run in the hottest part of the day.

The highlight of the course was the climb to the top of McDougalls Hill, which presented views to the Stockton sand dunes and across to the Barrington Tops.

The winner completed the circuit in five hours and 52 minutes, while the last horse crossed the line at 1am on Sunday, after 10 hours of riding. Eighty-three per cent of the participants finished the course.

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