photo: Sharon Foster riding "Akaysha"24 Aug, 2010 09:03 AM
A weekend of spectacular weather conditions saw 83 riders participate in the Upper Corindi Endurance Horse ride.
After a nine year absence, the Upper Corindi (the old Bushman’s ride) returned to the ride calendar and the crew hosted a fantastic Endurance ride.
Horse enthusiast came from as far as Rockhampton to ride in what has been described as a challenging 80 kilometre endurance track, consisting of some tough hills and some slippery conditions, through private property and state forest and with some glorious views back to the Pacific Ocean.
Sharon Foster from Bellingen Saddlery and Pet Supplies said the weekend ran smoothly and with the addition of a 21 kilometre introductory ride on the Saturday for people who have never tried endurance riding and wanted to give it a go, was very successful with the majority of the 23 riders being local riders from the Bellingen and Grafton area.
The 80 kilometre ride started at 5am with 30 horses riding into the crisp frosty Sunday morning followed by the 40 kilometre riders starting at daylight. Sharon says it’s a huge team effort to organise such an event and the preparations are on going all year round with tracks to be cleared and coloured markers being place out in the bush every kilometre or so.
Sharon and her husband Chris Schofield are planning to host a ride in Bellingen possible next year which will be great for the area.
Their biggest hurdle is finding a suitable ride base that’s out of the town centre and nearest to the state forest tracks, big enough for up to 100 horse floats and campers and without having to ride on busy tar roads. It’s a big job but where keen to have it happen.
full article at http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/local-endurance-horse-ride-a-huge-success/1921545.aspx
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