Australia: Bendigo horse enthusiast is riding high in endurance sport

Bendigoadvertiser.com.au - Full Article

By Raelee Tuckerman Oct. 10, 2014, 2 a.m.

Newspaper ad introduced horse enthusiast to an equestrian test of endurance

HORSE enthusiast Ange Nicholls answered a small “Riders Wanted” newspaper ad, hoping for an inexpensive way of getting back in the saddle after the birth of her first child.

What she got instead was an introduction to the sport of endurance riding - and a high-end industry that sees international buyers pay thousands of dollars for locally bred mounts.

“That’s how I met Vincent,” she says, referring to Campaspe Valley Arabians stud owner Vincent Comer, a veteran with three decades of experience in the endurance riding world.

“He was looking for someone to help exercise his horses. It’s not paid, but I meet him out at One Tree Hill and go for a ride for a couple of hours about once a week and I just love it.”

This arrangement has mutual benefits: Vincent has a dedicated volunteer to lend him a hand and Ange enjoys a regular riding fix without the cost and commitment of owning a horse.

The 35-year-old began competing in endurance events last year and recently completed her first 80km ride - winning the lightweight category on Miss Pasha in just over six and a half hours and also taking out the best conditioned horse in her division...

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http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2616584/ange-is-riding-high/?cs=81