NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article and photos
15/05/2026
Erle Levey
Nominations have opened for the 60th anniversary of Australia’s premier endurance horse riding event, the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup.
The Stirling’s Classic, a 120km ride in the Mary Valley, was an important stepping stone for riders and horses on their pathway to qualifying for the event.
The recent ride at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre provided an insight into the conditions expected at the event to be held at Imbil in early July.
It follows a change in the qualification criteria for riders that has been introduced this year to keep up with the changing face of the sport.
The initial TQ in 1966 near Sydney had few requirements – riders accepted the challenge and entered with their horses on the day, many of those coming straight from the paddock.
It was not necessary to have helmets, saddles, even footwear. There was no need to show the experience of the rider.
There was no qualifying of horses to see if they were ready to go the distance, and to be comfortable among other horses of different ability and temperament. Vets were always involved in assessing horses as they progressed through the legs of the course to ensure they were fit to continue.
Now, 60 years, on it has been decided to set criteria that may better support inclusion and equity for riders while still maintaining the same veterinary care of horses with regular checking by veterinarians before, during and at the conclusion of events.
It’s similar with riders – they need to show they are capable of riding the distances in a field of horses that can number 200-300.
A trail ride is one thing, but it’s another to set out at midnight on a 160km ride through some challenging terrain, with a large field of the fittest endurance horses from across the country...
Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/15-05-2026/riders-set-to-go-the-distance/
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