SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ENDURANCE RIDERS ASSOC. STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS
Incorporating CEI 3* 160km EVENT
TRURO ELEVATOR RIDE - 10-11 MAY 2008
It was cold, dark and foggy at 5am on Sunday 11th May when 21 riders and horses, including 2 visitors from Victoria, left Truro Oval on the first leg of the Truro Elevator. SAERA were putting on their second ride at Truro this season thanks to the efforts of Sarah Adams and Steve Ellis. The rides offered were and endurance ride of 81km elevating to 101km, a 52km training ride, a 41km training ride and a 20km introductory ride. The plus side of the early start was that there were some stunning view looking down over the low-lying mist as the sun began to rise creating the mirage of a large lake. The first leg for the endurance riders was 28km and wound around north and east of Truro through paddocks, tracks and vineyards, returning to base for vetting and it was on this leg that the riders were treated to the beautiful sunrise. Leading at this stage was Cheryl Bullock closely followed by Kimberly van Eck and Ray Heinrich and all but one of the competitors vetted through successfully and prepared to set off on their next leg. This leg went off to the east of Truro crossing farm land, some rugged tracks, and riding over a small but steep hill passing under a 40 year old eagle’s nest which is still in use. First back to base this time was Julie White and all riders vetted through. Next leg for the endurance ride was 21km travelling east again following part of the last leg and returning once more under the eagle’s nest. The final 20km went west once more, taking in more farmland and tracks. Nine competitors elected to retire at 81km with only one vetting out, and the remaining six completed the 101km course with Julie White first over the line in a total riding time of 7hrs 6mins also taking out Best Conditioned Middleweight with Khabeel. Cheryl Bullock took out Best Conditioned Lightweight with Chip Chase Knight.
The 18 entries in the 52km and 41km rides set off at 8 am with Leg 2 being used as the first leg of the 52km ride and Leg 3 being used as the first leg of the 41km ride with both rides finishing on Leg 4. The 20km introductory ride took in only Leg 4. Eight of the eleven 52km riders completed successfully as did all seven of the 41km riders and the six 20km riders. The final endurance rider came over the line with a riding time of 9hrs 48min and was just as pleased as the winner, which proves the motto of endurance riders “To Complete Is To Win”. The overall completion rate of over 85% is considered a great success.
Truro Cricket Club provided some excellent catering on Saturday night and a huge vote of thanks goes to the organisers, the two vets and the many volunteers - without these people the ride would grind to a halt and very special thanks go to the extremely generous landowners as without their land the ride would not start at all. We believe that hte 3 horses that vetted out are back iin good condition and it is hoped that Karen Alderton's little mare will make a speedy recovery after a freek accident that injured her hind leg. Karen tells me the vet took extremely good care of Catt Dancer and she is looking very well.
MONARTO: Because of appallingly hot conditions at Monarto on 8th and 9th March the schedule was rearranged and the 80km riders started at 6p.m. on Saturday thereby finishing the first leg in the dark and riding the entire second leg in the dark. Only 9 riders braved the weather and 9 riders completed! On Sunday morning 4 x㺨km riders and 4 x㺔km riders took on the Monarto course and started at 6.30 a.m. Again 100% completion, what a fantastic record and a tribute to all those riders and strappers! Best conditioned Hwt/Mwt went to Julie White and Mi-Lord Zameer and Best conditioned Lwt/Jnr went to Jess Aistrope riding Khabeel - congratulations to both.