Based near Great Western, Tanya first heard about endurance riding sitting in veterinary science lectures, given by Emeritus Professor of Equine Medicine, Chris Pollitt at Queensland University in the 1990’s. During his lectures she particularly enjoyed the magnificent slide shows, which displayed amazing photos of endurance riding amongst the course material. "I wanted to participate!"
After her Uni days, Tanya had a fabulous part bred Arabian mare, 'Cushla El Keesha' who she attained a Quilty buckle with in 2003. After acquiring that significant 2003 completion, Tanya "got busy with a career and family, so had 15 years away from the sport."
In 2013 Tanya was looking for a Crabbet filly to be her new riding horse and she found Abby (Abrielle SPA). In 2018 Tanya started endurancing with Abby. Tanya said that since she met Abby, " I have had so much fun partnering with her. She is a very opinionated mare, and prides herself on clear communication. Ears flat back and terrible looks are standard for any horse wanting to pass her or anything else she disapproves of. Despite this, she is an amazingly kind mare, who gives her all when the going gets tough. Abby has also been a master teacher, forcing me to improve my riding, training and management skills."
Tanya says "I am so very lucky to have her and I am so excited to ride at this Tasmanian Quilty. Good luck to everyone and huge congratulations to everyone who gets to the start line."
P.S. Isn't the second shot posted here special? It is a great representation of the camaraderie between the two Victorian Team members Tanya Meares and Tanya Beacham, who are riding together in this year's event. The smiles say it all!
Harry got into endurance as a child.
He gave some different equestrian disciplines a go while doing pony club.
Then as fate would have it, someone suggested going to the local VERA endurance ride at Eldorado.
After trying his first 40km at 12 years old, he was hooked. Since then, "endurance has been my passion and life. So far I’ve successfully completed 7457km."
Harry achieved his first Quilty buckle as a junior, on his first Arabian.
His 2025 nominated mount, the entire Khan Sadyk (Tora Sardeeka x Kenar IMP USA) "received a buckle at last year’s TQGC in South Australia and came in 5th heavyweight.
Sadyk is a very special horse to me. He is a 7yo Akhal-Teke x Arabian stallion bred by Jessica Meares (Khan Tekes) in WA. He and I have both grown so much throughout our partnership and he just keeps on impressing me.
So far he has excelled in his first two 160’s, with hopefully so much more to come. I’m very excited to be a part of his future and see his progeny starting to come through as well."
Harry's favourite thing about endurance is, "riding through amazing places, that most people don’t get to see and seeing that landscape through the ears of a horse.
While the rides are always the goal, there is also all the hours and awesome places in training. I’m always amazed at how much our horses give to us."
Harry is a farrier by trade and he offered the following handy hints for other endurance riders, from a professional perspective.
"Be organised! Plan shoeing around rides, to be shod less than 2 weeks beforehand to avoid extra force being placed on the tendons - every 1cm of extra toe length is an extra 50kg of force acting on the tendons.
Know the terrain you’re going to be riding over - sand, rocks, concussion, mud et cetera. It can all make the difference as to how best shoe them. Pads, pads, and more pads!"
AERA is introducing a new Online Membership Renewal module to AERA Online for the 2024 membership year. From 1 January 2024 members will be able to renew their memberships digitally, update their contact and address details and manage their FEI/EA membership information, all from the comfort of their lounge or office chair.
This new functionality allows members to select their own membership categories, sign their membership declaration and make the payment in a quick and easy process negating the need to print out paperwork or mail in applications.
Tanya has been competing in endurance for over 10 years and this year's TQGC, is the sixth time she has participated in the prestigious event.
With five Quilty buckles to her name, two of them have been on her 2025 Australian Endurance Championship mount - Performance Park La Diva.
Diva is an 11 year old, purebred Arabian and she successfully completed the 2023 and 2024 TQGC events with Tanya in the saddle.
Not only is Diva a beautiful, blingy chestnut mare, she is a tough competitor!
Tanya and Diva have been a super team over the last 3 years, with 16 endurance rides completed together.
Diva's owner Kerryn Agnew said, "under Tanya’s careful, meticulous care and training, Diva has come a long way from a newly qualified, tubby mount, to a fit and strong seasoned athlete."
Kerryn also explained that "Divas favourite thing is food and if she were a dog she’d be a Labrador.
The mare is quite quirky and is particularly picky about which horses she likes and doesn’t like on track!"
