Well, Moyston CFA Endurance has been ridden and completed. Lots of happy campers, some tired horses, riders, strappers, officials and volunteers.
We ran 4 rides across the weekend. 20km & 40km Saturday. 60km elevated and 100km elevated Sunday. There was a total of 80 riders in all with very few non-completions but numerous riders on the Sunday who chose to DNE (did not elevate).
The weather was mostly kind to us with some sporadic drizzle but mainly cloudy with patches of sunshine.
Vetting went very well with Dr Narelle, Dr Lesley and Dr Wei in attendance and Sandy & Digger keeping the lines moving. Riding started at 12 noon on Saturday and the 2 rides progressed smoothly with Sunday’s horse and riders fitting in for pre-ride as the afternoon progressed.
The 20km ride had 7 starters and 7 completions. Well done horses and riders.
The 40km ride had 14 starters with 12 completions and 2 who unfortunately didn’t complete the vet check.
Pretty good days riding Saturday in all.
Saturday night was our usual clubrooms dinner, this year hosted by Moyston Landcare. Everyone enjoyed the hot meal and lovely puddings with the opportunity for some social time and the bar open for those who chose to raise a glass or two. We are very blessed at Moyston to have this opportunity to mingle and fill our bellies.
Sunday saw a cool start at 3am but the 100km elevated horse and rider combos went out well and saw a record time from Gina Thompson and Henley Farm Islah in off the 1st 40km track at 2.05 hours! Gina & Islah continued this trend the whole ride through to complete, win 1st place and be awarded Best Conditioned Lightweight.
Mark Carson, Marty Bryson and Sophie Goodley joined Gina in placing 1st in their weight divisions.
5 of the 60km horses completed, 6 chose to DNE and 2 horses unfortunately did not complete the vet check and 1 horse withdrew Pre-ride.
This year Best Managed rugs were awarded to the 40km, 60km elevated, 80km DNE and 100km elevated. They were all chosen by the Vet team to highlight the effort all of the riders put into their horses in individual ways that were examples of tenacity, good decision making and mindful horse welfare. The worthy recipients were in order; Donna Nicholas, Virginia Reichenbach, Trish Reeves and Sarah McLaughlin. A highlight of the weekend to see the beaming faces of the proud recipients.
For the 1st time there were no float pick ups, although there was 2 on stand by all weekend. A record to be pleased with.
Although there was some disappointment from non-completions there were no disputes and no issues to be dealt with. The Vets took considerable time to talk to riders about non-completions, or to encourage to DNE, and no horses required vet treatment.
I would like to recognise and thank all who attended for their polite and courteous manners and the patience of those who had to wait in the vet ring due to a busy time or longer ride distance horses being vetted first. Much appreciated.
Thanks also to our amazing officials and volunteers who all worked together so well to attend to the myriad of tasks required to pull off a ride weekend, particularly a 2 day event.
The weekend saw some FABULOUS raffle prizes.
A weekend for two donated by Mount William Station won by Shannon Horvatek
A beautiful original art work by Bek Williamson won by Ang Lea
$200 Dixon Smith voucher donated by Rural Steel won by Lois Sharam
A Camelbak 2L Hydration Pack won by Erin Price
An electric toothbrush won by Samantha Gay
One Ute First Aid kit won by Helen Harvey
The winners were definitely grinners.
And to our Moyston Fire Brigade, we salute you and your checkpoints, water, carrots, hay, lollies and checking of our tracks Pre-ride.
All in all a fabulous weekend. Let’s do it again next year!
Sioux Reid,
RO Moyston CFA Endurance