Report from Down Under
Roberta Lieberman (rlieberman@phillips.com)
Tue, 29 Oct 1996 14:51:02 -0500
Hello all,
I'm forwarding a story and results from the Mount Cole Challenge in Australia,
provided by competitor Luke Steele. Having completed the Fort Valley two-day 100
in Virginia the same weekend, I thought I knew the meaning of a "tough" ride,
but how would you like to complete 100 miles in one day, starting at midnight,
then come right back for another 50 the next day? /Bobbie Lieberman
******************************************************************
240 km Mt Cole Challenge 25-27 October 1996
The Mt Cole Challenge is the baby of veteran endurance riders Doug and Julie
Woods of Raglan, near Ballarat Victoria. It was the result of the concept
that a horse must be considered fit to continue, to finish a ride
successfully. Doug and Julie have long been campaigners for the promotion
of, and participation in the longer endurance rides (160 kilometres and
longer). The proposal was to conduct a 160 km ride in one day, and to prove
the horses' fitness to continue at the end of that phase, to ride a further
80 km the next day. Julie's courses are always arduous, with all her
favourite mountains repeatedly included, so the title 'Challenge' was most
appropriate.
Despite considerable opposition (their proposal was considered to be too
difficult) the inaugural Mt Cole Challenge ride was conducted in October
1992 in appalling conditions. In typically fickle early spring weather, the
six riders faced wind, sleet and snow. Two horses passed all criteria.
This is the fifth time the Challenge has been run and the event has been
moved to late October to improve the chances of better weather. The entries
have gradually increased, and this year there were 16 starters.
The ride started at midnight on Friday, 25 October in full moonlight and cool
air. The course went over Mt Cole and Mt Buangor, and plenty of foothills.
The leg distances were 50 km, 32 km, then the first and second legs again in
reverse direction. The first day's total was 164 km. Three horses were pulled
due to lameness. The course is normally very good underfoot, with firm
granitic sand and bush tracks, but this year it was a little hard and stony.
On Sunday morning we lost two more horses that failed the pre-ride trot-out.
Eleven horses started out at 6 AM to complete two more legs of 38 km each.
The course was slightly easier than last year, but was undulating with many
small hills. It was amazing how well the horses looked the morning after a
tough 164 km.
It was a sad moment when Tony Torr's horse, Emir trotted out lame at the end
of the 240 km. He had travelled so well right through the ride.
Brian and Melva Keep rode together to set the fastest time at this ride for
the third consecutive year. A big cheer went up as the last two riders came
in. Vanessa Perry the youngest rider at 12 years of age, and Arthur
Patterson, the oldest rider at 73 years of age. Arthur commented that this
was a great treatment for geriatrics, he said he felt great after the ride.
Ten horses satisfied the vet. Dr Lloyd Klumpp at the final check.
This is truly an event of major significance in the Australian endurance
calendar. The steady growth in entries over its five year history has proven
Doug and Julie's dream of conducting such an event to be an achievable goal
for serious endurance riders.
Results: 16 started, 10 finished.
By Section:
Junior
1 Vanessa Perry Blue 30:10
Lightweight
1 Joyce Pilkington Karumba Cassidy 27:17
2 Karen Humphrey Clovelly Park Beauregard 27:35 BC
3 Richard Pollard Lord Arulis 27:51
Middleweight
1 Melva Keep Doran Park Tequilla 21:46
2 Julie Green Sharahd Houdini 27:23
3 Arthur Patterson Negina 30:10
Heavyweight
1 Brian Keep Doran Park Nimbus 21:46 BC
2 Luke Steele Nikita Bint Kopoola 27:32
3 James Thiveos Thivo Park Sir Elkon 27:55
The following competitors also had the guts and determination to ride in the
Mt Cole Challenge, but unfortunately their horses vetted out lame:
Debbie Sotiriou, Henry Perry, Michael Drinkwater, Jan Scholes, Tony Torr,
Sandy Little.
Luke Steele
luke.steele@fujitsu.com.au