The 3Rivers club has opened up the 2026 season with an idyllic new ride base and a fantastic new track. Well done to Toni Sheean, Todd and the rest of the committee for pulling together the perfect start to our season. Without a doubt I’m certain most of the 67 riders enjoyed the effort that was put into the tracks and we are all very grateful to the landowners for allowing access to their properties.

The 80km event had 20 starters head off in the dark at 5am to cover some ground prior to the heat of the day. The low vet out rate of 15% could be attributed to the kind terrain selected for the course. Following several withdrawals, for various reasons (Tony Purton did put in writing the track was great or something to that effect), the 65% completion rate doesn’t seem a true reflection of the calibre of the course.

Piper Braid riding Orabanda Dancing Jessica was first across the line in 5 hours and 11mins, winning 1st Junior and Best Conditioned Junior horse. Jillinda Aitchison riding Tonki Dee Boo Henrietta was 1st Middleweight and also won Middleweight BC. Allie Bloom riding AT Dial Range Farida was 1st Heavyweight and also won Heavyweight BC. Southern riding mother and daughter duo, Janine and Halla Parr were equal 1st in the Lightweight division, with Janine’s mount, Van Dieman Sanity winning the Lightweight Best Conditioned Horse award.

Special mentions for Asha Lamprey clocking up 2000km and congratulations to Angie Hawks with her boy Ra-Anji Ragnar reaching the 1500km milestone, ridden by Jess Goulding in the event.

The results from the 40km event represent the course better, with 100% completions for the 20 horses and their riders. Amongst this group there were two first time endurance riders, Jack Jarman and Ines Renouard Mansier - with such an awesome first experience one would bet they will have caught the endurance bug. Special mention to Kurtis Rigby stepping up and completing his first 40km at age 5, noting big sister Emerald did her first 40km aged 6, also note he has now firmly changed his mind and he will be doing another endurance ride.

The 15km riders represented the largest group with 26 riders. The more civilised start time of 9:30am meant these riders got to enjoy the summer riding, and unfortunately for a few, the heat may have contributed to some elevated heart rates, dropping the successful completion rate to just below 85%. Congratulations to Mara Hofmann on her first successful completion.

One of the many appeals of endurance riding is that it is accessible and welcoming of riders of all ages and experience. This was showcased beautifully at the ride with at least two families participating with 3 generations or horseman. Shout out to Phillip, Tim and Lilah Davey along with Mandy Brazendale who rode with her daughter and granddaughter, Alyssa and Evie Hortle.