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🛑🛑🛑❗️ATTENTION ALL VERA MEMBERS ❗️🛑🛑🛑

As of today, no one has nominated for the position of VERA Secretary.

The Association MUST appoint a secretary within 14 days of the AGM to comply with Victoria's Consumer Affairs requirements for Incorporated Associations.

Have you ever considered giving back to our wonderful sport by using your skills to help steer the Association?
As a 2 times previous secretary, I can tell you it is a crucial role. It does require commitment in terms of time and skills, however with online meetings and a largely electronic information flow, the role is less time consuming than in the past.
A well organised person would have no issues managing the essential functions of the Secretary position.
There are experienced people who are more than happy to assist a new Secretary to find their feet.
Shoot a message to Donna, or even myself, if you have some questions about what the position entails.
It's very rewarding being part of the Executive and your contribution is always highly regarded.
If you are the kind of person who loves being organised and seeing everything running smoothly, the Secretary role may just be for you!

Requirements are a full adult riding membership and being present at the AGM at the Victoria Hotel in Woodend on Saturday 17th January at 11.00



As of today, no one has nominated for the position of VERA President.
This is quite a concerning situation.

Our members, RO's, volunteers, fellow State Divisions, AERA and all our stake holders need a team leader!

The President's 'official' duties are not technically difficult, but being interested and engaged in this forward facing role gives confidence and stability to all.

Good people skills? An efficient communicator? Have a love of the sport in all it's forms? Often thinking 'we should do.....'?

You might just be the person we need!

A lot of support is offered to ease you into the role's requirements, so there is no need to be worried that you might not know exactly what to do.

Passion for the sport, it's people and horses, is the main requirement. Other skills are a bonus!

If you ever thought you'd like to make a difference, give back to the sport and help steer the future of Victorian endurance riding, this is the opportunity you have been waiting for!

Requirements are simple. Financial Adult riding member and being present at the AGM at the Victoria Hotel in Woodend on Saturday, 17th of Jan at 11am.

Please contact the VERA secretary, Donna Nicols - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - if you would like to discuss the position or have any niggling little questions about it.

Time is of the essence!

 You and your magnificent stallion Khan Sadyk are Tom Quilty Gold Cup stars!! This TQGC was the stunning horse's third 160 kilometre event and he has been a super achiever ⭐ What ace results for Harry and his team, at the picturesque Tasmanian located 100 mile Australian Endurance Championship. For all those keen to know - the stallion was bred by Khan Tekes Australia.
🙌 These shots (and Facebook post) of Harry and his incredible horse, have been captured with aplomb by the talented Sarah Sullivan Photography
🪄📷🏇For all the Tom Quilty magic - see her Sarah Sullivan Photography Facebook Page and website sarahsullivanphotography.zenfolio.com > go to endurance > endurance 2025
 

 
Nicola's transition into endurance occurred after working in racing stables and riding track work. She had admired a couple of trainers and they inspired her to give training and riding a go herself. As she already had an Arabian mare, she was more interested in the longer distances, which suited her horse. After doing a few online searches she discovered endurance riding existed. In 2006 she attended her first VERA event, at Blue Rock in Gippsland, completing 20km. She's been hooked ever since!
 
This year's TQGC is Nicola's 11th attempt at the prestigious 160km event. She attained her 9th completion buckle, from 10 attempts when she completed the Wirrina Cove 2024 event, on her 2025 mount Lulu. The 9 previous successful completions were on her "mighty mare" Sterling Nakeeta, who is now retired.
 
Lulu is a nine year old grey Arabian mare, who Nicola acquired as an unbroken 6 year old. Nicola says: "she was not an easy horse to start, as she wasn't that keen on people. To this day she will only let a select few catch her! Despite this she always showed a good work ethic and loved being out in the bush training even when she was just green broken. These days she's a lot easier, just a super little mare, very honest and who always gives her best and who I know has my back, and I've got hers."
Nicola's favourite things about endurance are: "...the multiple ways in which the sport challenges you, physically and mentally. That the horse welfare is paramount and the constant learning." She also appreciates the camaraderie. "It's great going to the rides and catching up with everyone around a camp fire." She enjoys, "...exchanging stories, encouraging and celebrating your fellow endurance riding friend's successes and commiserating and being supportive and being supported when things don't go well. I love the friendly atmosphere that is conducive to the sport."
 
Nicola's best advice is: "Keep an open mind to learning, don't stop asking questions."
 
 

 
Equestrian Australia are calling for applications to be part of the Equestrian Australia Endurance National Discipline Committee.
The process on how to apply for this is on the EA website at the link below.
The committee assists EA in navigating and formulating policies regarding the discipline of endurance and is an important part of our National and International landscape.
Applications close 5 pm Wednesday 26th Nov at 5pm AEST.
If you would like to part of the bigger picture of our sport, please do read up about the committee and consider offering your time to this valuable role.
https://www.equestrian.org.au/news/calling-2026-2028-national-discipline-committee-eoi

 
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!

Virginia Reichenbach // Tom Quilty Gold Cup Strapper & VERA Participant

Tell us about your 160km strapping. My 100 miler strapping has been for Paul and Marty Bryson. I am really grateful to Team PMB for having me on board 2 years in a row, as I helped them at the '24 and '25 TQGCs. I have strapped in the past at other endurance events for friends and a dressage rider who has a very fine eye for detail and expects that of her strappers.

 
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!"