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."
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.
Read more: Virginia Reichenbach - Tom Quilty Gold Cup Strapper & VERA Participant
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!
ALL RIDERS:
Unfortunately due to personal reasons Sioux and her amazing team have made the difficult decision to postpone their Moyston ride on 31may-1st June. Now to be held on: to
September 13/14th.
Sincere apologies we know this is not ideal but it’s still on the calendar!
I’d like to thank Sioux and her crew, and see you in September!!!!
‘calling all ride organsiers current, new and ‘old’ for expression of interest in running a no frills endurance ride?’
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!!
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!"
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.
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
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!"
