Written by Amanda Rayner
It is now feeling as though our Quilty is to become a reality!!!
With five meetings under our belt the Tom Quilty committee have come back with renewed vigour and enthusiasm about bringing you a very memorable Quilty in 2021.
Here is an update.
Nominations
Nominations open on the 1st of July using the Mane Hub Nominations system( huge thanks to Rob Shaw for setting this up for us ). It is hoped to trial this system for the State Championship in early July so that we are all familiar with it.
Course
Two Quilty legs were revised at the marathon over Easter with the third leg noted to be difficult and technical with some rocky sections underfoot interchanged with sand and hills.
All five legs were in place for the Collie Diggers elevated ride which was held on the Anzac Day long weekend. Although only a handful of riders rode the 160 km they appeared happy with the flow of the track.
Veterinary / Biosecurity
The biosecurity plan will very shortly be finalised by the A.E.R.A. The event has to be run within local government guidelines otherwise we could be open to a security risk if there were an issue.
W.A. vets are upgrading their qualifications and experience so that sufficient local vets will be available if necessary.
Catering/Entertainment
The Collie Miners Institute has been booked for the dinner/dance to be held on Sunday October 3rd. It is a large attractive hall used for many big events with most importantly a huge stage for the band and dancing. The committee have sourced a good local band to ‘’rock your socks off! ‘’.
The catering for the 2 course dinner has been organised and the bar will be run by the Van Uden family featuring the Roleystone Brewing Company.
A bus will run from the racecourse to the hall throughout the evening to ferry party goers back and forth.
A light lunch will be served following the best conditioned awards on the Sunday morning. Buckle presentations will be held on Sunday afternoon.
A canteen and food/coffee vans with nourishing food will be available during Quilty week for the ravenous riders so meal preparation doesn’t have to encroach on horse time.
There will be a nutritious Strappers Breakfast (sponsored by Synergy) on the Saturday morning which will be catered for by the Collie Pony Club.
Fundraising/Entertainment
There will be an official welcome/sponsor thank you on Thursday 29th September in the main ‘’South32 Marquee’’ which will be followed by the AERA annual awards presentations.
We have 10 more buckles to sell which we would like to sell as soon as possible.
Can members please look to their local businesses and generosity of family members who may be able to help us in this regard. A sponsorship form is available by contacting the secretary : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Can everyone please like the facebook pages for sponsorship thank yous and comment.
Negotiation remains ongoing with some bigger sponsors which we are hoping to secure.
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Caitlin Liebman-Reimers is doing a stellar job in this role with the help of Ann Airey. Caitlin will be using the Hand volunteer system and has almost finalised the tasks required for the week .
Our volunteers are essential to the running of this event and will be given a reusable Bendigo Bank bag with souvenir lanyard, souvenir TQ water bottle 9 Sponsored by IRT ) and other items as well as food/drink vouchers for during their period of service.
Can you please let Caitlin know if you have family or friends who are able to help over the Quilty week? Her email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Publicity
The new Collie paper, the Collie River Valley Bulletin, has begun covering the ride with a generous article following the Easter marathon. The Collie community will be continued to be updated with regular articles in the local paper.
Keep your eyes peeled for articles in the next Arabian News and future articles in Hoofbeats.
The community-based Collie radio station is showcasing our event in a Saturday morning segment with three radio interviews also planned in the lead up to the ride.
Merchandise
The range of updated new TQ 2021 Merchandise is in stock and available on the website link via the online shop at https://www.tomquilty2021.com/shop
All the new items have been added such as ladies and men's sizes in long sleeve cotton chambray shirts, ladies and men's sizes in black/ blue soft shell vests and long sleeved soft shell jackets, all embroidered with the official gold & white TQ2021 logo.
New TQ sublimated polo shirts with the updated 2021 logo are also available now online with the option of a ‘made to order’ version with long sleeves now available due to member requests.
Limited sizes of remaining stock of the“Collector’s Item 2020”! dated polos also for sale at a cost price of only $35.
The caps and stubby holders are for sale as is with the original TQ2020 date due to the sublimation and embroidery in the fabric unable to be re-done.
Please order and pay for purchases through the online shop as this enables us to keep track of stock levels and allow for delivery or pick up at a ride or by arrangement with myself or Lyn Summerfield.
Keep the orders coming in early people so you don't miss out on the size you need ! –
Order forms will be coming out with the ride pack when you nominate your TQ entry so your merchandise order will be ready for collection at the ride but I recommend to pre order or purchase well in advance so you don't miss out !
Thanks to all WAERA members, family and friends for your support of our WA Quilty – buy your merchandise now and help promote this great event !
Expressions of Interest
Thirty Eastern States riders have already expressed their interest in travelling to the West however we have no idea about numbers until the nominations start rolling in.
As you can appreciate there are huge logistics at the moment with travelling your horse over to W.A. and then maybe not being able to get home.
The committee is budgeting on 70 riders however if we have 100 at the start line that will make us more than happy.