By Erle Levey
It was back to pre-Covid numbers for endurance horse riders at the 2024 Bony Mountain Pink Ride for Breast Cancer.
More than 160 riders were registered for the six events held at Bony Mountain Recreation Reserve over two days.
Riders dressed themselves and their horses in pink as a tribute and recognition to the fight against breast cancer.
The Pink Ride is the brainchild of Warwick Trail and Endurance Riders Club secretary Jenny Noffke.
It is named in honour of Anne Jones, a great endurance rider for many years and secretary of Queensland Equestrian Riders Association (QERA) for 17 years as well as being involved with the national association, AERA.
Anne was an instigator of endurance in the Gympie and Noosa regions.
The Pink Ride started as a one-year event at Maryvale, but proved so successful that it has been going and growing ever since at Bony Mountain.
The event is not just in the memory of Anne Jones but every single woman or man who has passed, so their struggle is not forgotten.
No-one can truthfully say they have not been touched by cancer. Events such as this show it can be beaten and that fundraisers suchas the Pink Ride can improve someone’s life.
It’s important to recognise their struggle, and that of the scientists and those in the medical profession working so hard to find a cure.
The ride has been proving popular in the past few years in particular, and is seen as a great start to the endurance riding season in Queensland.
As result of the Pink theme more than $20,000 has been raised in donations over the past five or six years.
Saturday’s rides saw 59 start in the 40km event for a 94.92 percent completion, and 15 start in the 20km ride for 93.33 percent completion.
On Sunday 49 started in the 40km ride with 95.92 percent completion.
HAPPY TO HELP
Among the volunteers for the Pink Ride was Allison Brown, a doctor and endurance rider.
Allison started riding in 2015 but with her role as an emergency doctor at Brisbane hospitals couldn’t find enough time to train so realised she could help out in other ways for such an event.
At the Pink Ride Allison was helping check the temperature, pulse and respiration (TPR) of horses, and also act as medical chief steward.
“I love this event,’’ she said, “and the fundraising for a beautiful cause.
“It’s so close to our hearts – our chief steward and everyone who has been at this ride has family affected by breast cancer.’’
Previously, one of the young riders fell off her horse and had a slight head injury so Allison was called in.
Her role is that of medical chief steward while at the ride.
With her medical bag in the car for when needed as doctor, Allison uses a stopwatch, thermometer and stethoscope to test the horses before and after each leg of the event.
There is a minimum requirement to test every 40km in the sport to ensure the health of the horse.
“It’s a great sport for families,’’ Allison said, “… mums and kids.
“There’s no jumping, they can just plod along safely.’’
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Endurance riding can be very much a family affair, as I found out while talking with 2023 Queensland State Champion Debra McQueen.
There were four generations of riders in the McQueen camp at Bony Mountain, and between them eight Tom Quilty buckles for completing what is regarded as Australia’s premier endurance event.
With Debra were her mother, Lyn Langley, who was born at Roma, daughter Hanna Houlden and her daughters Freya, five, and Reagan, three.
Hannah has three Tom Quilty buckles for completing the 160km ride, other daughter Scarlet McQueen of Imbil, three, and Debra two.
All three riders intend to compete at this year’s Tom Quilty at Wirrina Cove in South Australia.
Debra also plans to compete in the 320km marathon at the Far-A-Way ride – a three-day event at Imbil over Easter.
For Debra, her introduction to endurance was like so many others – living at Kyogle in northern New South Wales, she went for a local ride.
That was in 2006, and she has been involved ever since.
“It was a 40km ride and I went out with some friends. I knew of endurance but never participated.
“This is better than an arena. It’s a lot of fun and really family-orientated.
“It’s just the atmosphere of camping, getting up early and going for a ride.’’
Debra started with an Appaloosa mare but that horse was a bit unpredictable.
“We soon decided I needed something a bit safer.
“Hannah found a horse – I had been strapping for the girls and haven’t looked back since.’’
What struck me at Bony Mountain was how easily Debra’s grand daughters Freya and Reagan worked with horses, taking them for early-morning walks and helping around the camp.
Freya was taking part in her first 10km ride that weekend alongside Hannah, while Reagan was having a ride and walk with Debra.
Their love and understanding of horses is already showing.
“They are keen,’’ Debra said. “They are talking about it all the time, and want to ride all of the time.
“It’s a great atmosphere here at Bony Mountain, where you can relax. The kids love it.’’
For Debra, being announced as Queensland champion at Inglewood last August was a matter of sticking to her ride plan.
Riding Kynnum Park Mr Epona, with a stable name of Jack, she knew to hold him back at the start.
“I know the track at Inglewood. It seems flat but you can go too fast.
“The sand means its hard work on the horse. There’s rock under the sand, creeks to cross.
“I was overtaken by most until the 10km mark and just kicked him up faster and faster.
“I knew that’s what was needed to get through the 160km.
“In the lead-up we did a lot more canter training. When you start endurance we were told to trot a lot, but now it’s better to canter. That makes it easier on the horse.
“Jack is a 15-year-old Arab gelding, and we bought him as a seven-month-old … we try to get them young and train them ourselves.
“He’s been with the family. Scarlet has done a lot of rides with him.
“We do all our own care for the horses and use the glue-on boots. This result proves that we can be competitive with them.
“We’ve been doing it for 10 years.’’
Debra’s mother, Lyn Langley, grew up on a cattle station between Taroom and Injune.
She loves horses but was not allowed to ride as a young girl.
The McQueen family hosts the Wiangaree ride in September.
Lyn makes the directional arrows, and Debra designs the tracks.
“You have success when you keep to your plan,’’ she reminded.
MIXING FASHION WITH PASSION
Talk about expecting the unexpected at Bony Mountain.
During the pre-ride vetting of horses for the Saturday 40km event I met up with fashion designer Louis Cheron.
From France and in Australia on a working holiday, Louis told me he loves horses and thought this was a good opportunity to see the wide open spaces of Australia as well as experience riding in the bush.
Showing he was very proficient in speaking English as well as his ability with horses, Louis said he travelled to London and the US in his career in the fashion industry.
He arrived in Melbourne just a matter of weeks ago, attracted by the lifestyle of the city as much as fashion.
However, he saw the advertisement from Mick and Shelley Chapman at Shanelli Park Endurance to work with horses, so he is now based at Kilkivan.
Bony Mountain was his first ride in Australia.
Louis grew up around horses. His grandfather had a property at Vendôme in central France.
Louis started his own family leathergoods business in Paris, with his family.
“What I love here is the space and the feeling of the wild nature. Where we are, the skies are amazing.’’
Will he be going to South Australia in September for the Tom Quilty?
“I didn’t know I was coming here,’’ he laughed.
“While I am in Australia, I would like to see Sydney, to see Perth and Tasmania.’’
The QERA riding season gets under way in earnest this weekend at Imbil, with the Stirlings Starter at Stirling Crossing Endurance Centre on March 2-3.
There will be two 10km rides; two 20km; two 40km; and one 80km event over the weekend.
Given the enthusiasm shown at the Bony Mountain Pink Ride, I’m sure it will be a success and cannot wait to roll out the swag and enjoy those stars in the sky of a night.
