Held at Mt Stromlo this Saturday and Sunday (1 and 2 March), the ride is a mix of bush and urban environments and caters for all levels of endurance riders and their mounts. Following on from the recent success of the Belubula Endurance Riders club event at Neville, serious competitors and casual participants will line up for this weekend’s 20 kilometre, 40km and 80km events.
Ride organiser Fia Hasko-Stewart said the warmer weather has seen a slower start to the new season but there are still strong numbers slated to take part in this weekend’s Scenic City event.
“We expect about 75 horses and riders,” she said. “We have a number of new riders taking part in the introductory ride of 20km. When you are not an endurance rider, 20km is a long way.”
Of the scenery, Hasko-Stewart said the unusual mix thanks to the special location is a drawcard for all sorts of riders, not just the serious endurance competitors.
“It is a unique ride, being located on the edge of a major city,” she said. “Many people love the ride for the special challenges it offers, the scenery and the mix of urban and rural. Riding along walking and cycling trails they interact with locals who are excited to see the beautiful horses doing their thing.
“Horses must navigate some urban infrastructure, such as a roundabout and a tunnel under a major road. But most of the ride is on wonderful open trails with spectacular views over the parliamentary triangle on one side and the Brindabellas on the other.”
The riders and their horses will enter the base on Friday and Saturday with the 20km, 40km and 80km rides getting underway on Sunday morning.
For more information or to enter, visit aeraonline.com.au
For more information on endurance riding in NSW and to view coming rides in your area, visit nswera.asn.au
Source: Endurance NSW press release
