Stirling’s Crossing Tom Quilty Gold Cup: Clarence Valley’s Aimee and Jorgi Jeffery take on massive endurance ride
A pair of North Coast teens have taken on one of the nation’s most challenging endurance horse riding events, which stretches 160km and can last 24 hours. Here’s what they had to say.
Grafton
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Teen sisters from the Lower Clarence have taken on a huge 160 kilometre long horse ride which thundered across Queensland after months of training and a lifetime of love for the sport.
Aimee and Jorgi Jeffery travelled with their parents up to Imbil, Queensland at the end of last month to have a crack at the Stirling’s Crossing Tom Quilty Gold Cup.
The sisters were among 300 or so riders and horses who attempted the 100 mile (160km) ride through the Imbil State Forest.
The Quilty Cup started in 1966, when R.M. Williams (of footwear fame) wrote to his friend, Tom Quilty, asking for his support to hold a 100 mile endurance riding competition.
Mr Quilty donated $1000 used to make the gold cup, the prize for the winner of the event, and the event was named after him.
This year, Aimee came away with the Vets Choice Award for having the best managed horse, after completing the 160km ride within the 24 hours.
“I’ve been horse riding ever since I can remember, starting off with pony club then adventuring off into endurance, which is what I currently compete in now,” she said.
“The one thing I love most about endurance is riding through all the different bushland and terrain across the east coast of Australia.”
Aimee said this year’s competition marked her second attempt and the first time she finished the ride.
“To get to this level of competition it takes a lot of hours of training and dedication from yourself and your horse,” she said
“The most challenging part of the ride for me personally is the third leg, which is generally ridden in the hottest part of the day.”
Despite the difficulties, Aimee said it was all worth it when she crossed the finish line.
“We were able to get Kozzi (Aimee’s horse) through the ride without any horse or human getting kicked – definitely a win,” she said.
“This award means more to me then placing or coming across the line first.”
Unfortunately, Aimee’s younger sister, Jorgi had to pull out of the competition after the first leg because of her horse’s high heart rate.
Jorgi was competing in the event for the first time, but said it would not be her last shot at endurance riding.
She said she loved getting to see parts of the Aussie bush and nature “that not everyone can see” while sticking to the beaten path.
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