Stanley Endurance Ride

25 May 2008

report by Jen Green

 

Rohan, Nigel Anderson of Tubbarubba Arabians and myself have just returned from the beautiful village of Stanley in the Victorian North Eastern alpine region. We travelled up on Friday evening with Shuja Bint Melika and Fenwick Sunset Girl and arrived at my favourite camping area at the Stanley Oval. We have this delightful little spot with a BBQ pavilion, electric light and lovely grassy spots for yards. A water tap a few meters away adds to the convenience and abundant firewood means a roaring blaze all weekend to ward off the freezing night air. Friday night was really a cold one but Saturday dawned clear and sunny and once the frost cleared it was just glorious. Eddie Rouse and his experienced team had everything organized as rigs big and small rolled in during the day.

Rohan and Nigel took Melika and Sunset for a ride while I arranged the camp to my liking and caught up with friends. After entries and vetting we enjoyed a lovely dinner by the fire and I partook of some delicious home made pea and ham soup from the Fire Brigade ladies who always do a hearty meal.

Nigel decided to roll out his swag next to the fire while Ro and I snuggled up and watched the footy in the gooseneck. I loved my gorgeous pink float but I am enjoying our new gooseneck and a few luxuries this year! I think I'm getting a bit soft as I am getting older and am grateful for a few more home comforts at the rides.

The long ride headed out at 6am on Sunday into relatively mild temperatures and the 40km trainers followed at 7.45 by which time the sun was coming up to herald another clear, crisp morning.

Not such a big field as usual for Stanley but a very competitive one!

First few in after the first loop at a little over 2 hours included Gail Pound, Hans Peuker, Meg Wade, Jarrod Robinson and Rohan on Melika. We decided to take advantage of the early vetting and just unsaddled at the finish line and after a quick heart rate check presented Melika for vetting which went smoothly. This allowed Melika a good 45 minute break to eat and rest in camp before heading back out with Jarrod Robinson for the 2nd loop which was a repeat of the first one.

After a quick tidy up and preparation for the final vetting I greeted Nigel returning from his 40km ride on Sunset who looked like she hadn't even been out! Sunset vetted well with 36 HR and all A's so Nigel was delighted with this big, powerful, 5 year old Anglo mare from the famous Fenwick stud.

At a little under 4 hours Gail Pound appeared closely followed by Hans Peuker on Marybank Celia. A 15 minute or so break to Meg on Castlebar Calipo and then I think was Alan Lindsay and Emma Smith just ahead of Rohan and Jarrod who was riding Julian.

We thought Melika looked a little short in the off fore and unfortunately after 2 x trot outs it was evident she was sore and so we accepted the vet out with good grace and after some examination found a little sore spot under her knee which appeared to have been knocked.

Back to camp for a feed for Ro and Nigel and a rest and feed for the girls.

We watched as the rest of the field came in right up to the 8 hour cut off time and noticed every vet out seemed to be from lameness. The ground is quite concussive up in the hills even with recent rains so despite most horses looking extremely fit, the legs did suffer a bit.

We wandered down to presentations and lamented on missing out on our bag of apples we get every year for completing! Nigel shared Sunset's apples with Melika though so not too much sadness....

The luxury of staying over on the Sunday night of a ride cannot be overstated! Apart form ourselves, Hans, Gail Pound and partner, and Tony and Camille Thorneycroft enjoyed the break from a long drive. We had a crackling fire and Melika stood next to Rohan's chair having treats hand fed to her whilst we relaxed.

Bright and early Monday morning saw us packing up and taking the girls for a long walk and grass pick before loading up for the 6 hour haul home. Melika was trotted out a few times and examined and appeared totally sound and free from any pain thank goodness. A midway break on the Hume for an hour gives the horses a great break from travelling and lets the driver stretch their legs and have a coffee. Melika and Sunset devoured green grass and strutted round proudly showing off to tourists, weary truckies and picnicking family groups at the rest stop. Back at Tyabb and the girls came off the float looking fresh and bright. Melika showed zero signs of soreness on her off fore and was happy to go into a paddock with Harvey for lots of nickering and licking and nudging from her favourite boyfriend. Sunset looking fine and no signs she had even been on a 4 day outing!

Despite our vet out we still had a great weekend and Nigel enjoyed his 'camping under the stars' experience immensely. Stanley is such a pretty spot and my all time fave ride base with our little "Flying Circus Pavilion"