Tom Quilty Gold Cup

Lara Jones and Caren Earl from the local Mounted SES Unit made the most of the warmth from the fire as they took a break from their duties. The unit conduct rescues on horseback and are an important service utilised in the area

Three very enthusiastic South Australian supporters, Sarah Adams who is the President of the South Australian Endurance Association with 'Neville' who was vetted out unfortunately, Maggie Winn and Sandra Isenmann were ready to support the riders as they all departed on the stroke of midnight

A huge crowd of people gathered along the sideline of the start to experience the midnight start, many travelling to the location just to see the riders leave for this wonderful event

The donkeys are working overtime serving as a great heater to take away that chill in the air, drying rugs and heating the water to sponge the horses with as they return to base camp at the end of each leg of the ride

Looking down from the top of Tumbulgum Hill over a fog blanketed view of the landscape looking toward the western coastline and the city of Perth

Kerryn Willing and 'Jemeela Park Alira' making their descent down Tumbulgum Hill as the early morning light peeps over the top of the hill

Marcel Fortsch riding 'Rupert' in 2nd leg of the ride making his way across the valley

As the sun begins to rise, riders are soon visible coming over the ridge at the top of Tumbulgum Hill. Riders Christopher Haddon with 'West Coast Dayan' and Joanne McCord riding 'Amakhaya Gjima' make their way down the final section of this leg

Richard Leggo riding 'Maralinga Fanfare' and Cathy Paton riding 'Denmark Zamaan' both made it through the 5 legs

Dianne Maurer riding 'Coolawanya Stardom' had a good ride making it through to the end of the 5 legs

Simon Slemint riding 'Ralvon Jordan' across the valley making a pleasant change from the gruelling hill climb

Enjoying her ride, Kerry Moody and 'Mistletoe' on the 3rd leg of the ride

Anita Lunt and 'Sir James' with her son Cory and 'Assiff' make the climb up Tumbulgum Hill in the 3rd leg. Corey found a little help from a towing method to make it a little easier

Linda Yearbury and 'Tiki Bey' making their way up the hill in the start of the 3rd leg of the ride through the blanket of purple and yellow wildflowers

Bruce Scott and 'Dinewani Limited Edition' taking it easy as they make their way up the hill in the 3rd leg

Stringent vetting procedures were carried out as each horse returned to base between the 5 legs of the 160 klm ride

Caught you! These boys found this small pond to be a pleasant way to cool down when the sudden hot day came after many days of low temperatures

Liz Cullam and 'Thowra Park Cadellac' returning to base from the 3rd leg of the ride

Louise Gray riding 'Neening Odyssey' and 'Sue House riding 'Nora Camryy' returning to base after the 3rd leg

Sunset over base camp has a lull in activity as strappers and pit crews await their riders to return for the next leg

Natasha Ellery riding 'Sundale Neptune', Ady McIntosh riding 'Ruby Park Eastwick' and Cory Lunt riding 'Assiff' returning to base

Jennifer Gilbertson riding 'Balgownie Anchor' making her way out of camp for the 1st leg of the ride

Riders found the course to be very challenging and after daybreak, the day became very hot and humid therefore making the finish time for all competitors a lot longer than expected

78 horses left base camp at midnight to compete in the Tom Quilty 160 klm ride. Due to Equine Influenza many interstate horses were unable to compete, therefore the number of competitors was down this year to previous rides

Frances Overheu and 'Poseidon Moon' had a wonderful ride coming in at 6.34pm and making the fastest time for the 160 klm ride, but unfortunately the horse was found to be lame and was vetted out upon her return

Kym Summerfield riding 'Angabal Miracle' completed the ride at midnight on Saturday night making it a long 24 hours in the saddle after leaving at midnight Friday night

Tracey Towers and Raewynne James were in command of the Check Point 9 and enjoying their day in the bush

Anton Reid and 'Endurowest Kumari' keeping a front position throughout the 160 klm ride

Jane Radney riding 'Arbour Grange Shalifa' and husband Norbert riding 'West Coast Acharon' for their first Quilty they had done together

NSW competitor Allan Caslick riding his loan horse 'Mariba Moontrip' owned by Liz Cullam of WA