Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Complex is today celebrating winning the bid to host Australia’s most prestigious endurance event, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, in 2019.
Complex owner and founder of Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club Matthew Sample said he was delighted that the venue had secured the event given it only opened last year.
“The Tom Quilty is the biggest national championship endurance ride in the southern hemisphere, spanning 160 kilometres and attracting over 300 riders from across Australia,” Mr Sample said.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting it in Imbil for the first time in 2019 and expect to have horses and riders travelling from all corners of the country to compete.”
“It really is an iconic event steeped in history since it was established by R.M. Williams in 1966 and the original gold cup still has pride of place in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach.”
Mr Sample himself won the Tom Quilty Gold Cup in 2009 and his family has a long history in endurance riding with him, his brother and father having collectively taken home 33 buckles for successfully completing the gruelling ride. Between the three riders they have taken home the Gold Cup more than any other family accumulating nine wins over its 51-year history.
He said it was a huge honour to bring the ride back to Queensland and being awarded the event reinforced his vision to develop a world-class endurance facility in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
“A lot of time and effort has gone into designing our complex to make sure it has the capacity and amenities to host large-scale endurance events so it’s a real coup to attract such a high-profile event so soon after we opened.”
“Our inaugural event was the 2016 Equestrian Australia Endurance Championship and we are looking forward to hosting this event again this weekend. We might be a new facility but we’ve already earnt our stripes in in orchestrating significant size rides so I feel really confident in our ability to put on a great show.”
Melanie Scott, President of Australian Endurance Riders Inc, stated that the Tom Quilty regularly attracts up to a dozen overseas riders.
“The lure of the Queensland “sunshine state” event is sure to increase overseas interest,” Ms Scott said.
“Congratulations to the Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club.”
Mr Sample said the benefit to the local region of events of the calibre of the Tom Quilty Gold Cup could not be underestimated.
“With people travelling long distances to attend our events, many arrive well ahead of time to rest their horses and prepare for the tough endurance challenge that lies ahead,” Mr Sample said.
“The contribution this makes to the Mary Valley and Sunshine Coast economies is significant and we look forward to putting the spotlight firmly on the region.”
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Media contact: Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing l 0410 109 102 l maya@freshprm.com.au
Caption: Complex owner and founder of Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club, Matthew Sample
ABOUT ENDURANCE RIDING
The equestrian sport has a long history, having started in the early 1900s as a military test for cavalry mounts. Today, the controlled, long-distance rides see competitors cover large distances across diverse terrain with the winning rider and horse being the ones to cross the finish line first. Horses must pass a number of veterinary checks along the way and after completion to ensure they are fit and in good condition.
ABOUT STIRLING’S CROSSING EQUESTRIAN COMPLEX
Set in the hills of the picturesque Mary Valley on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is STIRLING’S CROSSING EQUESTRIAN COMPLEX – Australia’s first purpose-built endurance facility. The impressive complex which can accommodate a range of equestrian events, combines state-of-the-art facilities with beautiful, diverse topography. The complex is also home to the Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club as well as the stud, Stirling Endurance Arabians.
