For the Watagan Mountains Endurance Ride committee, hosting their annual event is not just about getting regular competitors on the trail, it is also about attracting newcomers to the sport.

The club has been working hard to entice local equestrians into endurance through online courses and plenty of advertising.

It’s paid off, too, with a contingent of 36 entries in the introductory 20-kilometre event.

In total, there’ll be nearly 100 participants for the 20km, 60km elevator and 80km rides, which take to the Werakata National Park trails – near Cessnock – on Sunday 29 March.

Ride secretary Alison Hegarty admitted it was excellent to see an increase in numbers following the committee’s hard work in making endurance appealing to a wider audience.  

“We ran an online introduction to endurance session and saw an uptick in entries after that as well, so it was encouraging that those endeavours are paying off for us,” she said.

“We have also had our regular volunteers, who return year after year to support us, approaching us early as well.

“Many hands make light work and we would love to see a few newer faces to add to the roster.”

Hegarty said the track riders will follow is mild enough for those newcomers to have an enjoyable time while the serious competitors aiming for the prestigious Tom Quilty 160km National Championship in July can have a good hit out.

“The choice to offer a 40/60km elevator is aimed to hopefully encourage those who might not quite feel ready for an 80km to dip their toe in with 60km offering a stepping stone that’s not as daunting but still really valuable in prepping for an 80km,” she added.

“We have plenty of natural shade, nice wide tracks and really good going.

“It is a great track for novice horses as you have plenty of room and nothing too tricky, as well as competitive horses wanting to see what they can achieve.

“Particularly with NSW State Champs and Quilty both being early in the season, we felt it was really important to offer, particularly an 80km ride as early as we could manage.

“We aim to start our rides as early as possible and put plenty of extra drinking and strapping water on track to try and mitigate the heat as best we can.”

Hegarty said the feedback from the ride was always positive.

“In past years, we have received good reactions, everyone seems to appreciate that it’s a small National Park and the track reflects that,” she stated.

“We always see a lot of happy riders at presentation… and we work hard with sponsorship to try and have as many prizes to go into our lucky bib draw at presentation.

“We love seeing as many riders as we can walk away with a prize, not just the placegetters.”

For more information, visit aeraonline.com.au

For further details on endurance riding in NSW and to view coming rides in your area, visit nswera.asn.au

• Ellen Dunger

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