Australia: New ride for Cooyal endurance event adds a social element

Mudge.yourguide.com.au

19/04/2009

Due to popular demand a new equestrian event will be added to the Mudgee Endurance Ride program this year, which will be contested in the middle of May.

The new Mudgee Endurance Riders Association Inc (MERA) committee agreed to make a 20km ‘social ride’ for riders who wanted to participate in the event.

It is part of a transformation to the Mudgee Endurance Race because the weekend at the Cooyal Hall grounds is getting popular with riders and spectators every year.

The committee spokesperson Pat Dickinson said the social ride is open to anyone who has a reasonably fit horse, provided the horse is at least three years old.

The Mudgee Endurance Race is on the weekend of May 16 and 17.

Organisers say there will be plenty of awards and trophies on offer for competitors who perform well at the Cooyal Ride.

Start time for the social ride is expected to be from 1.30pm and riders are advised to get to the grounds before 11am because pre-race vetting needs to be carried out on the horses.

Riders competing in the social ride will have to ride for a minimum of two hours with a permitted maximum average speed of 10km per hour.

The course is easy and travels over gravel lanes, back roads and private property with two very short stretchers of tar.

Dickinson says there are no special requirements regarding gear or clothing except that an Australian Standard riding helmet must be worn - no bike helmets.

Entry fee is $20, which includes insurance and day membership.

For more information contact the committee secretary Mette Sutton after hours on 6372 4960.