In the beginning - Australian Endurance Horse Welfare
IN THE BEGINNING - AUSTRALIAN ENDURANCE HORSE WELFARE Jo Hamilton-Branigan BVSc(Hons) (Endurance Vet/Rider) In 1965, RM Williams was the Editor (albeit remotely) of Hoofs & Horns, at that time the leading monthly horse magazine in Australia. As a result, he and wife Erica were exposed to what was happening internationally and both became fascinated particularly by the coverage of an American endurance ride, the Western States 100 miles in One Day Ride, now commonly referred to as the Tevis Cup. Erica Williams on Noddy, 1975 TQ On Rockybar Station and the like, it was a normal everyday activity to spend long days in the saddle working cattle. There was also a very proud Australian history of droving stock across the continent. As well, the ANZAC Lighthorsemen who were renown as superb cavalry; their historic feats at Beersheba not yet fifty years past. So it was that these organised endurance events fired the imagination of the Williams' who thought ...