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 that this form of riding would be a natural challenge in an Australian setting. The thought also "if those Americans could ride 100 miles in one day, then surely we could too...."

This was reflected in the magazine.  In the November '65 edition of Hoofs & Horns, there was an account of the most recent Tevis.  The Western States Trail Ride entailed riding from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, California crossing the Sierra Nevada Range - the most difficult of terrain.  Eighty-three competitors started and 53 finished.  The winner in a time of 11 hrs and 38 minutes.  Then in December, a story about the first Golden Horseshoe ride in England, which took place in Devon, South West England over 50 miles (80k).  It was so popular that entries were limited; 110 started the event.  In the January edition, there was a long article by Wentworth & Linda Tellington titled "Managing a 100 mile One Day Ride'.  It gave quite a comprehensive picture of how an endurance ride should be organised, supervised (by veterinarians) and ridden.

By early 1966 the readers were clamouring for more & suggesting an event be held in Australia.  Gradually a concept was born and a meeting organised in 1966 during the Sydney Royal Show for the purpose of organising a 100-mile endurance ride. This meeting was held at the Australia Hotel, Sydney on April fifth.  The ride date decided upon was the first Saturday in October 1966.

Point of Interest:  There were two venues proposed and voted on - the Windsor-Colo area in the Hawkesbury Valley, just west of Sydney & the Mallee area of Mildura, Victoria. A very good case was made for each location but when put to the vote, the Hawkesbury location won narrowly by 12 votes to 11.

Inevitably, the sport of endurance riding has been under the microscope since its inception with regard to horse welfare issues.  Both, the RSPCA and the Australian Welfare League were quick to investigate and scrutinise the early events for animal cruelty and other indiscretions.  It was not long after the inception of the first Tom Quilty in 1966 that the RSPCA  revealed they were totally against endurance as a horse sport and determined to stop it from happening.  The RSPCA were unconvinced that this sort of riding/event could be achieved without compromising the horse. They threatened legal action and prosecution under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act - due to over-riding. It became widely publicised, even making the London papers, causing the Australian High Commissioner to contact the Premier of NSW.  In his embarrassment, he set about putting a stop to the ride.  The Commissioner of Police was given the task & detailed the local police and stock squad to arrest those "mad horse people" if they started the ride.

Originally the ride was set up as a race for prizemoney with $300 for the winner, $200 for second, $100 for third the prize.  However, when it was revealed that it was illegal to race on public roads or byways for prizemoney that idea was abandoned.  However, this didn't stop RM from commissioning the now famous, prestigious Gold Cup, a perpetual trophy to be awarded to the winner.  Or the Newbridge Trophy donated by Dick & Selma Best, similarly perpetual, for the first registered Arabian or derivative.  And, of course, the now famous silver Quilty Buckles for those that completed the course in 15 hours (total, including rest stops).

Tom Quilty, a long time friend of RM's, of Springvale Sation in the Kimberly area of WA was approached to sponsor the cup which was named in his honour. Generously he provided $1000 which provided the impetus to get the first ride up and running. Tom Quilty was a legend in his own lifetime, much like RM; he was the last of the old time Northern cattlemen.  Horses were Tom's greatest love.  He knew many great ones and bred them too. Tales of Tom's ability as a horseman are many, but he was always in the saddle and they were everyday occurrences to him.  "We used to ride 100 miles from Euroka to Cloncurry just to send a telegram."

Little known fact:  The original Tom Quilty Gold Cup contained 38.5 oz of gold, which made it heavier than the Melbourne Cup.  These days the original cup is on display at the Stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach, Queensland.

Fortunately Erica had the foresight to undertake much groundwork with regard to horse welfare prior to the event. She had approached Professor David Hutchins, veterinary superintendent at the Rural Veterinary Centre Faculty of Veterinary Science Camden, NSW and organised veterinary supervision of the ride.  Veterinary charts and parameters from the Tevis were used to form a basis to work from in Australia.  At the time the maximum heart rate recovery was 70 bpm after a 30 minute rest period.  Senior students were sent to Rockybar to observe and record parameters on the prospective endurance horses at rest and after set amounts of work.  Quite an amount of data was collected before the event to make sure that the parameters were appropriate.

Notably, on the letter of communication to prospective Tom Quilty competitors Erica's post script includes
"No whips or spurs allowed."
"All competitors being interviewed by the press please note that this is an "Endurance Test" being conducted by the University of Sydney."

Professor Dave Hutchins was a tower of strength in those early times and without his help the sport of endurance riding in Australia would have been set back many years.  The RSPCA tried to find a veterinarian to challenge the official ride veterinarians, but they could not find a single veterinarian who was prepared to argue with Dave Hutchins, such was his high reputation.

Dave Hutchins agreed with the concept of no prize money.  He considered that it would put undue pressure on the vets from some riders who may have wanted to win at the expense of the well-being of their horses.  He thought that more elaborate controls would have been necessary regarding timing and stewarding if that were the case to control over zealous riders.  He was happy also that as there wasn't any prize money it would be regarded an amateur sport.

On the day of the event the police were present, as were the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League.  They scrutinised the event from start to finish.  The competitors ever aware they were under the watchful eye of animal cruelty critics.  The RSPCA had warned again that they would institute legal action if the 100 mile horse race took place.  Riders rode carefully and at the smallest sign of a rub or injury or tiredness showing they withdrew.  Sometimes on the advice of the veterinary team.

It is Quilty legend now that Gabriel Stecher won that first ride astride his Arabian stallion Shalawi completing the whole distance bareback, in the time of 11 hours 4 mins.  Of the twenty-six starters only seven completed the event.

The welfare critics were mixed.  The Animal Welfare League representative, Inspector G. Mole said he could see nothing in the endurance ride which suggested cruelty to horses.  While on the other hand, the RSPCA Inspector Tomlinson described it as atrocious.  In the Sydney press he was quoted as saying the RSPCA would do all it could to prevent a recurrence of the event.  Despite all his ranting and raving the RSPCA were unable to prosecute any rider for cruelty to a horse.

For many years the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League were invited and continued to attend the Quilty.  The AWL chief inspector, Mr Mole always came and gave his approval of a well conducted event.  The RSPCA were less than complimentary and often quite rude but did not attempt to discredit endurance riders through the press again.  Due to ongoing veterinary involvement the RSPCA eventually lost interest and after 1970 no longer attended Quilty rides.

In his report to the Quilty Committee post ride David Hutchins gave his veterinary perspective and made suggestions for subsequent rides.
A summary of his points are as follow.

1.  General Organisation - To have a separate roped off area for checking entrants.
2.  Standards for Qualification to Continue - the standards used weren't perfect but useful, practical and fair and a good guide for future events.
3.  General Comments of Horses -

• horses needed to be better trained
• riders needed to manage their horses correctly with regard to feeding, watering and dressing
• entrants needed to be impressed upon only to train sound horses
• greater attention should be paid to shoeing, many were poorly shod
• riders needed to be familar with average speeds over long distances. It was felt too many went too quickly in the early stages. A steady pace is well sustained.
• education for intending competitors is most urgently required if future rides are to be held.

4.  Our observations have convinced me of the importance of having veterinary supervision at all times. 

Hence, the legendary event we know as the Tom Quilty Gold Cup was born.  Likewise, the long association and respect between the sport of endurance and officiating veterinarians.

Reference:  "The First Quilty.  The birth of Australian endurance riding."  By Erica Williams.  Greenmount Press.  1998.

Professor David Hutchins was awarded a medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2000 for services to veterinary science as an equine specialist and through the Rural Veterinary Centre of the University of Sydney..

Tom Quilty 1967 - Wheeney Creek