About Tom Quilty Gold Cup - Tq15
In 1966 RM Williams, challenged Australian riders to "ride 100 miles in a day". Kimberley cattleman Tom Quilty donated a ₤1000 gold cup. This is the 50th!
Tom Quilty Gold Cup - Tq15 Description
The winner of the inaugural ride, based at the Colo district near Richmond, was Gabriel Stecher, who rode his 5 year old Arabian stallion Shalawi. He rode the whole 100 miles bareback.
Since 1986 the ride has rotated from state to state with the added title – National Championship Ride. Riders from all over Australia come to compete at the “Tom Quilty” as well as from many countries overseas including USA, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Denmark, France and the United Arab Emirates.
The ride is traditionally held over the Queen’s Birthday Weekend in June with horses parading under lights prior to a shotgun start at 12 midnight. Riders have to pace their horses over five legs of varying distance, terrain and gradient. This is the grueling test of horsemanship and teamwork between man /woman and their horses that have taken months and sometimes years of hard consistent preparation.