Last year one of the competitors at the Nanango International Endurance event was the King of Malaysia.
In 1966, 26 riders began the first Tom Quilty a 100 mile endurance ride on a course west of Sydney.
Last year the Tom Quilty Gold Cup was held in Western Australia.
The ride, the brainchild of RM Williams now attracts up to 250 of the finest riders in the world.
With friends, buyers, veterinary teams and officials it is expected a crowd of more than 1,000 will gather, many camping out with their horses in the Nanango Show Grounds.
The original idea to ride a horse 100 miles in a day has held true and the course is now 160 kms through the hilly terrain of the East Nanango State Forest in the South Burnett region.
Back in 1966, RM’s friend Tom Quilty, a Kimberly cattleman and renowned horseman, donated $1000 for a perpetual trophy, a gold cup.
It is on permanent display in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach.
Only a handful of elite equine athletes are ever in contention to win the prestigious Gold Cup.
For most it is simply the challenge, complete the ride and win one of the famous silver buckles and achieve the motto of the sport …
‘To Complete is to Win’
For further information on Quilty Week, 15th to 21st September 2008 and the Ride, 19th to 21st September 2008 please visit the official website Tom Quilty 2008 Nanango.