Bellingen’s Modena Schofield-Foster is the junior winner of the NSW State Championship Horse Endurance ride.
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The 160 km ride was held in Tooraweenah on July 14, with riders from far and wide coming to be challenged at the foot of the scenic Warrumbungle Mountains.
The track ran over varying terrain that included private farming country, public dirt roads, national park trails and rocky sections of mountain tracks with a few challenging hill climbs to inspiring views.
Thirteen-year-old Modena entered with her horse “Kalarney” a 12-year-old part-Arabian gelding, and riding alongside her was her father Chris Schofield on his horse “Ally”.
The midnight start meant heading out in darkness at sub-zero temperatures, navigating with only a head torch.
The scenery was beautiful but it was hard to not be affected by the drought status of the farming land they rode through in dusty, dry and cold conditions.
Modena and Chris successfully completed this tough ride in a riding time of 13 hours and 30 minutes.
Modena won the Junior division and also the best condition horse. Chris was placed fourth in the middleweight division.
Modena and Chris are now both qualified to compete in the prestigious Tom Quilty 160 km ride that will be held in Queensland in 2019.
If you are a lover of horses and riding distances and considering taking up this exciting sport of endurance riding contact Sharon Foster for information by emailing horses.naturally@bigpond.com.