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Jil Bourton provides some very interesting background and history to the new Perpetual Middleweight State Championship Trophy
The Milling Industries Perpetual trophy for the winner of the S.A. State Championship 160km Ride was first awarded in 1985. In those days the first rider weighing 73kg + was the winner. In those days there was no such thing as a heavyweight or middleweight division. It was referred to as the Open division. The Lightweight division came into being around 1982 followed by the Juniors in 1984.
For many years there was only the one trophy awarded for the winner (as explained already) then a Junior Perpetual was donated in 1987. And some time after another lovely bronze was donated for the lightweights. Around 1991 the Heavyweight division became official for those with a riding weight of 91kgs +. Generally speaking Middleweight has always been the most competitive division so it was only occasionally a heavyweight rider could win the championship. Not wanting them to be “left out” the SAERA put in place another Mary Pinsent bronze especially for the winner of that division in the 160km Championship. This is also a perpetual but wasn’t donated.
The problem that eventually arose ( and it affected me twice) was when a heavyweight rider crossed the line first in a SA Championship – this rider was presented the Heavyweight trophy AND the Milling Industries Championship trophy, resulting in the first Middleweight rider gaining no trophy stating them as winner of their division. I reiterate this doesn’t happen very often but when it does, believe me it’s quite disheartening as it’s one hell of an achievement to finish a 160km and winners in all divisions deserve recognition.
After thinking on this for many years Philip (Archer) and I decided we would donate a perpetual trophy to the Middleweight division, starting from the 2019 State Championships.
I already had the bronze, a beautiful sculpture of the Arabian stallion Tristram Momus owned by Pam & Heinfred Heyer (Strathalbyn) created by Adelaide sculptor Silvio Apponyi. The piece is the second of only twelve castings. I love this little statue and thought it would be great to share it with my endurance family as a worthwhile award.
Aside: Tristram Momus was by Ralvon Pilgrim, did well in the show ring and was both ridden and driven and won many dressage awards.
The base for my trophy was a slight dilemma – not being able to just go and buy one like the other championship trophies – Greg Bullock came to the rescue with some lovely Tasmanian timber. Greg happened to be in Tassie visiting his family. His father and late grandfather were both wood workers and there still exists a workshop which is a treasure trove of ageing tools and exotic timber.
After some text conversations Greg carried home in his bag two pieces – part of a one hundred year old plank of King Billy pine and a piece of rare Huon pine which is probably much, much older.
Greg spent hours planing and sanding the timber for me until we were both happy with the result. The photos show a bit of the process from rough old planks to finished, varnished trophy base.
In the last few days before Championships I was frantically trying to finish it off with several coats of varnish and sourcing an engraved plaque – as well as working two horses and WORK!
I am very happy with the resulting trophy and it was great to see a rider of the caliber of Naomi McGaffin being the first recipient. May many more middleweight riders enjoy it in the future.
Another couple of busy months have flown by and we’re in the middle of that time of year again when you question your sanity! Freezing mornings, feeding and training in the dark and crossing your fingers that you won’t get soaked to the skin, is the commitment and dedication (or is it craziness?) of an endurance rider.
We have just held our annual State Championships over the June Long Weekend. I sincerely thank Lainie Ray (and her team) for putting up her hand and organising this key annual event of SAERA’s ride calendar. I’m sure everyone who attended would agree that it was a fabulous event, very well organised with many “frilly bits” to make it a special and memorable weekend. Sixteen entries in our State Championship 160km event is a great number for our little club and even more exciting was that it included four juniors, who all successfully completed their first 160km. The support and encouragement provided to all the competitors, but particularly our young guns, was a standout feature of this year’s event and something for which I sincerely thank all involved – ride organisers, vet ring personnel and volunteers.
I would also like to make special mention of the beautiful new Middleweight State Championship Perpetual Trophy generously donated by Veloce Endurance and Archer Rugs. We have temporarily lost it interstate and I look forward to seeing it return to within SA borders in 2020.
While many of us have been enjoying the riding year, in the background a dedicated group of members have been progressing the update of our Constitution. A version has been drafted and we are currently following up legal advice to have a draft ready for member consultation. Our original intention was to have something to members in July. This may slip to August with our preference being to deliver to members a draft that has been well considered and as polished as possible. Thank you to the team, Andrew Luck, Jodie Luck, Tania Drever and Jil Bourton for the many hours dedicated to this task. It is a very important job and a key focus of this year’s SMC.
A number of our members are making the grand adventure to Queensland for the Quilty on Friday July 12, some with their own horses and some riding local horses. SAERA will field a team and a number of people and horses have nominated. The SAERA team will be announced once pre ride vetting is successful. May all combinations be successful.
The 2019 calendar hasn’t been as full as we would have liked with the burden falling to a dedicated few. A 2020 calendar of proposed dates has been circulated through our FB page and I really encourage every member (and particularly the more experienced) to consider putting on a ride. It doesn’t need to be fancy and members of SMC are available anytime to chat through any ideas you may have.
Do still keep an eye on FB and SAERA website as we have a few ideas currently being worked on to finish off the 2019 calendar. In the meantime, keep your pony tuned and see you at Sandy Creek.
Melanie Scott
SAERA’s 2019 SMC has just passed its two month anniversary and so I thought it timely to give an update on some of the issues raised at the AGM that I know members would be keen to hear about.
You have already received a comprehensive report on the ride trailer. I sincerely thank Jodie Luck for her thoroughness, due diligence and professional approach in managing what was a sensitive and vexing matter for members and I am confident that the adjustments made to the trailer have improved its towing and useability for all members.
An outstanding matter picked up by the incoming committee has been the finalisation of the 2018 accounts. A small group has been working and gathering the required records for the finalisation to occur and I am very pleased to report that we are nearly there. Members were advised at the AGM that there were $13,000 of unallocated/unreceipted payments. Many records have been recovered and this is now $111 of which we are unsure of what it was paid out to/for. This is a very pleasing outcome and I am sure a relief to many members. The accounts will soon be forwarded to an auditor. Audited accounts will then be made available to members.
One key activity that I am looking forward to delivering this year, as I believe it will greatly improve the way the club functions and manages its activities, is an updated constitution. A small group have already met and drafted a Discussion Paper for SMC to consider later this month. This will inform the draft Constitution which will be posted on the website in July and members will be asked to provide written feedback. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
In line with Tania’s brief presentation at the AGM regarding SAERA’s Member Protection Policy 3 Executive Positions on Committee have been identified as requiring a screening check as well as 11 Chief Stewards (14 people in total). As at 5 April 2019, 8 screening checks have been completed, 3 are in progress (pending completion or ID verification) and 3 are yet to be completed by the applicant.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of some of our valued members, the 2019 Ride Calendar is starting to fill. We have a good balance between old faithful courses and some exciting new courses and formats for members to try. I would particularly like to thank Lainie Ray for ensuring SAERA can offer a State Championship this year and encourage all members to offer their support to help Lainie deliver what I am sure will be a great event.
Many other milestones are being achieved by committee so please check back with the website regularly for updates on processes, for example we can now accept applications for log books electronically and the trial of ride payments happening for Mil Lel.
We’ve had a fantastic start to the 2019 season and I look forward to seeing you and your horses enjoying what the rest of the season has to offer. Safe riding
Melanie Scott