Tom Quilty Gold Cup - Mark's Ride

The 160-kilometre Tom Quilty Gold Cup is Australia’s national championship of endurance horse riding. It is exceptionally gruelling for horses and riders. The 2018 Quilty was held near Scottsdale, Tasmania, drawing more than 140 riders from around the country. It began at midnight and the five legs of the course had to be completed within 24 hours. Each horse had a veterinary check before the ride and after each leg. Careful management was needed to avoid being ‘vetted out’ . Mark Dunn hadn’t finished a Quilty and rode a heavy Clydesdale, ‘Calypso’. Such a large horse imposes extra physical and mental demands on the rider, due to its strength and the extra time needed to complete each leg of the ride. Mark was the last rider to finish, less than 15 minutes ahead of the 24-hour deadline. He was greeted by enthusiastic applause from the crowd that gathered to see him come in. He and Calypso won their first Tom Quilty buckle