Sport
30 March, 2026
Endurance rides attract over 140 competitors
The Toowoomba Endurance Horse Riders Association (TEHRA) held its annual Hip Pocket Challenge at the Southbrook Sports Club on 21-22 March with more than 140 people competing in the 83km, 41km or 20km endurance rides.
Organiser and President of TEHRA, Renae Kuhn, said the weekend was a complete success, and it was the largest number of competitors since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
People travelled from all over the Toowoomba Region and further afield such as Stanthorpe, Tenterfield, Sunshine Coast, South Burnett Region and northern NSW to compete.
A mix of 82 novice and experienced riders and horses took part in the 83km ride which had a 90.24 per cent completion rate.
The first leg of the journey was a 41km intermediate circuit southeast of the Southbrook township.
The second leg of the journey was 42km and followed east of the township to Umbiram, south along the Cambooya Felton Road and circled back to Southbrook via Stower and Hazelwood Roads.
Riders departed around 2pm on Saturday afternoon and were met by a light shower that quickly dissipated.
The 41km ride, which followed the same circuit as the first leg of the 83km ride, had 34 competitors, and a number of new riders who were trying out the sport for the first time.
The 20km introductory ride, which followed a circuit southwest of the Southbrook township, had 26 competitors.
The vet team which was on standby, and completed checks before and after the races were Dr Alex Chick, Dr Francois Viljoen, Dr Stacey Grimwade, Dr Peter Lyons, Dr Claire Robinson and Dr Allison Brown.
No horses required treatment from the vet hospital.
The race officials were Craig Ellison and Dick Collyer.
Competitors were aged between 8 and 75 years, while the horses ranged from 4 to 28 years.
Ms Kuhn said TEHRA was very grateful to the Southbrook Sports Club, particularly Allan Petersen, for preparing the grounds so beautifully for the event.
Many competitors remarked on the excellent quality of the facilities and grounds.
There are even discussions underway as to whether the Southbrook Sports Club could be the perfect location to host next year’s Queensland Championships.
More photos will be published in the following edition.
