The South Australian Endurance Riders Association held the first Clare Cup throughout the valley over the weekend.

“It has been the most beautiful setting and we must thank the land owners Tom and Sal Hawker they have been fantastic.

“Riders have said it is a challenging and beautiful course,” president of the SAERA Sarah Adams said.

Endurance riders had the choice of three different legs, the ‘Black leg’ that headed north from Bungaree at a distance of 37.5 kilometres, ‘Red Leg’ that headed east through Emu Rock and was 35.5 kilometres and the third leg was the ‘blue leg’ that went through Bungaree and headed out 20 kilometres toward Blyth.

Attending a dinner the night before the big ride on Sunday included Clare Agricultural and Horticultural Show Society President Norm Crowther, CAHSS secretary John Haynes, Mayor Allan Aughey and Mayoress Lyn Aughey and the landowners Tom and Sal Hawker.

Ground Jury for the weekend was Ieva Roberts who travelled from Western Australia for the event.

“We have been up and inspected the showgrounds for the Tom Quilty and they are just perfect, it’s such a beautiful setting.

“If this is what it’s like for the Tom Quilty it will be beautiful,” Ms Roberts said.

Next year there are three proposed competitions that will be held in Clare.

These include the South Australian State Endurance Championships that is a total of 160 kilometres.

The Trans Tasman, where, New Zealand riders will compete against a selected group of Australian riders and it will be the first time South Australia will host the event.

And on the same weekend there will be the Young Horse Championships that is an event sponsored by Castlebar stud in NSW to help develop young horses. The weekend date is proposed for November 5 to 7 next year (2010) and will attract about 75 to 80 riders from throughout Australia.