Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2015

 

TQ 15 Press Release

 

 

With less than three months to go before we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Endurance in Australia, the excitement and tempo is building.

 

This will be one of the largest endurance events ever held in the world and your organising committee is committed to providing you with an event worthy of the occasion!

 

The response to the opening of entries has been unprecedented in the sport of endurance in this country and there are over 465 entries so far and the Secretary’s mailbox is still full every day.

 

Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly with the owners of the venue, Del Rio Resort, to fit as many campsites as possible into the resort area, but unfortunately, due to the unprecedented number of entries the venue is at capacity and there is a waiting list of over 60 riders. We hope that those who miss out still consider coming to the event, to enjoy the atmosphere, participate in the celebratory activities and support friends. There are many areas where the committee would welcome more volunteers!

 

From the very beginning the committee intended to allocate entries on a first-come first-in basis. It was anticipated that the $100 non-refundable entry fee would encourage serious riders and prevent people ‘saving’ competitor spaces just in case. However, it appears that we have many just such entries, with people willing to forfeit $100 to save a space for a spare horse, or for yet to be found riders.

 

As a committee with limited spaces, and with so many on our waiting list, we think it is unfair for this to continue. It is unfair on other riders that are organised and have correctly completed their entry forms to not get the chance to compete. It is also unfair on your committee that cannot afford empty or partially paid campsites during the event. Therefore, since the last Australian ride opportunity to qualify for the Quilty is on the 26th of April at Harden NSW, the committee has agreed that all entries must be finalised with complete rider details (horses may be changed) by the 28th April 2015, and fully paid by 9th May 2015.

 

There will be NO refunds for any reason after this date unless your campsite is filled by another competitor from the waiting list, in which case the TQ15 committee will allocate the campsite to the next available competitor on the waiting list. You will need to decide whether to accept these terms to compete, or give up your spot to someone else that does. Spare horses will not be allowed on site. People wishing to bring a spare horse will be supplied details of agistment nearby.

 

 

 

Please consider the following statistics:

 

• Our budget is based on every horse site being utilised, and an entry fee being paid for that site.

• Your camping fee is being paid directly to Del Rio, the committee does not receive any of this.

• Of your $400 entry fee, 10% goes to the ATO in GST, 20% goes straight to AERA to run Endurance in Australia, and your successful completion buckle is worth $285. There will be at least 25 vets in attendance and a large amount of infrastructure costs.  There are already 160 volunteers signed up to help run the event.

• Our initial budget for the presentation/dinner dance marquee was $5,000. However, due to the significantly greater numbers at this event, we have needed to upsize to a $16,000 marquee seating a maximum of 750 for the dinner dance. Other expenses have similarly increased, with no relief coming from the increased number of rider entry fees.

 

This event could not possibly be held without the substantial sponsorship generously offered by our sponsors. Our Silver sponsors are Oso Endurance Arabians, NSW ERA, IRT (International Racehorse Transport), Lachlan Endurance Riding Club, Equine International Airfreight and NSW Sport & Rec.

Our Bronze sponsors are Reozone, Kohnke's Own, Almazaan Stud, Kilkivan Endurance Riders, Sydney Equestrian Supplies, Snowy Mountains Zone, VERA, Dixon Smith Equestrian, QERA, Kael Park Spanish Arabians, Wickwood Arabians and RM Williams Our Buckle sponsors are Janmark Arabians, Specialized Saddles, Tracee Males, Kintamani Arabians, Wendy Hawkes, Hartley Saddlery and Tenterfield Endurance Riders, Muskoka Farm, WAERA and Batemans Bay club are doing two.

 

We sincerely thank our sponsors for their support. Please support them as they support you!

 

Dinner/Dance tickets are $50 per person and history tells us that demand will to be high and the event will sell out so make sure to book and pay for your tickets early to avoid disappointment, please return your booking form with payment to Helen Lindsay, details are on the form. The band for the night is Nuthin’ 2 Serious (Check out their website www.nuthin2serious.com).  Dinner dance tickets will be issued on a first-come first-in basis. The marquee is only so big, so we will need to limit numbers.