LEERA (Lilydale Equine Endurance Riders Association)

The newly formed Lilydale Equine Endurance Riders Association is holding the 'Lone Star Endurance Ride" on the 14^th of December 2002, the ride base will be the Lilydale Football grounds, Doaks Road Lilydale.  The ride will travel through the foothills of Lilydale into the rain forest on the side of Mount Arthur and down to Lone Star ridge and return through North Lilydale to the football grounds.

The ride will consist of an 80 km endurance ride and 40 km non competitive training ride.  Pre-ride vetting will start Friday night 6.00 pm and Saturday morning from 6.00 am with chief Vet Dr. Jim Reilly and his
associate officiating.  The ride will be vet to gate, and Claude Filleul will be the attending chief steward, ride start time 8.00 am with pre-ride briefing at 7.40 a.m.

Trophies will be presented to Best Conditioned 80 km horse in Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight, all place getters and finishers of the 80 km ride will go in the draw for the prize of a saddle, but you must be present at the draw to claim this prize.  Entries close on 10^th December 2002 and are being taken by Scott Payton on 63 95 1406 or Deanne Flanagan on 63 95 1206, entry fees 80 km ride $30.00 and 40 km ride $25.00.

We look forward to a successful ride with international riders from Japan competing, spectators and interested persons welcome, any dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
For further information contact Tim Matthews,
President LEERA on 63 95 4395/O401 970 403.

The Spirit of Endurance Riding
The sport of endurance riding is not a glamorous one that attracts large crowds.  Although endurance riding is considered a sport, it is more like a chosen way of life.  Where families and friends come together and compete over long distances of up to 160 km's in 24 hours.

The challenge is more than a test against the clock, course or other competitors.  It is a test of something deep within each of us - it is a test of spirit,
compassion and respect for our horses, whom we share our life during the long hours and miles of
training and competition.

It is a spiritual connection between riders and their horses, the oneness that transcends the usual
human-animal relationship.  The rider and horse share a high degree of awareness for each other.  The
involvement with horses has brought a closer feeling to nature, the trusting, loving, working relationship
between horse and human.

The spirit of our sport is "to compete is to win" to enjoy our leisure time with people who share our value and goals.