Horses and riders congregated at the Warren Equestrian Centre (WEC) on April 12th and 13th for the Manjimup Endurance Ride. Riders competed in an 80km event, as well as 40km and 25km training rides through the jarrah forests north of the WEC, travelling through the Palgarup and Willgarrup regions. Riders from all over WA travelled to Manjimup to be part of the ride. One from as far away as Burracoppin and another from Gin Gin and many from the Perth area. There was also a strong local contingent. Volunteers from Warren Pony Club, Warren Horsemen’s Club, Manjimup Trotting Club and the WA Endurance Riders’ Association were integral to the ride’s success. Local volunteers were on checkpoints stationed around the course and enjoyed their roles, providing refreshments for both horses and riders, some even providing entertainment. Chief Stewards for the event were Deb Ryan from Collie and Meg Woodhouse from Donnybrook. Dr Arun Ramachandran from Harradine and Associates Vet Surgery and Dr Nic Fargher from Manjimup Blackwood Vet Clinic were the veterinarians on hand for ride vetting. Exceptional course marking and organisation, thanks to course co-ordinator Jo Ryan, was commended by riders. Jane Radny was equal first Middleweight with husband Norbert. Jane commented, “the course was amongst the best I have ridden, underfoot, marking and scenic value. A fabulous venue and wonderful hospitality”. Event sponsorship from many local businesses was also greatly appreciated. Major sponsors included Kohnke’s Own Frances Overheu riding Poseidon Moon. Photo by Products, Global Advanced Metals and Chris Ros. WAPRES. Competitors were impressed facilities on offer and look forward to next with the course, organization, prizes and year’s event. Manjimup Endurance Ride by Tracy Lynne Sally May riding A.J. with Sue House and Aranita Pepper Rose were equal first Lightweight. Photo by Chris Ros. RESULTS: 80km: Heavyweight 1st - Chris Haddon riding Robmurty Ronan; 2nd - Jeff Gates riding QB Senors Lucky Last; 3rd - Tania Oosterhof riding Avon Nasma. Best Conditioned Heavyweight Robmurty Ronan. Middleweight equal 1st - Jane Radny riding West Coast Natanya and Norbert Radny riding West Coast Acharon; 3rd - Frances Overheu riding Poseidon Moon. Best Conditioned Middleweight - West Coast Natanya. Lightweight equal 1st - Sally May riding AJ and Sue House riding Aranita Pepper Rose; 3rd Stephanie Cornu riding Sandine Arctic Blast. Best Conditioned Lightweight - Aranita Pepper Rose. Junior 1st - Jezney Thomas riding Eleazar Spectacular. Best Conditioned Junior - Eleazar Spectacular. Best Presented 80km - Kim Crook riding Orchid Park Silver Phoenix. Person who travelled furthest for event - Kim Crook and Orchid Park Silver Phoenix (Burracoppin). Enjoying the scenery award - Claudia Seke and Adira. 40km Best Presented - Denise Darlow and Arabika Ramarkabal. 25km Best Presented - Shellagh Woodard and Smokin Rory. Local Junior Encouragement Award - Shelby Aitken on Starzy. Junior riders Jezney Thomas, Meggie Tharratt, Shannon Pedrotti, Shelby Phillips, Shelby Aitken and Karlee Reeve all received prizes for their efforts. Tough Enough to Wear Pink years of being clear, but one in a hundred get it back. Now it¹s secondary breast cancer in the bones and lungs and due to her treatment she has chronic kidney disease and is on dialysis.” Leah not only displays the pink ribbon on her horse, she and her family show their support every day, as each has a pink ribbon tattoo. “My older brother wasn’t going to - because it’s pink. He was just going to get the outline and have it shaded in grey but because grey’s prostate cancer he didn’t. He surprised Mum and got it coloured in pink anyway,” she said. “My brother’s mate does tattooing but for the breast cancer one, me, my two sisters and my mum all got it done at the same place so it was exactly the same. My brother just got it done with his guy, so his looks a bit different. It’s not a nice pretty one, it’s kind of pointy at the end so it’s more manly, even though it’s pink.” The pink ribbon symbol attracts a lot of attention at horse shows and is so well known that Leah is asked ‘Who is it for?’ rather than what it means. b y C a r o l e W a t so n Anyone who’d been at a hack show where Leah Bayfield was competing recently would probably remember seeing her horse; a big bay Thoroughbred with a sparkling pink ribbon on his quarters. Since 2008 Leah has been raising awareness of breast cancer by faithfully painting on the glittery pink symbol for every competition and she has recently added a specially commissioned browband to her show kit as well. For Leah, the pink ribbon not only represents support for breast cancer sufferers, it is a symbol of her family’s unity. “Mum was diagnosed in 2000. She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy and she was cleared after that. We celebrated after five Moonstone Magic displaying his glitter ribbon marker. Inset: The special browband made for Leah. Photo courtesy Magic Browbands. Top left: Leah’s mum and siblings all have the pink ribbon tattoo in the same place. Photo by Carole Watson. “Mum can’t make it to most of my shows now, so to know that I can support her by putting the pink ribbon on my pony makes me happy. He’s not a flash official horse but he certainly is tough enough to wear pink..” WA SHOW SCENE June/July 2013 - Page 23