Rebecca Bramich

2013 Kilkivan Tom Quilty

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:11:00 -0400

It is hard to know where to begin with the story of our adventure to the Quilty. I’ve been home for a week now and have finally started to feel as though I am getting on top of all my washing!

When I say ‘adventure’ well it surely was that! We started our massive road trip on Saturday 1st June at 5am. I slept at Nicky’s the night before so we were both up early waiting for Fiona to come over with the float and pick us and the horses up. It was absolutely pouring with rain so it wasn’t the greatest start to our big road trip. Fiona Hodges arrived and we ran down with our last minute bits to pack and then with the horses. It was the first time the horses had been on an angle load but both went on like pro’s! We locked them in and headed off, but not even 2 kms down the road we realised we’d forgotten the horses temperature log! Oops not the best start, we did a U-turn and headed back. All good after that, we were on the road to Kilkivan Queensland! The first stop was a much needed stop at Macca’s at the other side of the city for a coffee and a hash brown.

Our plan was to drive to Parkes NSW for the first night and stay in the show grounds. We got there around 6pm and it was still raining…it hadn’t stopped! It was dark so we couldn’t see where we were going. I spotted the grounds keeper so I grabbed my torch and ran towards him yelling “Excuse me!! Excuse me!! Where are the horse stables?!”. He was the scariest looking man I had ever seen, he looked a bit like Chopper Reid so needless to say I totally crapped myself and ran back to the car. He was standing with another guy but I didn’t even look at him as I was too scared. All I was thinking of was Wolf Creek! The other guy that was standing with him ended up being the lovely Bradley Hill, a fellow endurance rider from Tasmania, who was also staying at the show grounds with his family….so not so scary after all! We were safe!

We tucked the ponies into their stables, went and got some Chinese, then hit bed, which for me was a camper stretcher in the back of the float!

We were up early again the next day to take the horses for a nice long walk then load them up again. Today we had decided to do a smaller drive to break it up for the horses (and the driver). We drove to a place called Barkala Farm stay, 20kms outside Coonabarabran. It is run by a German couple who have set the place up like an European village! You can do pottery classes and stay over night with your horses!

It was perfect (not that we did any pottery). Ahhh we had a lovely bed to sleep in and a hot shower!

Nic and I took the horses for a ride while Fiona stayed back. Nic and I were given directions by the girl who owns it but of course we managed to get lost! Uh Oh another wolf creek moment! All I was thinking was Nic and I are stuck out in the wilderness, its getting dark, mean while Fiona is back getting murdered by the Germans!! Well no, of course not! We got home just before dark and the lovely German chef had cooked us a beautiful dinner….teamed up with a local glass of red wine! Perfect!

The next day was another long haul drive. We headed to Kingaroy were we spent the night at another farm stay! It was awesome, we even had our own spa bath! Only problem was we had to set up our own horse yards. We felt the cattle yards they had set aside for the horses were too dangerous the other option was, as the lady at the property kindly said, we could tie the horses to the fence over night…. hahaha No thanks! :-)

So the next day only left us with a couple of hours drive to ride base at Kilkivan! Nic and I got up early and took the horses for a ride which was nice, the sun was out and we were getting excited!

We arrived at ride base and there was such a buzz! There weren’t a heap of people there yet but there was a constant flow of goosenecks rolling in!

We were at the Quilty! Yay! We set up the horses and the camp and went and had a XXXX beer at the local pub!

Over the next few days there were heaps of people who arrived! The camp was full and it was a great vibe! There was a massive big red tent set up which hosted information talks and music every night and a great shopping village!

Nic and I did plenty of walking the horses in hand and rode them once or twice at base. One of the times naughty Zharion found a lovely sandy spot to have a roll in….while I was on board!!! At least it was a soft landing! The funniest thing was that he had honestly forgotten I was on board and got the biggest fright when he saw me on the ground next to him!!!

Daniel my fiancé, Gill and Fiona’s daughter Beth arrived on the Thursday afternoon in the BIGGEST motorhome my Daniel could hire…..he never does things by halves! It was so nice to have some creature comforts again like a double bed, shower, toliet and fridge! And it was also very nice to have him there :-)

Thursday we also entered, so we got our bib numbers. Nic was number 7 and I was number 10…pretty good numbers we thought!

Friday was pre ride vetting. Zharion behaved 100% on what he did last year at the Quilty….I think last year they wrote in his book he was a “bit ADD” but this year he behaved beautifully!

Well it was D day…or Q day as we were saying so we took it pretty easy, got some sleep in the afternoon/evening. We woke up at 10.30pm on the Friday night for a midnight start! Nerves were in the air, especially when they were playing the Quilty song over the loud speakers at around 11.45! Woohoo talk about pumping you up!

The start of the Quilty is hard to explain. With 300 fit, magnificent horses all ready to go in the middle of the night, circling around and warming up is a thrilling experience to be a part of! Knowing what challenge you have ahead of you is nerve wracking but exciting! Some horses were going sideways but our horses were beautifully behaved!

When the clock struck 12 the front runners were off into the night at a canter. We let a few of the faster riders go out and we left in a nice controlled trot! Zharion was once again so much better behaved than the Quilty last year! No pulling or reefing, just a lovely fast paced trot down the road! We got about 15kms into the first loop and Nic and I needed to get off and pee. We walked slightly into some long grass when Nicky realised her horse had gotten her front leg tangled in barb wire….we stayed as still as possible while she tried to unwrap her….she asked me to get off and help so I jumped off…. as I hit the ground I yelled “SHIT! I’m still hooked on!!!” I was wearing one of those blow up safety vests that clip onto your saddle and if you fall off the cord pulls and your vest blows up like air bags! Well it was SO lucky I didn’t explode!! haha I had borrowed Daniels mums vest for the first couple of legs in the dark as I didn’t like the idea of flying over bitumen, rocks, boulders and holes in the dark with a potentially crazy horse!

Anyway, we got the wire off and it was just lucky Nic’s horse had tendon boots on!

The first couple of legs went like a breeze but during the hold time before going out on the 3rd leg Nicky’s horse wasn’t eating as much as she’d like her to be, so she stayed back in camp to give her more time to relax and eat.

Me and Zha were out on our own! It was starting to get hot so every river crossing I was off and in the water splashing him like a mad woman! He loved it though! During the 3rd and 4th leg we hit some hills….actually when I say hills they were more like MOUNTAINS! I was off for the most part of it walking him up and down them….he was dragging me UP most of them though…I was buggared! Note to self….need to work on my fitness before next years Quilty!!

All was going great, Zharion was still full of beans and we were ready to tackle the final leg…which was only 18kms but we were heading back out into the dark….on our own. After riding through the night, then through the day, then back into the night, one can get slightly delirious! My head torch wasn’t working that well, I was finding it hard to spot the arrows and Zharion just wanted to eat grass! I was off walking most of it because I started to panic I was lost…There was NO ONE in sight and I was scared!! With only 10kms to go I just wanted to be done! It was getting cold and I was worried Zha would get cold and stiffen up….it was all just a bit crap really! Then I heard a familiar voice…it was Nicky! She had caught us up! Now I know what Zharion was waiting for! His mum and his horse buddy! So it worked out perfect! We were able to start and finish the Quilty together! We both vetted through and passed! We hugged and cried and kissed our horses!! It was the best feeling! We couldn’t of done it without our strappers Daniel, Gill, Beth and Fiona, especially Fiona who drove us there and back!

And I couldn’t of done it with out my gorgeous friend Nicola Robinson who lent me her super star horse Zharion for the 2nd Quilty in a row!

Needless to say Sunday night after the buckle presentations we celebrated pretty hard and danced the night away!

I had such a fun time at the Kilkivan Quilty. Thanks to all the vets and ride organizers who made it a very special one to remember!

Story also published on Equestrian Life Magazine’s blog:

http://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/Bec-Bramichs-Quilty-Adventure

Day 3

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:37:55 -0400

We are officially in sunny QLD! We had a lovely night at Barkala Farm stay, 20kms out of Coonabarabran, driving to Kingaroy today!
Just let the horses out for a pick and a walk at Goondiwindi and they look good! Tomorrow we arrive at ride base :-)

Day 2 : Road Trip to the Quilty

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:17:58 -0400

Day 2 of our road trip! Just leaving the show grounds of Parkes now, heading for a lovely farm stay where we’ll stay the night and Nic and I will take the ponies for a ride!

Not long now!!

Thu, 30 May 2013 03:02:00 -0400

I started packing for the Quilty today…..it looks like I’m going for 3 months not 1 week!! eeeekkk I’ve got some culling to do!!! Leaving for the road trip to QLD Saturday…..CANT waaaiiittt!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Pictures of the Moyston Endurance Ride

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:34:17 -0400

Pictures of the Moyston Endurance Ride

Moyston Endurance Ride - My first 40kms on Talieb :-)

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:28:00 -0400

On the weekend I headed to the Moyston CFA Endurance ride. I had spent all week getting everything organised, there is a lot to pack with weather like this! Saturday was a lovely warm day and Sunday was freezing and raining! Needless to say we had a ute full of rugs!!

This ride was particularly important for me, it was my first endurance ride on my new horse Pioneer Park Talieb. I wasn’t worried that he might behave badly during the ride, I was more concerned about how he would settle into ride base. Luckily I was riding with my future mother in law, and her horse, Castlebar Goblin who has been to rides before and relax’s well in that environment.

We left early Saturday morning for the 2 hr trip to Moyston. We got there, set up the yards and let the horses relax and settle in while we entered into the ride. Once we had done that we took the boys for a ride. We got back and took them into pre ride vetting. I was extremely impressed with Talieb, he took everything in his stride and even with a scary flapping tent near the vet ring his heart rate was 39. He let the vet check him over with no complaints and did a lovely trot out!

Saturday night the ride organisers had put on a lovely dinner and a band in the club rooms. Before bed we took the horses for another in hand walk around ride base to stretch their legs then put them to bed!

Sunday morning at 4am ride base became alive again. The 100km riders were heading out at 5am so there was a excited buzz about. This woke Talieb and when the horses were heading out he was pacing around his yard a bit. I reckon he walked 40kms around the yard before our ride even started! Needless to say his mummy couldn’t sleep either so we were both up watching the riders head off. Luckily for me the club rooms were open so I went and got myself a coffee, made by the lovely head steward Sandy Little.

The 40km ride was heading out at 7 am so before I knew it I was whacking on Taliebs hoof boots and saddling up.

Talieb actually surprised me, he was a lot more energised than what I had imagined!!! His head was up in the air, he was shaking it around a bit and he was defiantly on his toes….it was very funny because he is usually lovely and quiet :-) His brother from another mother Goblin was also giving Tracey a bit of a hard time with a couple of mad pig roots! We got trotting and everything was going great. Talieb was in front of Goblin to stop Goblin from wanting to race all the other horses. Talieb felt amazing until about 15kms in when I noticed his whole body had sweated up. He was starting to get a bit anxious so we put Goblin in the lead and so Talieb could relax, which worked, he settled back into a nice relaxed trot!

Before we knew it the 40kms was over and we were back at base. At this point it was quite cool so we pulled the saddles off and put my lovely woolen Dublin rugs over their bums to keep them warm and prevent stiffening up. The boys had a couple of mouth fulls of lucerne hay and a bit of a drink and then we took their heart rates. They were both below the 55 beat maximum so we took them through to the vet ring. We didn’t have to wait long and we were having their TPR’s taken. I was thrilled to hear Talieb had a 39 heart rate….the same as what it was in the pre ride examination. We did a trot out for the vets and we got the all clear! We were through our first 40km ride together! Goblin and Tracey were through as well so it was smiles all round!

Talieb really is the sweetest, smoochiest boy I’ve ever met who I have developed the most amazing bond with! He really loves humans and loves nothing more than nuzzling into my chest for kisses (like most men….haha)

Speaking of men, I couldn’t of done it without my amazing fiancé who takes care of everything…. he helps strap, set up camp and generally just run around doing what we ask him to do! We also had the helpful assistance of our friends Gill and Fiona when we got back to camp which was hugely appreciated!

My next ride is Toongabbie in 2 weeks time, then the big road trip to the QUILTY!! SO exciting! I will be riding my friends horse Zharion, the horse which I rode in last years Quilty, so I am pumped! Once the Quilty is over I will be planning on taking Talieb to a few more 40km rides which I am also very excited about! Its a busy few months of riding ahead!

SO in LOVE with my Limited Edition Patent Blue Intensity boots...

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:18:21 -0400

SO in LOVE with my Limited Edition Patent Blue Intensity boots and gaiters with Diamonti clips!! A girl can never have too much BLING!! Can’t wait to wear these babies at the Quilty!! Thanks Dublin ❤❤😍😍

My Equestrian Inspired Style

Thu, 02 May 2013 06:31:00 -0400

Check out this interview about my equestrian inspired style!

http://fashionvesta.com/2012/01/09/nvesta-profile-rebecca-bramich-to-the-manner-born/

Endurance Essentials

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:51:59 -0400

If you are new to endurance or planning to go to your first competition here are a few key things which I think you shouldn’t go without!

http://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/The-Endurance-Essentials-Guide-with-Bec-Bramich

Black Caviar retired after 25 out of 25 wins. What an incredible...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:43:25 -0400

Black Caviar retired after 25 out of 25 wins. What an incredible mare! I am going to miss watching her race, but am so happy she was retired on a high and not when she broke down. Now time for a well deserved rest, for a world champion.

Castlebar Goblin showing baby Castlebar Nariel how it’s...

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:09:04 -0400

Castlebar Goblin showing baby Castlebar Nariel how it’s done! Clever ponies!

My boy Talieb in the horse walker!

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:07:41 -0400

My boy Talieb in the horse walker!

My two favourite four legged boys!! My dog Sid and my Arab...

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:07:56 -0400

My two favourite four legged boys!! My dog Sid and my Arab gelding Talieb :-)

Nariel is a bit tired after her 15km ride!! :-)

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:04:07 -0400

Nariel is a bit tired after her 15km ride!! :-)

My ‘Around Victoria’ article for Queensland...

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:00:31 -0400

My ‘Around Victoria’ article for Queensland Endurance magazine! This is a great mag which I highly recommend any keen endurance riders subscribe to!

Equestrian Life Article

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:50:31 -0500

Here is a small article I wrote for Equestrian Life magazine about the Kilmore FEI ride:

http://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/Kilmore-FEI-80km-1-endurance-ride

My two red head babies at the Bunyip Forest today! Nariel hit...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:41:50 -0500

My two red head babies at the Bunyip Forest today! Nariel hit the hills for one of her first times in the bush and did a whole 17kms! She’s a big girl now :) She just wants to GO! Talieb did a great job as well, but when does he ever do a bad job?! He has to be the most sweetest, loving and trustworthy horse in the world! I love my gorgeous ranga’s!

On the weekend I competed in the Kilmore FEI 80km 1* endurance...

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:52:00 -0500

On the weekend I competed in the Kilmore FEI 80km 1* endurance ride. I rode Zharion, my friend Nicola Robinson’s horse, who I also rode in the Tasmanian Tom Quilty last year.

On Saturday morning we headed off to Kilmore. We got to Romsey and decided to stop at the petrol station for a coffee. Lucky we did because we noticed that one of Nicky’s tires on the float had almost fallen off!! Even luckier for us there was a tire place 500 mtrs down the road who fixed the bearing for us….. We did have to pull our hair out of the messy buns they were in and hitch up our shorts a bit so they men would drop what they were doing to help ;-)

The ride started at 4am Sunday morning, and even at that time it was already hot. We rode 3 legs of 42km, 25km and 17kms. It was an extremely challenging ride simply because of the heat. The course was more undulating than what we anticipated but Nicky’s horses are trained in the hills of the Bunyip Forest so thats no issue for them! After every leg we had to hose quite a bit of water over their necks and backs to cool them and get their heart rates down, but generally we were vetting through quickly each time!

Both Nicky and I got through the ride which was a huge relief! The horses did an excellent job and we are both getting very excited for this years Quilty in Queensland! We couldn’t of done it without our team of strappers Tracey, Gill and my partner Daniel!!

A special thanks to Dublin for sponsoring the Airation helmets for the winners of the 1* and 2* open and youth! I wore mine during the ride and it was perfect for hot weather riding because it is lightweight and breathable!

1*

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:48:55 -0500

Getting exciiiited for the first ride of the season and my first 1* this weekend!! woohooo! Bought a Gopro helmet cam to catch all of mine and Nicky’s adventures along the way!

Cant wit to be back riding Zharion, the crazy chestnut that got me through last years Tasmanian Quilty!

Fingers crossed!

Photo shoot at the farm! Photos taken by the talented Ed Purnomo...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:39:00 -0500

Photo shoot at the farm! Photos taken by the talented Ed Purnomo and clothing by Pamela Usanto! The horse is the gorgeous quarter horse Chex My Charm who is owned by my mother in law! My cute dog Sid makes an appearance too!! :-)