1966

1:14am 1 October: Endurance riding began in Australia when RM Williams — after hearing reports of the 100 mile Tevis Cup — decided to challenge Australian riders to demonstrate if they had the skill and horsemanship to “ride 100 miles in a day”.  He therefore approached his good friend Tom Quilty to support his venture and thanks to his donation of $1,000, the Tom Quilty Cup was paid for signifying the birth of endurance riding in New South Wales.  The Tom Quilty Cup remains an annual national championship endurance event and is now the biggest professional endurance ride in the Southern Hemisphere.