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Young Aussies grab Gold in World's toughest horse race
 The Australian Team Four young Australians have blitzed the rest of the world to win Gold in endurance racing’s most prestigious event – the 2005 FEI World Junior Endurance Riding Championships. Congratulations!!!!! Together with their gutsy horses they swept away the rest of a formidable international field from 30 countries in the gruelling 120km race across the deserts of Bahrain. In the ride of their lives, Amily Daws (20) from Adelaide, Brooke Warner (14) from Newcastle, Queenslander, Sasha Lawes-King (16) of Beaudesert and Kristie McGaffin (20) from Walwa on the NSW/Victorian border saw only about half of the 140 entrants survive to the finish. They beat nearest rival France by 10 minutes and Brazil by 14 minutes. Other keen competition came from the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium and South Africa. Brother and sister from Glen Innes, Jenny and Luke Annetts (19 & 20) riding as individuals also came in the front runners. As with all marathons, it was the final legs of the race which saw the highest attrition rate and at the end of the day it was down to Australia’s gutsy horses and their equally gutsy riders and a highly experienced and trained crew that paid off. Squad chef d’equipe, Robin van der Wegen, said the Aussie team rode a careful and tactical race. “The five-leg course was as flat as a tack,” he said.” While other riders were enticed into riding the first two legs at speed, our team rode them judiciously, which left their horses with plenty of reserves for the last part of the race.” Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) spokesperson Pamela Robson said: “What these young people have achieved is absolutely breathtaking. They’ve really shown the world what they are made of. They’ve ridden a fast and furious race for about six and a half hours through sand dunes and heat. “They’ve made us really proud. Australia is the top ranking medal winner in endurance racing world-wide. We have a formidable reputation to uphold and these juniors have done us proud. The youth squad has lived up to a phenomenally high standard set by the adults and much more besides. They’ve exceeded all expectations. We know the future of the sport is in good hands.”
The Australian Youth Squad, sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research Australiasia (KER) included: Amily riding Castlebar Kadeen has competed in many races this year during which she won two events - the 80-km Muegonga Ride and the 120kms CEI Rosedale Ride. Sasha, the second youngest team member, had her first international appearance four years ago in the 160-km Canberra Challenge junior which she won. She was riding Castlebar Khalifa. Brooke, the team's youngest rider was paired with 10-year-old horse Piabun Ellalong. Brooke, who started riding at the age of nine, is also one of the championship's best young riders. She’s won a raft of firsts in Australia and came first junior in the American long-distance classic, the Tevis Cup in the US in July. Kristie, riding Kurrajong Sequel, is the teams most seasoned rider – she rode in the World Endurance Championships in Dubai and qualified for this event after completing three 160-km races this year, including the Capricorn Cup in May when she finished third. Her last victory was in the 160kms FEI Ivory Rock Ride in 2003She was Luke riding Tallawarra Quality won his berth at the Bahrain event after completing three 160-km races last year. His younger sister Jenny, riding Schuska participated in 13 races in the past two years, including the 90-km CEI Lovers Ride which she won in the youth category.
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