Return to news index

Mexican rider Jose Flores to compete in the Iconic Tom Quilty 160km Endurance Ride at Tooraweenah


THE Tom Quilty Gold Cup is one of the oldest and best-known endurance rides in the world, and has traditionally attracted international competitors keen to try the unique Australian conditions.

On July 9-10, the 56 th Tom Quilty ride will be held around Tooraweenah at the foothills of the Warrumbungle Ranges in central NSW, and amongst the 300 competitors will be top-rated Mexican endurance rider Jose Luis Flores.

Jose, 49, will be making the trip from his home city of Puebla to fulfill a long-held ambition to compete in the iconic event.

“Ever since I learned about endurance riding, I’ve dreamed about riding the two most prestigious and oldest rides in the world – the Tevis Cup in the USA and Tom Quilty Gold Cup in Australia. I was planning to ride in Australia in 2020 when the pandemic hit so that plan was delayed.”

Jose is one of the most experienced endurance riders in his home country. In 2019 he was the 80km national champion and also led the Mexican team to win the silver medal at the North American Endurance Ride C11 division as a rider; and to gold in the C12 as Chef de Equipe.

The Tom Quilty Gold Cup was founded in 1966 by iconic Australian R.M. Williams and his wife Erica who were passionate about the sport and had heard about the legendary Tevis Cup 100-mile race in the United States.

In developing the concept for an Australian 100-mile ride, R. M. Williams wrote to his friend Tom Quilty, a great horseman and cattleman in the Kimberly area of Western Australia, to ask for his support.

Quilty donated $1000 which was used to make a gold cup, the prize for the winner of the event. This is a perpetual trophy, and the ride was named the Tom Quilty Gold Cup in his honour. The original Gold Cup now resides in the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, in Longreach, Queensland.

All riders who complete the event are now given a specially crafted belt buckle.

The race takes place in a different Australian state each year and requires competitors to ride 160km (100 miles) in 24 hours or less.

Jose is experienced in riding this distance, having competed in the Tevis Cup, finishing 28 th in a time of 20 hours and 45 minutes.

For the Tom Quilty, Jose will borrow a horse from Australian rider Noni Seagram, of Fieryrange Arabians, Brindabella NSW.

“Noni was kind enough in 2020 to offer me a horse to ride the Tom Quilty. She kept her offer after the pandemic, so this year I can say I will be honoured to ride one of her magnificent mounts.”

“I plan to rent an RV as soon as I get to Sydney and take it to the ride camp at Tooraweenah. I’m hoping to get there a few days before the ride so I can set up, get to know the horse and get rid of jet lag.”

“After the ride I am planning to drive the RV around Australia for a couple of weeks, mainly the south-eastern coast. I’m an avid scuba diver so I’m very excited about diving in Australia.”

Although he grew up in Mexico’s largest cities, Mexico City and Puebla, Jose was introduced to horse riding by his grandfather, a cattle rancher.

He later took interest in Arabians and 17 years ago he founded Malek Arabians, the first Straight Egyptian breeding program in Mexico.

“Immediately I was approached by my now good friend Ricardo Galán who was one of the founders of Endurance Mexico and I started riding long distances with them.

“I was hooked immediately and couldn’t stop riding. At the same time I was involved in ironman distance triathlon racing so I jumped back and forth from competitions riding horses and bicycles.”

“A few years ago, at age 14 my son Emilio asked if he could give it a try and started riding and loved it immediately to the point that he travelled with us, the Mexican Endurance Team to the North American Championship where he rode his first international AERC ride. He finished first place for young rider’s category and Best Condition.” 

To train for endurance riding Jose takes long rides on weekends and works out in the gym on week days. In the months leading up to a big ride such as the Tom Quilty he “ramps up” his regime, and in the final four weeks he tries to spend half his week strength training and half on a horse.

This year around 300 riders will try their hand at the Tom Quilty course, which will work around the foothills of the magnificent Warrumbungle Range around the historic village of Tooraweenah.

For further information please contact;
Media Contact Kylie Moppett Tel 0447481036 E kyliemoppett@gmail.com
Media Contact Abigail McLaughlin Tel 0428414533 E abigailmclaughlin2824@gmail.com
Spokesperson Sonia Bonham Tel 0428550909 E tooraweenahendurance@gmail.com
Facebook TOM QUILTY 2022 Tooraweenah NSW www.tomquilty2022.com

Your browser is out of date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×