We’re not in Kansas anymore … it’s the famous line from The Wizard of OZ in which Dorothy explains to her dog Toto where they have ended up after a tornado transports them from their home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz.
The same could be said of Widgee endurance horse rider and trainer Gayle Holmes.
At Imbil on the weekend Gayle passed the 30,000km mark in her recorded rides with Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA).
That’s about 10 times the distance from London to Athens. … and three times the distance from Queensland to Kansas – the site of one of her most memorable rides.
Gayle has been riding since 1990 and only four others have achieved the 30,000km milestone in Australia – Meg Wade, Kristie Taprell, Allan Caslick and Jennifer Gilbertson.
As such, she is the first rider from Queensland and, to make things even better, Gayle was doing it on her home turf.
Her ride was part of the 2025 Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) State Championships and the 2025 Equestrian Australia National Championships held at Stirling’s Crossing Equestrian Centre.
There were more than 150 nominations for the three-day event, that included nine rides ranging from 40km to 160km.
Gayle was riding Bacchante Catching Fire, an 11-year-old grey Arabian gelding she has had since 2021.
Achieving the 30,000 mark took its time as anticipation of reaching the milestone increased the pressure to succeed.
“The horse only has to sneeze and I’m all over the place,’’ Gayle told me before Sunday’s 120km ride.
“He has got a bit of a flight instinct. I say my prayers every time I ride him.
“Yet he’s a good horse which is better than being too comfortable. The only time I’ve come off is if I’m not concentrating.’’
The 30,000km milestone is a testament to her dedication, perseverance, and partnership with her horses.
In that time Gayle has completed 17 Tom Quilty Gold Cups – a 160km ride regarded as the premier endurance event in Australia.
Held each year in different states on a roster basis, riders who successfully complete the course in 24 hours are awarded a Quilty belt buckle. Among them have been two second placings.
I caught up with her at the finish line at Imbil on Sunday, where she came third in the middleweight division.
“It’s a huge achievement and a big relief,’’ she said. “In the 61 years the sport’s been going only four people have achieved this.
“There have been a lot of memories over the years – good with the bad.
“I’ve been riding some very good horses.
“Looking after them as is a big thing. At one time I had nine in training.
“I know my horses are well looked after.’’
Gayle has ridden in FEI Equestrian World Championships in America – that was at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1996.
Riding Far-A-Way Verdict, they came in 14th and she was the only Australian to complete the course.
Having also competed at the FEI World Equestrian Games two years later in Dubai, Gayle’s career has included working as a horse trainer both there and Bahrain.
Faraway completed 11,195km in his 33 years.
“I flew with him in the plane to America. When you love something so much you want to be with them.
“I’ve had some very good horses over the time.
“I don’t look at breeding. I look at them and consider whether I like them.
“I just look at a horse and say ’I like him. I’ll give him a go’.’’
Going to America has been the most memorable ride for Gayle as she didn’t have the money for the fare.
Instead, she raised $40,000, mainly with sponsorship from Laminex and Formica, as well as some donations and raffles.
Gayle also represented Australia at the Fauresmith 200km marathon ride, near Bloemfontein in South Africa, and this time the team won a gold medal.
For her, the key to endurance success is finding a good horse and working as a team.
Gayle started endurance riding on Faraway Verdict.
That was in a 600km race between horses and camels … from Wentworth on the Murray River at the New South Wales-Victoria border, to Kingston – a coastal town about 300km south of Adelaide.
Gayle and Faraway finished third in the race that showed horses were fastest over that course.
“He was just a beautiful horse.
“He once saved another horse that was drowning in a river.
“Another time he saved me. I was riding another horse and hanging off him trying to retrieve the weight belt that had slipped.
“The fear in my voice made Fara stop, turn around and come back to me.’’
