A coveted belt buckle

@JudyEv (382258)
Rockingham, Australia
October 5, 2021 7:41pm CST
We recently returned from taking photos at a horse endurance ride. Most of the rides vary in distance from 10 km up to 80 km. Only a few offer rides of 160 kms. However, on this national ride, every rider was attempting 160 kms in 24 hours. Known as the Tom Quilty Gold Cup ride, it came about as a bet between two old station owners. Tom Quilty believed that the horses of the time weren’t as tough as the horses of his youth. He put up 1,000 pounds to have a Gold Cup made and the other, R M Williams, organised the first ride. Those who finish and vet through are awarded a Quilty buckle. These are sponsored by individuals or businesses. To gain a Quilty buckle is on every endurance rider’s bucket list. The record is 21 buckles.
18 people like this
17 responses
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (56322)
• Canada
6 Oct 21
That is a pretty impressive looking buckle, and I think that I recognize the sponsors' names
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
Haha - well done! We also put a voucher for a free photo in every competitor's 'goody bag'.
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (174558)
• United States
6 Oct 21
That's a very nice buckle. Do a lot of the riders actually use it or is it just a keepsake kind of thing?
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
Some would wear it but others would display it somewhere probably.
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (174558)
• United States
6 Oct 21
@JudyEv One of my older brothers used to ride in rodeos all across the country. They also gave belt buckles for winning different categories. He had one whole wall covered in buckles... That seemed weird to me.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
@DaddyEvil I guess it's like a trophy and they usually get displayed so why not buckles?
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502573)
• Italy
6 Oct 21
This buckle is beautiful and I see that you and Vince are the sponsor. Well done!
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (502573)
• Italy
7 Oct 21
@JudyEv This is such a great tradition, I am sure the competitors appreciated.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
We gave a photo voucher to each competitor too. All the riders got a 'goody bag' with bits and pieces in it.
2 people like this
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (69185)
• Centralia, Washington
6 Oct 21
You two are so cool. Thanks for showing that wonderful photo and for telling about that fascinating history.
2 people like this
Fleur
@Fleura (35055)
• United Kingdom
7 Oct 21
@JudyEv Tell us the story Judy!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
@Fleura Okay. I'll start working on it! lol
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
R M Williams was a great maker of saddles, whips and boots. His is a fascinating story.
2 people like this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Oct 21
Wow this is very impressive.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
It's a big deal to the riders.
2 people like this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
7 Oct 21
@JudyEv I am sure it is.
2 people like this
Scott Andersen
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Oct 21
21 or 2100 miles. wow. that is a lot of riding. i am sure that person had a sore bum!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
They have sheepskin seats on their saddles but nothing would stop a sore bum at the end of 100 miles.
2 people like this
Scott Andersen
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
7 Oct 21
@JudyEv nothing would i agree. my bum is sore after driving 100 miles!
1 person likes this
snowy
@snowy22315 (209009)
• United States
6 Oct 21
Interesting story..I guess belt buckles are kind of like trophies.
2 people like this
snowy
@snowy22315 (209009)
• United States
6 Oct 21
@JudyEv How very nice..
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
Yes, that's exactly right. A guy that sells leather goods gifted each buckle winner with a belt.
3 people like this
Shavkat
@Shavkat (141905)
• Philippines
6 Oct 21
I like this belt buckle. I wonder how heavy it is.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
I guess it has a certain amount of weight to it.
2 people like this
Bojel
@jobelbojel (36796)
• Philippines
6 Oct 21
That is a nice buckle. If I am part of it, I want it for sure.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
It is really a great achievement to get a Quilty buckle.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54716)
• United States
6 Oct 21
It’s a beauty.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
It is quite impressive, that's for sure.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Oct 21
Nice buckle. Someone has a lot of miles to get that many
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
That's so true. He is an old man now.
2 people like this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Oct 21
That is a very nice looking buckle,
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
It is very distinctive, that's for sure.
2 people like this
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (21492)
• London, England
6 Oct 21
I don't have 21 belts, so good job I didn't enter!
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
I guess by the 21st, you'd be a bit over all the hype - or maybe not.
2 people like this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222527)
• United States
6 Oct 21
It was nice of you to sponsor a belt buckle.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
Thanks. We sell our photos so feel it's only fair to put something back into the association.
2 people like this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
6 Oct 21
Oh my Judy that is fabulous that buckle!!
1 person likes this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
7 Oct 21
@JudyEv Tis indeed
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
It's quite distinctive, isn't it?
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (35055)
• United Kingdom
6 Oct 21
So now you have become sponsors too!
1 person likes this
Fleur
@Fleura (35055)
• United Kingdom
6 Oct 21
@JudyEv That's a great idea. And I hope the winners buy a photo from you too!
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
@Fleura We usually do quite well out of the photos - pay our expenses and a bit over. And it's a buzz when someone raves about a photo on the FB page and you've taken it.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Oct 21
Yes, we have. In the past, we have given photo vouchers and a horse rug or two. We sell quite a few photos from each ride so it's nice to be able to give something back.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Oct 21
That's quite an accomplishment.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Oct 21
@JudyEv Yes, they do.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Oct 21
They put in a lot of effort so they deserve any completions that they manage.
1 person likes this