05/08/2021
It was with great sadness this last week that we learnt of the passing of Erica Williams (1931 -2021). An iconic, yet most humble, lady who has long been associated with the sport of endurance riding in Australia.
In 1966 Erica, in partnership with husband R.M., was an important founding driver of the sport of Australian endurance riding. Certainly, it was her foresight that led to the early enlistment of equine veterinary support (Prof Hutchins from University of Sydney) and the establishment of exemplary standards of horse welfare which stood the sport in such good stead for so many years.
Erica spent a good part of her life on the back of a good horse. Always a horse enthusiast from very young and later long days mustering at Rockybar Station meant she was extraordinarily well versed in how to prepare, ride and manage a horse for long days in the saddle. In 1975, she became the first woman to win the Quilty on her homebred gelding, Noddy. Notwithstanding by 1975 she had already completed the event eight times.
In all, Erica ended her endurance career with 13 Quilty buckles. The last one was at the Boonah TQ in 2000 aboard her lovely homebred mare Martina (Tallangatta Muftakher x Quebec). Another of her special favourites, was Sharahd Friday (Tallangatta Muftakher x Sharahd Francoise) on whom she achieved 3 of her buckles. There is a wonderful photograph of him on the back cover of her book “The Quilty Years”.
Over the years Erica served time on both the National and State Committees administrating and promoting many aspects of the sport of endurance. Wonderful educational weekends were spent in places like Charleville, Jericho or North Queensland, with her mentoring and championing distant clubs and members. Erica ever ready to jump on a plane to travel all over to lend a hand. An insightful and knowledgeable horsewoman Erica was always incredibly generous and didn’t hesitate to share her knowledge and expertise.
“For myself, any contributions I have made to the sport of Endurance riding have been repaid many times with the pleasure I receive from being part of the ‘Endurance family’”.
Erica also successfully bred athletic Arabians and Arabian derivative endurance horses at Wealdbarns, near Toowoomba, Queensland. Many of which went on to compete at the highest level, several on the international stage.
The grey mare, Natsu (Chip Chase Nasareth x Quebec), is one that comes to mind, the younger sister of Martina. Natsu was a good example of the influential lines Erica valued over so many years. Natsu was second generation homebred being out of one of Erica’s renown Q mares Quebec. Quebec was by the G*iney bred stallion G*i General imp USA, out of the Royal Domino mare Quito. Quito out of Qasim, an important foundation mare for her program. Natsu was successful at the World Equestrian Championships in 1998 earning an individual bronze medal for Japan. Quickstep (Phaeton x Qasim) another common ancestor in many good endurance lines – eg Ralvon, Aloha, Talquah, Everon Park to name a few.
Erica was a fabulous horsewoman. She appreciated all aspects of the equation and equitation. We are all the poorer for her loss and thank her for just being Erica! (The pic is from Roma 1999, with Martina. She rocked up to Roma, by herself, float, ute, swag, and just did her thing, totally self reliant. She just thought that it was the way it should be done!)
