Castlebar Endurance, Arabians

Meg Wade:

Meg Wade is not only a world class Endurance competitor, she is also a breeder of great Endurance Horses. Today Meg has completed 63 one-day 160km competitions - won 24 of these. Meg has been Australian Rider of the Year 9 times, has 3 team bronze medals at World Championships and an individual 4th placing at the 2002 World Championships. She has won the Tom Quilty Gold Cup 4 times.

Chris Gates:

Born in Nyngan, central NSW. His parents ran a large sheep farm there. Chris went to school in Sydney and continued his studies at Sydney University - Engineering.
Started Endurance in the early 1980's. A successful Endurance rider who now prefers to manage from the sidelines. He is the brains behind the development and management of the Castlebar farms.
Chris is an avid reader and sporting shooter

	Kristie Taprell (nee McGaffin) Manager and world class rider. Born in Wodonga, now lives in the Upper Murray Won the Tom Quilty Gold Cup in 2001 and 2003 Team Gold – YRWC 2005 Bahrain Team Silver – WC 2004 UAE
	Von Mitchell Mare and Young stock management 1999 - Diploma in Horse Business Management at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong. Worked at "Widden Stud" in the Hunter Valley, "Kildangan Stud" in Ireland and "The Oaks" in NZ - different positions including yearling & broodmare manager with Thoroughbreds. Competes and breeds her own stock horses in team penning and campdrafting.
	Jessica Dastani (nee Bawden) Work and competition rider. Born in Darwin but has lived in the Albury/Wodonga region for most of her life. Started with horses as a nine year old at Pony Club. Major achievement in Endurance – 4th place FEI 3* 120km at Monarto SA riding Ryton Remy Other interests – basketball, reading, music and movies
	Shelley Cowan Work and competition rider Born in New Zealand, moved to Australia in 2001. Started working for Castlebar in 2004 and completed her first Endurance ride in 2005. At the QLD State Championships in May 2010 came 4th Open FEI 3*. Won the 2008 SA State Championship 160km and her first Quilty buckle at Nanango 2008 Other interests – any animals! Camping, reading and movies. Breeds Burmese cats.
	Elodie Le Labourier Work and competition rider. Born and lives in France but is working at Castlebar for 2 years. Achievements include individual 2nd at Compiegne European Championships in 2005, individual 3rd at Aachen WEG 2006 and 3 times French Champion.
	Wendy Dower Work and competition rider. Born and raised in Monbulk, Mt Dandenong. Started working for Castlebar in 2008. Got her first horse at 7 and has participated in Pony Club, showing, jumping and Parelli. Began endurance riding in 2004. At the QLD 160km State Championships in May 2010 came 2nd MWT.
	Alamdar Dastani Born and raised in India. Was Assistant trainer in one of Dubai's leading endurance stables in 2004. 2006- worked and competed in Denmark for the Danish Endurance Team and was also the national trainer for them in 2007. End of 2007- was the Swedish national trainer where he was the Chef de Equip in the 2008 World Endurance Championships held in Malaysia. Will be India's Chef de Equip. at the 2010 Kentucky (USA) World Endurance Championships. Other interests - marine fish, chooks, wrist watches and fishing.
	Telisha McCallum Is our hay and feeds administrator. Born and raised in Corryong Victoria and has worked at Castlebar since 2008. Certificate 1 in Equine Studies, Certificate 2 in Agriculture Horse Breeding & Certificate 2 in Ag. welding. Other interests - Paint horses & campdrafting
	Linda Tanian Competition rider Born in Gippsland - Victoria, and has been competing in endurance since 1988. Commenced riding for Castlebar in 2004. Has successfully completed 5000km with Castlebar and took out the inaugural 2009 Young Horse Championships on Castlebar Moonlight.
	Zoe Gardner Competition rider born in Wangaratta, vic, lives in Porepunkah, Vic Started riding at 8 years old, competing through the years at riding club, showjumping, eventing,showing. Been doing endurance since 2000, riding for Castlebar since 2008. Breeder of warmbloods. Other interests include: Reading, watching movies & is up for any adventure!
	Phoebe Gardner Competition rider Born in wangaratta, Vic, Lives in Eldorado, Vic. Started pony club on a shetland pony at 5 years old, has been competing at pony club events ever since, been doing endurance & riding for Castlebar since 2008. Currently year 8 at Wangaratta High School. Other interests include: Running, shopping, swimming
	Shannon Howe Competition rider Born in Melbourne, now lives in Wodonga. Studying Environmental Science at La Trobe University