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 & brood mare manager with Thoroughbreds. Competes and breeds her own stock horses in team penning, showing and camp-drafting.
	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.
	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 6500km with Castlebar and took out the inaugural 2009 Young Horse Championships on Castlebar Moonlight. Has competed in the South African National Championships at Fauresmith and also in the Trans Tasman Challenge at Ruahine in New Zealand.
	Mark Peel Master Farrier for Castlebar. Grew up in Camden in a family that has bred and shown in excess of 45 Royal Show Champion Clydesdales & harness horses. In 2002 - At the National Championships Blacksmith & Farriers Association - won an event. Worked with many vets and has shod several Gr 1 winning Thoroughbreds (including shoeing the Melbourne Cup Carnival) & numerus top level performance horses. Amateur boxer - 3 wins from 3 fights. Currently campaigning a 4 horse team for combined driving event as well as competing in endurance - Won the Vic State Championships in 2010, as well as coming 3rd for distance & 4th for points.