Cold howling winds greeted two endurance riders from tiny Tooraweenah vying for state prominence at the NSW titles near Orange on Sunday 5 October. 

Gruelling 160km journeys faced the pair but their coach Sonia Bonham was confident up-front in saying Lara Duff could produce a win. 

‘’Lara is already a national champion and just 15 years old so this was another big mission. She did it in 11 hours 34 minutes to become state champion. 

"She rode out just after 2am Sunday and had the right stuff to figure in the finish.’’ 

Her team mate Sara Worner came 4th in the lightweight division in 12 hours 27 minutes. 

"Sara is in her forties, so very experienced, and she also rode brilliantly," says Sonia. 

Sara Worner with Lara Duff on their Tooraweenah bred horses.

Seventy competitors faced the starter with a long climb through the mountain area along the boundary fence which overlooks the massive Cadia mine. 

Sonia says the strong winds were troubling but the horses and riders were made of tough stuff. 

‘’They're Box Hill Arabians bred in Tooraweenah. These are world class animals and can handle the worst weather conditions,’’ she said.

The pair of riders faced loops of 40 kilometres and were vetted at every stage to ensure their metabolic and heart rates were suitable. 

‘’We're very proud of our riders - they are ambassadors for our area," said Sonia. 

She didn't ride herself due to injuries to her best horse.