The story
Bruce Neal was the son of Bob and Jan Neal who were very active endurance riders and members of ACTERA during the 1980s.
The Neals had an Arab stud near Canberra, Wybalena Lodge, that bred some successful endurance horses. The whole family, particularly Jan, were active and successful endurance riders.
Bruce rode as a junior but never got to realise his full potential for endurance riding. He died from cancer at an early age, leaving a wife and two small children.
Jan and Bob decided to fund the Bruce Neal Trophy in memory of their son, to recognise the horsemanship skills of young local riders.
The trophy
The Bruce Neal trophy is a perpetual trophy awarded each year to a worthy junior rider at the National Capital Brookvale ride. It is awarded on the basis of horsemanship demonstrated during the ride, as judged by the ride committee and head vet.
The trophy has been specially designed to incorporate a buckle of the kind used by ACTERA when Bruce was riding.
| Year | Venue | Rider | Horse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ride not held | ||
| 2020 | Ride not held | ||
| 2019 | Brookvale | Tegan Ashby | Yinbilliko Shaka Zulu |
| 2018 | Brookvale | Levi Robinson | Karumba Beamish |
| 2017 | Brookvale | Celia Hodgson | Blake’s Heaven Carousel |
| 2016 | Ride not held | ||
| 2015 | No 80km ride | ||
| 2014 | Brookvale | Levi Robinson | Karumba Beamish |
| 2013 | Brookvale | Cybele Coddington | Wanstead Abracadabra |
| 2012 | Brookvale | Olivia de Gruchy | Blake’s Heaven Ventura |
| 2011 | Brookvale | Maddison Wade | Yinbilliko Shaka Zulu |
| 2010 | Kambah | Olivia de Gruchy | Jupiter Mikena |
| 2009 | Brookvale | Maddison Wade | Trigger |
| 2008 | Equestrian Park | Jeremy Banwell | Lac-la-Biche Talique |
| 2007 | No ride (equine influenza) | ||
| 2006 | Equestrian Park | Talea Hasko-Stewart | Blake’s Heaven Ventura |
| 2005 | Trophy not awarded | ||
| 2004 | Brookvale | Amanda McDonald | Blake’s Heaven Romany |
| 2003 | No ride (bushfires) | ||
| 2002 | Brookvale | Catherine Sirr | Blake’s Heaven Ventura |
| 2001 | Brookvale | Zoe Locke | Wealdbarns Mardi |
| 2000 | Brookvale | Rochelle Knihinicki | Tuldar Ronnie |