Mackinder Endurance PTY Ltd. is a renowned horse riding school located in Kurrajong, Australia, founded by Alan Mackinder, a third-generation horseman. With a passion for horses since his childhood, Alan has extensive experience in various equestrian disciplines, including showing, Pony Club, and trail riding. It was his introduction to endurance riding through trail riding that sparked his love for the sport.
One of the highlights of Mackinder Endurance is their Mackinder Flex Ride Saddle, which is built on their own tree. This allows them to set the standard for endurance saddles, ensuring that they meet the specific necessities of the sport. The Flex Ride Saddle has the benefits that a tree provides, unlike treeless saddles. It offers a comfortable and secure seat for riders, providing stability and support during long rides.
Mackinder Endurance is situated at 248 Cedar Ridge Road, Kurrajong, NSW 2758. For any inquiries or scheduling, individuals can contact them at (02) 4576 1362 or via email at macendur@ihug. Com. au.
Alan Mackinder, the founder of Mackinder Endurance, has an impressive rider profile with over 12,000 competitive endurance kilometres under his belt. Some notable achievements include winning the Tom Quilty and Best Conditioned titles at the National Championships, completing the Shahzada 400 km ride and achieving the Best Conditioned award. He was also the first rider to earn a Shahzada 4,000 km buckle. Alan has completed twelve 160 km rides on five different horses and eleven 400 km rides using six different horses.
He holds six Tom Quilty buckles, including two Best Conditioned awards.
Apart from being an accomplished rider, Alan is also a skilled saddlemaker. He completed a saddle-making apprenticeship with John Charlton Saddlers, learning the craft from English tradesmen. After completing his apprenticeship and receiving the Craftsmanship Certificate, he was approached to rebuild World War I saddles for the Lancers at Parramatta when they formed a mounted detachment in the late 70s. For the next ten years, Alan supported his passion for endurance riding by rebuilding military saddles and manufacturing various types of saddles for dressage, show, polo, and jumping.
He then managed Horseland Richmond, one of the largest saddlery retail stores in the Horseland group, for twelve years. However, after the 2000 Olympics, he decided to specialise in developing purpose-designed and built endurance saddlery.
The Mackinder Flex Ride Saddle, designed by Alan Mackinder, is the heart of their saddle collection. It offers several key benefits, including correct rider position and postural support, correct weight loading and dissipation, and flexibility in both the medial and lateral directions. This allows for freedom of movement for horses, as well as providing riders with a balanced and comfortable position. The saddle's design allows the rider's pelvis to be easily maintained in an upright position, promoting natural movement and harmony with the horse.
In terms of construction, the trees used in the Mackinder saddles are made from rigid materials such as timber, steel, fibreglass, and structural polyurethanes. However, the Flex Foam tree used in the Flex Ride Saddle allows for adaptability to the daily fluctuations experienced by endurance athletes. The saddle also features a panel lined with pure wool felt, known for its absorbent and insulative properties, aiding in heat dissipation. Between the wool felt lining and the tree, a slow-release foam is used to alleviate pressure points, similar to foam used in long-term hospital patient care.
Mackinder Endurance PTY Ltd. strives to provide top-quality saddle products and riding experiences for endurance riders in Kurrajong and beyond. With Alan Mackinder's expertise as both an experienced rider and saddlemaker, individuals who choose Mackinder Endurance can trust that they are in capable hands.