Vale Claude Filleul

TEERA was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tasmanian endurance legend Claude Filleul last week. TEERA expresses its sincere condolences to Edna and family.

Andrew Miles

TEERA President

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Claude was founding member of TEERA. In 1975 a group, which included Claude, Don Fraser, Doug Lockhart, Max Denney and Pat Hodgetts (there may have been others), held a meeting at Deloraine and established a committee. The first ride was held at Sprent in conjunction with the school fair. Claude and Edna also hosted rides at their farm at Ridgley and Claude served on the management committees of both TEERA and AERA.

Claude’s riding career began when he was around 23. Gordan Williams and George Gaffney taught Claude to ride and his first horse, Joe, came from Gordan Williams. He trail rode extensively and was a member of the North West Hunt Club. Claude’s life revolved around horses and later, endurance.

He particularly loved 100 milers, and the challenges posed by rides such as the 100 miler that went up through Lake McKenzie. He achieved his first Quilty buckle in 1988, in Queensland, and played a key part in track marking for the 1993 Sheffield Quilty.

Other highlights in Claude’s riding career include success in two of the three Shahzada’s he attempted and his 1989 successful completion at the Tevis Cup in the United States. Amongst the horses he rode, Moonshine and Worrandi Marissa were a couple of his favourites. All the while, Claude was supported by strapper and cook, Edna.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.