Celebrating epic ride for University foundation

The statue of Sir Walter Watson Hughes in front of the Mitchell Building
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Friday, 11 June 2010

Twenty-five horse riders will parade up North Terrace to the University of Adelaide on Tuesday morning in a symbolic re-enactment of the epic ride from Moonta to Adelaide which helped establish both Yorke Peninsula's copper industry and the University of Adelaide.

As part of the Copper Coast's 150th anniversary celebrations, the riders are following in the path of William Horn who rode through the night - covering 264kms in 22 hours - to register a copper claim ahead of rivals on behalf of Sir Walter Watson Hughes, the University's founding benefactor.

The riders from Yorke Peninsula's Central Zone Pony Club, will set out from Moonta on Saturday 12 June at 8:30am, and ride in stages over the long weekend, riding past the statue of Sir Walter Watson Hughes in front of the University's Mitchell Building and finishing at Bonython Hall at 10:30am Tuesday 15 June.

At Bonython Hall, a formal framed greeting in recognition of the event will be presented by Copper Coast Mayor Paul Thomas to Lord Mayor of Adelaide Michael Harbison and Professor Peter Dowd, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences.

Presentations to the riders will be followed by a morning tea featuring Cornish pasties from the renowned Prices Bakery and a display in the foyer of Bonython Hall of copper ore specimens from the area, including loans from the South Australian Museum.

William Horn went on to become a mining magnate, pastoralist and politician. Sir Walter became the largest shareholder in the Wallaroo and Moonta Mining and Smelting Company. His gift of £20,000 in 1872 led to the foundation of the University of Adelaide in 1874, giving South Australia the nation's third university.

WHAT: Re-enactment of William Horn's epic ride from Moonta to Adelaide to secure a copper mining claim
WHERE: Bonython Hall, University of Adelaide, North Terrace
WHEN: Riders depart the Torrens Parade Ground at 10am and travel up North Terrace to Bonython Hall, arriving at 10:30am

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