17/05/2026
Chris Waller Racing recently teamed up with Yulong Stud to form Team Via Sistina and take part in Tour d’Horse which is a six‑day endurance ride in the Hunter Valley at Belltrees Station, raising funds for the KIDS Foundation.
The KIDS (Kids In Dangerous Situations) Foundation is an Australian charity, established in 1993, dedicated to keeping children safe from preventable injuries and providing support for those dealing with life‑altering trauma, burns, and genetic conditions. We were asked to raise $30,000 and, with the help of generous donors, have reached that target but the need continues, and we urge you to donate if you haven’t already.
Team Via Sistina saw Claudia McDougall (Yulong) complete two days of the endurance ride, and from Chris Waller Racing, Emily Inwood, Charlie Duckworth, Darren Beadman and Sophie Baker all played their part whether it was riding, entertaining, encouraging or giving the KIDS a race‑day experience.
During the week we met many brave children and young adults who are supported by KIDS. We had the privilege of having Fletcher Connolly as part of our team and we want to share the story that Fletcher’s brother, Spencer, has told.
In December 2012, Spencer was five years old when he and Fletcher were set on fire by their father. Their dad loaded open gas bottles into the boot of a car, lit a cigarette, and left the boys alone. Spencer received burns to 30% of his body, has undergone more than 50 operations, and will soon have further procedures for new prosthetic ears. Thirteen years on, Spencer has openly shared his experience with family violence and living with life‑altering scars.
Spencer remembers getting picked up from childcare and being told they were going on a picnic. “I didn’t want to get in the car and was throwing a tantrum… then an explosion went off. Fletcher and I were so lucky to get out of the car because if the doors were shut, we would have been gone.” He now sees his scars as symbols of strength, advocates for people with facial differences and disability.
KIDS Foundation provides vital medical care, rehabilitation, counselling and practical support to help children and families recover and rebuild. Your donation helps fund surgeries, therapy, mobility aids, counselling and programs that restore confidence and futures.
The amount of work that went into Tour d’Horse was incredible. Dr Suzie O’Neill, Founder & CEO of the KIDS Foundation, and her team do a tremendous job, and Emily Morris, our main point of contact, deserves huge credit for organising a dedicated group of volunteers. Behind the scenes there were countless efforts and donations: organising food for the week, arranging glamping tents, providing large numbers of horses each day, and matching riders to horses based on experience are just a few of the many tasks required to make Tour d’Horse happen. We must also acknowledge Anto and Alec White of Belltrees on preparing the horses, ensuring they were fit and well ahead of the ride each day.
We are extremely proud to be involved in Tour d’Horse and urge you to please donate if you haven’t already.
Thank you for supporting Team Via Sistina and the KIDS Foundation. Your generosity makes a real, lasting difference to children and families who need it most.
Photos: Nicole Cleary
Click the link below to donate.
https://www.kidsfoundation.org.au/fundraise/team-via-sistina
