2002 ATHRA Website Banner 2

2002 ATHRA Website buttons rectangular4

2002 ATHRA Website buttons rectangular2

2002 ATHRA Website buttons rectangular5

Be a part of Australia’s premier representative body for Trail Horse Riders.

Ride with confidence when you have an ATHRA club membership.

ATHRA provides members with great value and benefits.

Default
Default

Default (58)

11/05/2010 Alan Salter, Kerry Biggs and Andrew Inglis attended a tourism and recreation group made up of different user groups and convened by Parks Victoria.

The group had substantial input into the Alpine National Park draft management plan re access and general management issues and resolved to investigate the continuation of this group as a reference group which would be written into the management plan. This would mean that the group would have the ability to make ongoing recommendations as to how the park is managed even after the plan is finalised.

3/5/2010 A horse riding reference group for the Bunyip state forest was created to address the access issues that horse riders have in this park. Of major importance was loop rides and safe unloading areas. This group will meet quarterly for the moment.

Mary Hughes and Andrew Inglis are the ATHRA representatives on this committee.

24-25/04/2010 As part of the 'Black Saturday' rebuild BNT coordinators and DSE organised 20+, mainly ATHRA volunteers to help rebuild the horse yards at Andreson Mill between Narbethong and Marysville. This is the second camp site on the BNT.

12/04/2010 Recreational trail riders were represented at the inaugural "Healthy Parks Healthy People" international congress by Andrew Inglis who presented a personal testimonial titled ' Old bushwalkers don't die, they just see more on a horse.

Andrew was supported on the day by Kerry Biggs and Mary Hughes

Andrew's congress fee was sponsored by ATHRA

Members of the Environment and Access Committee contributing to the Parks Vic wePlan web site.

20/7/2009 ATHRA Vic vision plan for the Greater Alpine NP posted on wePlan.

27/7/2009 The Environment and Access Committee met with Parks Vic Visitor Experience Team this meeting set the ground work for a promising future relationship between ATHRA Vic and Parks Vic. Alan Salter and Andrew Inglis met with Parks Vic, and discussed the Development of a Memorandum of Cooperation which would highlight areas of cooperation and communication between the two organisations. More meetings to come.

9/5/2009 Input to Parks Vic wePlan commenced

11/1/2009 Horse yards completed at the Stable Picnic site at the Doongala National Park .

General assistance to clubs and individuals ATHRA riders ongoing.

11/11/2008 Review of thirteen envivonmental rules, will be fifteen when adopted at ATHRA AGM .

15/10/2008 ATHRA GUIDELINES TO COMBAT PHYTOPHORA IMPROVED. ATHRA VIC acknowledges input from Forest Horse Riding Club and Horse SA . Formally adopted : 15 October 2008.

7/10/2008 Work Commenced on the development of electonic presentation re horse riding and the envionment near completion. To be used as a tool for general education and submissions to regulatory bodies. Will be downloadable from the ATHRA Vic Tracks and Access web tab.

27/9/2008 ATHRA Vic. committee all make personal donations towards construction of horse yards in the Dandenong National Park.

16/9/2008 MEETING WITH PARKS VIC STRATEGIC PLANNER Date to be set.

15/9/2008 ALPINE N.P. MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW . WORK ON HOLD AWAITING MEETING WITH PARKS PLANNER

4/9/2008 PARKS VIC . DEVIL BEND : response to comments issue paper. Submitted

31/9/2008 DSE submission for Thompson River Reserve . Submitted

23/8/2008 Tracks and Access web tab under major review


Welcome to the VICTORIAN trails and access web page.

The purpose of this page is to assist ATHRA VIC members with any riding track access issue they may have.

Increasingly, public  land managers such as local councils, ParksVic and DELWP are placing limitations on users of their lands.  Also, as the Victorian population grows and there are more recreational demands, not only by horse riders but by other users such as trail bikers and 4WD clubs, on bush and forest areas, ATHRA members are competing more for quiet and safe enjoyment of these lands.

Our ATHRA Code of conduct encourages members to respect these lands and follow requirements of the land managers. At the same time, it is important that horse riders are not disadvantaged while other users, particularly of the passive kind, like us, are not.

If there is any opportunity, while riding or in any other context, to establish a rapport with the land manager, eg. with the DELWP officers or ParksVic rangers, then do so.  Being friendly, approachable and informative yourself, may encourage a more positive attitude to horse riders.  For example, if you are out riding and notice an unauthorised dump of rubbish or a damaged fence or cavaletti, do report it.  This can help officials to see horse riders as an attentive, useful and valuable aid to lands management.

If you require ‘higher’ help from ATHRA with an access issue please  provide us as many of the following details as possible:
1.Park or area name and address,
2.Ranger or council officer name and contact details if known and applicable,
3.Specific tracks you want access to or have difficulties using,
4.What are the actual issues – conflict with other users, lost access when it was available in the past, damaged and dangerous trails?
5.What signage, if any is relevant to the track/s,
6.Frequency of your use and what you know of other horse rider usage of the area

Do remember that if the track of concern is well known to you, you probably have more on the ground information about it than we can obtain. So please, think about the level of assistance that is achievable by ATHRA..

We can make phone enquiries and write a complete submission for you, provide guidance or after reviewing your own personal submission (and possibly requesting some changes) have it endorsed by ATHRA VIC which will give it a little more ‘weight’.

We encourage you to speak with other horse riders, whether or not ATHRA members, to gain their insight, support and any relevant information to assist.
Where ATHRA might have access to such information, we aim to keep members  informed of the status of management plans that may affect  access to riding horse tracks in Victoria. 

The proposed Great Forest National Park (GFNP) to the east of Melbourne is a key example.The GFNP is in the Central Highlands region of Victoria, located around towns such as Healesville, Kinglake, Noojee, Toolangi, Warburton, Marysville and Woods Point. Many ATHRA members in Victoria live or ride in and around these areas.  The proposed  GFNP will see a considerable expansion of and changes to the tenure of public lands and former logging forests.


For more information or if you need assistance contact: Mary Hughes,  ATHRA’s Victorian Access Issues Manager  at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

Under Construction

Horse SA is a not for profit industry representative body for all horse owners, riders and enthusiasts.

Click here for HorseSA.

Interested in starting a trail network?  Thanks to HorseSA, start here with an Action Planner.   This document will help you start your journey.

Want to grade your trails?  Trail Classification

Want to solve a wet area issue on your trail?  Horse Trail Design Solutions - Recreational Shared Use Trails in Wet Areas poster.


HORSELANDWATER: PERI-URBAN PROJECT

HorseLandWater Peri-Urban Project Newsletter #2 April 2007

Sharing the good news about healthy horses & good land management practices!

Horse property & horse owners and natural resources managers working together to improve the health of horses and of the environment.

You are invited to join the team!

To engage with other like-minded people about horse keeping practices on peri-urban properties around our major cities and regional towns, using the resources and tools found on  www.horseslandwater.com
To network with, and contribute to, government planning & policy related to horse keeping properties and natural resources management (land management practices)
To engage with other horse property managers and owners to share information about good land management practices in relation to horse keeping – working towards nationally agreed principles and a recognition program.
Funding for this project has been provided through the National Landcare Program - Natural Resource Innovation Grant

General Contact: Julie Fiedler, Horse SA PO Box 483 Plympton SA 5038 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mob 0402 488 306 www.horseslandwater.com

 

The Trails Alliance of South Australia would like to announce their new website
 
www.trailsalliance.org
 
with member groups from Bike SA, Conservation Council of SA, Walking SA, Friends of Parks and Horse SA.  
 

16/09/08

We are in the process of gathering photos for the production of a BNT Photostory that will replace the current promotional material we have been using for some years.  I encourage you to please help us with this most exciting production and ask you to please send in some of your favourite shots.   Details for compiling the photos and permission forms attached.  Hoping to see you in the new production.  Please send them in as soon as possible.

Kind Regards

Mal Keeley, Chairperson, BNT Board of Directors

Click here for Contributor Guidelines; Photo Permission form; Photo Permission form for Under 18's; or contact the BNT direct.

The Bicentennial National Trail is one of the longest marked trekking route of its kind in the world, stretching an extraordinary 5,330 kilometres from Cooktown in tropical North Queensland, to Healesville in Victoria.

 The inspiration of the legendary bushman R M Williams,  the Trail follows the historic coach and stock routes, old pack horse trails, and country roads. Wherever possible along its great length the Trail has been designed to be a "living history" of our country, following the routes of our early pioneers and highlighting historic sites and artifacts along the way.

As it winds virtually the length of the country, the Trail links eighteen of the country's National Parks, and reveals some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. It traverses lush tropical rainforests, rugged mountains, valleys and gorges, remote dry plains, alpine meadows, snowfields and wilderness.

The Trail gives access to some of the wildest, most remote country in the world and provides endless fascination for those interested in Australia's unique fauna and flora.

The Trail's enormous potential is being tapped by people involved in all sorts of activities as well as the horse riding and bush walking for which it was initially established. Now camping and fishing, fossicking, canoeing, bird watching, orienteering, survival training, mountain bike riding, and travelling in horse drawn vehicles are just some of the activities being pursued along its great length.

The route of the Bicentennial National Trail lies within four hours' drive of 11 million Australians and its length and variety ensure it can be all things to all people; a wilderness or a weekend ramble, a place for the experienced trekker or the first time adventurer. Age is also no barrier to enjoying the pleasures of the Trail. Everyone, from little  children to those of advanced years will find areas perfectly suited to both their fitness level and their interests.

Experienced trekkers will find as many challenges as they care to confront, while the less experienced can choose a section of the Trail which will give them more easy-going adventure.

The Trail attracts both town and country visitors, local and international tourists. All international visitors are advised to contact the Australian Consulate in their country of origin to access information regarding visas and visa extensions. The trail may take one year or more to complete depending on your level of fitness, your mode of travel and the extra time you spend to absorb the wonders of Australia.

Bush walking clubs, horse riding and pony clubs, guides, scouts, environmental and bushcraft groups, and everyone who loves the Australian bush and its unique attractions will find the Trail a profoundly enjoyable experience, rich with interest.

ATHRA is an integral part of the BNT as many clubs are section coordinators, volunteering hours of time maintaining the trail.  

Click here to visit the BNT site
 



PACK HORSE TRAINING MANUAL (FROM "TRACKS" MARCH 2007 ISSUE)
The National Trail's maestro Mike Allen, who for twenty years has watched trekkers and their packhorses along the national Trail, has written this fabulous book.  The book combines Mike's own extensive knowledge of the BNT and that of the bushman he encountered whilst negotiating and mapping the Trail.  The result is one of the best-informed books on pack trekking available.  The price is $25 and available from the BNT office.

Through ATHRA's ongoing education program "Sharing the Bush", ATHRA is establishing dialogue with other bush user groups to discuss common issues of concern.   Click here for more information.



Wecome to your ATHRA  trails and access web page.

The main purpose of this page is to assist ATHRA members with any track and trail access issues they may have. 

If you require help with an access issue please try and have as many of the following details as possible:

  1. Park name.
  2. Rangers name and contact details if applicable.
  3. Specific tracks you want access to (do you want to do a loop or return ride?)
  4. What sinage, if any are relevant to the track/s.
  5. One day ride or several days including camping areas.

Please remember that if the track of concern is well known to you, you probably have more on the ground information about it than we do. So please, think about the level of assistance you want.

We can, make phone enquiries and write a complete submission for you, provide guidance or after reviewing your own personal submission (and possibly requesting some changes) have it endorsed by ATHRA  which will give it a little more weight.


For more information or if you need assistance on any of the above, please contact



Pam O'Neill on 0409 224 605

The importance of the horse in Australia’s cultural heritage is often exploited when it comes to significant events like  the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. Our folklore is rich in stories of horses and horsemanship. Yet, despite the obvious bond Australians have with these traditions, present day Australian Governments and bureaucrats are making it increasingly difficult, for those of us who love horses, to keep alive the enjoyment of riding horses through the Australian countryside.

The Australian Horse Alliance (AHA) was formed in 1993 to try and arrest growing anti-horse sentiments that are threatening horse riding access to public land.  

The AHA is an umbrella organisation representing the views of the recreational horse riding fraternity. The Management Committee is comprised, in part, of representatives of a number of Peak bodies. These bodies include the NSW Pony Club Association, Australian Trail Horse Riders Association (ATHRA), the NSW Endurance Riders Association, (NSW-ERA) and Horse Riding Centres of Australia (representing commercial riding centres). The remainder of the Committee consists of delegates from a number of riding clubs. Many clubs, individuals and families have now joined the AHA to provide much needed financial and other support.

The AHA is organised in two levels: the Management Committee and a number of local branches. To date local branches have been formed in the Mid North Coast, The Hunter District, the Central Coast and the Illawarra.  

The AHA can be looked upon as the political wing of the horse riding fraternity. It is NOT a party political organisation but we are not so naïve as to believe we can get anywhere without accepting the realities of the political system. The AHA regularly lobbies politicians of all parties and senior bureaucrats with regard to horse access issues. Delegates from the Management Committee have spoken to the NSW Minister for the Environment and to the Director General of NPWS on a number of occasions.

In addition to this, the AHA provides support in the form of information and tactical advice for regional groups who are fighting for local access rights. In 1998 an ‘Information Package’ was produced to provide useful information to anyone who is involved in educating and lobbying bureaucrats and politicians. This is available to members for the cost of printing ($20). This website will also be used for disseminating information.

An initiative we consider of crucial importance is the replacement of the existing Horse Riding Policy for National  Parks. The AHA has drawn up a draft document and is currently negotiating with NPWS on the matter. The Policy seeks to establish a number of general principles which obviate the usual objections and give horse riders certain rights which must be factored into any plan of management. Without such a document we face the same tired old arguments and go through the same dispute whenever a new plan of management is released.

While the AHA headquarters are based in NSW and the association is therefore most active in that state we are aware that riders are facing similar obstacles in other states and groups and individuals from other states have also joined the AHA for support.

Visit the AHA here

Please visit our Code of Conduct which sets out instructions and guidelines on how to run a trail rides.  It includes your pre and post ride forms, risk management matrix and much, much more!

HorseSA has prepared the Horse Riding and Road Safety Handbook.  ATHRA thanks Julie Fiedler for her continued hard work and dedication to all aspects of the horse industry.

"Few riders can escape riding on roads near or with traffic. No matter how good a rider you are in the arena or on a cross country course, you will always be challenged with issues of safety for you and your horse while riding on the roads.

 In most situations, drivers will mostly think two things about horse riders on public roads:

  •  you shouldn’t be on the road (which is not correct) or ;
  •  you can completely control your horse at all times, and therefore do not need any special considerations as another road user

Traffic volumes are increasing and through lack of education and life experiences, most drivers do not understand the likely behaviour of horses they are passing on the road. In addition, by law riders must take responsibility for their actions on public roads.

To make our riding experience on roads a safe and pleasurable one, due courtesy and consideration must be given to all other road users. The aim of this booklet, in conjunction with the Australian Road Rules (including the Driver’s Handbook), is to promote responsible, considerate and courteous riding on the roads by all riders. It will also promote, the training of horses to be on roadways and roadside trails.

It will raise the riders awareness of safety, and encourage them to dress in clearly visible clothing and to participate in any riding and road safety horse and/or rider training courses."

This initiative was passed at the 2006 National AGM in April and is part of our strategy of bringing "clubs and people" into the ATHRA organisation and administration. ATHRA would now like to back up our talk with statistics! Stage 1 requests each and every club to submit an Annual Report for their Branch AGM.  Use of these statistics has been very successful!  Thank you Clubs!

This data has assisted and identified who is doing what and gains best practice for all! It is about gaining information to assist ATHRA combat access issues and provide "Good Stories" to media to maintain as high a profile as possible in addition to general good practice administration.

Did you know that ATHRA Clubs and Members have raised in excess of $1.5M for Charities and community services!  Fund raising is a major part of the ATHRA culture!

So please, continue to fill in your form each year.

Page 3 of 5

 

        ABOUT ATHRA        CONTACT US        ATHRA BOARD        FAQ'S        BIOSECURITY        ACCREDITATION        MERCHANDISE        OUR PARTNERS

2002 ATHRA Website Home Page Footer