The Australian Trail Horse Riders Association (ATHRA) is the largest organisation in Australia that supports, educates and promotes safe and environmentally responsible trail horse riding.

ATHRA was formed in January 1972 at Gatton in South-East Queensland, and currently represents the interests of 78 affiliated trail horse riding clubs and around 2,800 individual members.

ATHRA delivers a comprehensive suite of products and services to its members, and welcomes anyone who loves riding, the outdoors and sharing this experience with like-minded people.

We offer a number of fun and engaging events including ‘Come and Try Days’, Regional Camps, Navigation Rides and Expos.

We ensure you ride with confidence by providing members with key insurances such as personal accident whilst participating on any ATHRA sanctioned club ride, 24/7 personal liability, management liability, professional indemnity and general liability insurance cover.

During the 50 years since inception, ATHRA has provided its services to nearly 17,000 individual members. It is now a truly national body, with clubs and members in most states and territories in Australia.

ATHRA’s management structure provides for an elected Executive Board of five Directors, supported by the introduction in 2022 of a paid Executive Officer, supported by a number of volunteer positions covering member communication (newsletter), website, insurance, membership registration, merchandising, regional access coordination and accreditation training and registration.

The Association does not have a ‘bricks and mortar’ address; the Executive Officer works from home and all elected and appointed position holders are unpaid volunteers working from private addresses.

All ATHRA-sanctioned events conducted by affiliated clubs are primarily non-competitive.

To be consistently recognised as Australia’s premier representative body for trail horse riders.

To educate, guide and promote safe and environmentally responsible trail horse riding in Australia, and in doing so help preserve our heritage and promote the benefit of this recreational activity to our physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being.

• Professionalism, ethics, honesty and transparency in the administration of affiliated clubs and the Association
• Respect for the environment
• Respect for other user groups
• Equal opportunity
• Kindness and support
• Creation of a trail riding environment free of bullying, racism, sexual harassment and all forms of discrimination

ATHRA recognises the following individuals, organisations, and government departments as stakeholders in the Association’s affairs and the successful delivery of its services:

• Affiliated clubs
• Australian Horse Industry Council
• Horse Safety Australia
• Bicentennial National Trail Ltd
• Horse SA (South Australia)
• Outdoors Queensland
• Outdoors Victoria
• Outdoors NSW
• Outdoors Council of Australia
• Government of Queensland – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (biosecurity)
• Government of Queensland – Department of Sport and Recreation, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (funding)
• Government of Queensland – National Parks, (access)
• Government of Western Australia – Department of Agriculture and Food (biosecurity)
• Government of Western Australia – Department of Sport and Recreation (access and funding)
• Government of Victoria – Parks Victoria
• Government of Victoria – Department Energy, Environment and Climate Action
• Government of New South Wales – Office of Environment and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS
• Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Ambassadors
• SEQ Water
• Brisbane City Council
• Rail Trails Australia
• Rail Trails NSW
• Land managers of public- and crown-owned parks and forests
• Private landowners