I first started riding horses for work when I was employed by the then Soil Conservation Authority in the late 1970’s to supervise summer cattle grazing in the Bogong, Snowy Bennison & Dargo High Plains.
Whilst I didn’t continue riding after those 5 years (even though my daughter and wife both rode) I never lost the desire to ride in the High country again, but my work in the mining industry as an Environment, Safety & Health Manager took me away a lot over the next 20 years.
It wasn’t until 2002, after we had moved up to our property at Mt Burnett in the Eastern Dandenongs that I started riding for pleasure. My wife was still riding, and I wanted to join her.
I purchased a lovely QH mare called Whiskey and our proximity to the Bunyip State & Kurth Kiln Regional Parks gave us access to some wonderful riding. At first, I just rode with friends locally, but then started to travel back up to places like the High Country around Mansfield which reinvigorated my love for Trail Riding in the High Country.
I discovered the value of ATHRA in 2009 when I was preparing Whiskey for our first Riley’s Ride from Tom Groggin to Corryong. I joined the Warragul Trail Riding Club and a whole field of opportunities opened up. All of a sudden, I had the chance to ride with likeminded individuals all over the country. I rode with a number of clubs through the Central Highlands and joined both Marysville and Yarra Valley as well as my home club Warragul. Warragul also kindly gave me the opportunity to complete my Trail Boss accreditation which has allowed me to lead many rides all over Victoria and NSW.
I also joined Trail Riders of Victoria for around 5 years, which gave me the chance to join weeklong rides back up on the Bogong High Plains, the Howqua Hills and the Snowy Mountains and numerous other places. TRV was also my first stint as the Secretary of an Incorporated Association, a role I have now done for 3 other Associations.
My home club now is Mansfield & District Trail Riders inc which I joined in 2018 and have been the Secretary of since 2019. This Club has given me so many chances to ride where I love and although Whiskey is long retired, I’ve had the privilege of riding a rescue Thoroughbred named Skye for around 8 years and am now riding a S/H x Arab called Cody that we bred from Karen’s horse Sam, and I’ve had the fun of taking him right through his training.
Happily, retired now for 11 years, my horses give me a reason to get up every day. The pleasure and satisfaction I get from riding Cody sometimes with friends locally, often just Cody & I, along with my Mansfield Club rides is just wonderful. Riding a track in the park, a sunny day, light breeze and just Cody’s hoofbeats and the occasional birdsong is my happy place.
