This year’s AGM is coming to Victoria, bringing together the ATHRA Board
and its’ Victorian members for a face-to-face meeting for the first time since
2018.

To make this an event to be remembered, we are combining
the AGM with a Victorian Regional Camp to be jointly hosted by Marysville
Saddle Tramps (MST) and Melbourne Trail Horse Riders Club (MTHRC) at Gallipoli
Park in Marysville.

The camp will be based in Marysville’s popular Gallipoli Park precinct located
in the heart of picturesque Marysville, only 90 minutes northeast of Melbourne.

In addition to the camping and yarding arrangements we will have access to
the Gallipoli Park Community Centre where there are multiple showers, and a
meeting room to hold the AGM and Dinner/Dance.

We’re using this event to raise money again for Dolly’s
Dream, which we did so well last year. Maybe your club would like to use this
event to also raise money for Dolly’s Dream, by perhaps by volunteering to
provide nibbles for Saturday night, running a raffle, running some fundraising
games or by donating to the combined ATHRA fundraising event. Please contact
Sue to discuss your suggestions.

In addition, any profits from the weekend will be donated to Dolly’s Dream.

Program

The Regional Camp is being preceded by an Accreditation Course on Thursday
15^th and Friday 16^th May. This course is separately
organized from the camp, although we expect that the Participants will also
attend the camp and AGM giving us an amazing choice of Ride Officials.

Friday 16^th May

Arrival

For those coming to the camp, the gates open at 1 pm allowing the
accreditation course attendees to complete their activities and the parking
stewards to complete marking out campsites before commencing the direction of
arrivals. The afternoon is spent setting up and exploring the delights of
Marysville. Of course, make sure you call into the Dolly’s Dream trailer.

The fixed yards will already be in use for the accreditation course
attendees and organizers’ horses, so make sure you arrive with portable yards
and follow the directions of the parking stewards.

For any members planning to attend only the AGM, Dinner
and Dance, there will be some room away from the horse arena to camp (unless
you’re attending with a rider), otherwise it would be helpful if you could book
into one of the many accommodation options in the town. Information can be
found at https://www.marysvilletourism.com/.

Requirements

Aside from the Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast, this is a
self-supported ride, so bring along all your food needs for Sat Breakfast,
saddle bag lunches, horse feed, drinking water etc, or use the amazing choices
offered by the town, which can also be found on https://www.marysvilletourism.com/.

Dinner

There isn’t an organized dinner as such on Friday night,
although several of us plan to dine at the Duck Inn Pub. If you would like to
join us, let Lou Renouf know in advance so we can make a booking.

Otherwise, there are at least 3 other restaurants in Marysville or of
course you can self-cater.

Saturday 17th May

Meals

You will be required to be self-sufficient for breakfast and have a saddle
bag lunch and drink for the ride.

Saturday Ride

There will be two rides to choose from on Saturday. Both
will head out into the Marysville State Forest, which will be around 20-25km
and will be of an intermediate standard (i.e. not for beginners). Horses should
be reasonably fit, able to ride in a large group and should either be shod or
wear boots to cope with undulating and at times rocky terrain.

The rides will be led by MST members who know the area.
The first ride will be a walk, trot, and canter (where safe to do so) ride
leaving at 9.00 am.  The second ride will
be a walk and possible trot ride subject to riders wishes, leaving 15 minutes
later at 9.15.

Prior to the ride out there will be a horseless muster,
which all riders must attend at 8.30 am outside the MST
Clubhouse. There, details of the ride will be provided, and riders will be able
to sign the Ride Register. Any member who does not sign the register cannot
attend the ride.

The ride is expected to arrive back at the camp around 2.00 – 2.30 pm,
giving enough time to unsaddle and feed the horses, then head over to the
Community Centre by 3.30pm to join in on an amazing afternoon tea kindly
donated by the Yarra Valley Riding Club. 
The ATHRA AGM will then commence at 4pm.

General
Ride Rules

·       
Horses known to
kick, must wear a red ribbon in their tail.

·       
Suitable footwear
that prevents your foot from slipping forward through the stirrup must be worn.

·       
No dogs allowed on
the ride or at the camp.

·       
Riders must follow
the Trail Boss’s directions as they relate to safety.

·       
No passing the Lead
Rider or Drag without their permission.

·       
Remember the ATHRA
Etiquette guidelines for riding in single file, crossing streams and showing
courtesy to your fellow riders.

AGM at the
Community & Sporting Centre

Details of the AGM Agenda and voting information will be forwarded prior to
the meeting.

We encourage every member at the ride to attend the meeting as this is your
opportunity to both meet your Board members and hear about many of the exciting
initiatives that have taken place over the past 12 months and have your say.

The meeting is likely to take around an hour or so with ample time to chat
with the ATHRA Board members, our CEO and other ATHRA Team members. There will
also be a small selection of ATHRA Merchandise to buy, ATHRA stickers and twine
cutter giveaways.

Dinner &
Band

The 2-course buffet dinner will be held in the Community Center commencing
at 6.30pm. It will be catered by Keppel Café Marysville and will be followed by
entertainment provided by the popular Melbourne-based Edgy Gators. Both the
dinner and dance are BYO drinks.

We are also planning to hold an auction during the evening to raise further
funds for the Foundation. The details of which will be provided closer to the
night.

You are encouraged to ask your friends to join the night and make it a
fantastic event.

Sunday 18th May

Meals

For those who recover in time, Melbourne Trail Horse Riders Club will be
hosting a bacon and egg breakfast before another shorter ride in the morning.
Riders will be required to have a saddle bag morning tea and drink for the
ride.

Sunday Rides

Again, there will be two rides to choose from on Sunday. Both will head out
into the Marysville State Forest, which will be around 10-15km and will be of
an intermediate standard. Horses should be reasonably fit, able to ride in a
large group and should either be shod or wear boots to cope with undulating and
at times rocky terrain.

The rides will be led by MST members who know the area. The first ride will
be a walk, trot and canter (where safe to do so) ride leaving at 10.00 am.  The second ride will be a walk and possible
trot ride subject to riders wishes, leaving 15 minutes later at 10.15.

Prior to the ride out there will be a horseless muster, which all riders must
attend at 9.30 am outside the MST Clubhouse. There, details of the ride
will be provided, and riders will be able to sign the Ride Register. Any member
who does not sign the register cannot attend the ride.

Post Ride

Both rides are expected to arrive back at Gallipoli Park around 1.00pm to
clean up, pack up and then head home.

Please remember, like all
ATHRA events, volunteers are running this weekend. Please make sure
that you remove all hay & manure, bagged and tied with hay band and placed
in the trailers provided. Please make sure you clean your camp, yard area, and
take your own rubbish home. There will not be bins provided for rubbish.

It would also be really appreciated if you could ask any of the organizers
and stewards if there is anything you can do to help them, rather than leaving
them all the pack-up. Things that would help include tidying up the MST
clubroom, packing up fire drums, packing away hoses etc.

Cost

With financial support from ATHRA and all the donations
from clubs like MST, MTHRC and YVRC the cost for this event is very reasonable.

·       
Weekend Riders: $65
per person.

·       
Weekend Non-Riders
or Partners: $55 per person.

               The
weekend includes the AGM afternoon tea, Dinner, Band and Sunday Breakfast

·       
Saturday Night
Dinner and Band: $50 per person. 

Bookings

Bookings can only be made through the Trybooking
system

https://www.trybooking.com/CZXFZ

Enquiries

Please direct any enquiries by text or call on:

Lou Renouf:                       0430 134 935

Sue Baillie:                           0403 121 448

Andrew
Jackson:                       418 332 462