Horse trek

Ruapehu Bulletin, 7 September 1990, Page 13

Horse trek

After many days of horrible weather, Sunday August 19 dawned fine and encouraged 10 members and friends of the Waimarino Adult Riding Club to assemble at the Saddle Club grounds at Waiouru. From here Jfenny and Louise guided the group on a four and a half hour trip over army land. Mainly sand roads we travelled during the morning to break the riders in gently and allowing some members to get the feel of borrowed horses. The group passed their first two herds of six wild horses. They were close enough to see big white blazes on some faces and a couple of yearlings. "During our stop for lunch in a sheltered hollow there was a heated discussion as to whether we were looking at a grey horse or an old shed in the distance," said rider Evelyn Cooper. "Finally the 'shed' moved and joined other members *of that herd!" One rider, whose horse was trying to pinch her lunch instead of eating tussock, was heard to

remark - 'Move over and let me sit on something that is not moving for a change'! Lunch over, the group moved off across country and some skills of riding up and down hill were tested. One young filly got a little agitated as her 'stable mate' drifted back out of her vision and her neighs produced a response from a dark stallion across the valley. To the relief of some he decided his own four mares were more important than the strange group with riders passing through his territory. This was the groups last close up view of the wild horses the next and last sighting being some way away. However five herds was deemed a real bonus for a glorious ride. The last part of the trip was over very undulating country with only a brief spell on a road causing another comment "Don't we ever'get to flat country again. There were some very weary people (and horses?) that night and I for one had one of my best trekking days ever. Thank you to all who participated". The next social evening is on Monday September 10 at Graeme and Debbie Hill's Waiouru and any potential members are welcome to attend - ring Eileen Clarke 58893 for further mformation. Evelyn Cooper