Taihape trek cold but worthwhile

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 556, 4 October 1994, Page 6

Taihape trek cold but worthwhile

Ohakune rider Evelyn . Cooper writes about the ride across the Gentle Annie to celebrate T aihape ' s centennial. This is one rider' s view of the ride - on looking back it was cold. We had gale force winds, rain, snow and occasionally a little sun and fine weather. The best views were down into the Rangitikei River as many others were obscured by rain and snow. It was not until I reached home that I realised how cold it had been and I was able to shed the thermal underwear and one coat - 1 had worn two most of the time! There was one good side to the poor weather, the horses never got thirsty and only drank minimal

amounts until reaching Taihape which was the only reasonably warm and dry stretch. Had it been hot we could have been very short of water with only three major rivers to cross and little other water en-route. However it was a great and enjoyable experience which I would have hated to miss. The total distance ridden was approximately 90km, half being gravel and half tar-sealed road. Eighty-nine riders took part with eight horses for the stagecoach (used in rotation, fi ve horses on the hills and three on the flat) and two gigs and horses which, with supporters, made 105 people to feed each night. Rosaleen Morris was chief cook and did a grand

job with a barbecue on Wednesday night and a pork roast on Thursday with cooked breakfasts, good lunches and a hot snack every afternoon once the horses were settled. Friday

night was a special treat, we were welcomed onto the Moawhango Marae and with great hospitality we were given accommodation, a hangi-dinner and a huge breakfast next morning. A few riders camped at W ai whare on T uesday night having ridden over the 'Old Coach Road', from near Tarradale, for one-and-a-half days to join the main trek. We left the Waiwhare sports ground, 45km west of Hastings, at 12.30pm in a howling gale which changed to drizzle and then persistent rain which made everyone wet to some degree. My feet suffered the most as my Driza-bone kept the rest of me dry. Many were caught that afternoon with the slow onset of rain and there were a few cases of

mild hypothermia. After three and a half hours we arrived at Kuripapango on the Ngaruroro River at the base of the Gentle Annie. Kuripapango once boasted two hotels prior to 1901 when the last one was destroyed by fire, but now it is base for the Department of Conservation in the Kaweka Forest Park. There was good grazing for the horses but the sleeping marquee had been ripped in half by the gale and the mattresses soaked and scattered. Everyone eventually found a bed or floor space in trucks or buildings, got some good fires going, warmed up the really cold people and dried some clothing. The scheduled 8.30am start saw some people leave as early as 7am so it was a very staggered start the next Tuni to Page 15

Taihape trek cold but worthwhile

FROMPAGE6 morning. Most passed the stage coach on the Gentle Annie and did not see it again that day. The views down into the Ngaruroro River were great but once on the top of Gentle Annie the weather changed again with snow on the roadside. We descended into the Tamarau River, which many forded, and had an early lunch of hot soup and after climbing again rode over undulating country past huge sheep and cattle stations. Snow lay all around us and we rode in winddriven snow varying from 'sago' to large flakes, sometimes behind us and at others driving into our faces. This was a long day and many walked down into the Rangatikei river to restore circulation and rest the horses. The views were great as the weather had cleared but it was a lull before the storm! After

six and three quarter hours' riding we were comfortably 'home' at Blackhills and Springvale stations shearers' quarters before the snow really set in and by dinner time there was nearly an inch of snow everywhere. Day three was shorter and a drop in altitude saw less snow lying around but it was still two-coat weather. The youngest rider, Emma, was only seven years old, but I cannot confirm who was the oldest although I know one lady was 65. Equine interests amongst the group covered a wide range from, stockmen, endurance riders, trekkers, show jumpers, dressage exponents, pony clubbers to hunting enthusiasts and drivers of the stage coach and gigs. Horses also covered a wide range from small ponies, to farm hacks, thoroughbreds, many crossbreds to pure Clydesdales.

At Moawhang9 on Saturday morning we were joined by many other riders and more gigs and Sarah Hulena did a good job keeping us more together so we could all arrive at the Taihape saleyards at much the same time. Again hot food was available and by 1.15pm we started for the procession through town. Unfortunately we missed the main procession but could not be in two places at the same time. I do not know what the mass of horses looked like from ground level but it was quite exhilarating looking around from on horseback as half of Taihape appeared to be covered in a sea of horses and riders many of whom were now in period costume. The mail was delivered to the Post Office, we had a final ride around and it was all over. I cannot thank everyone individually for all their

help but must mention a few. Firstly Gprdy and Sarah Hulena who were the organisers who did a mammoth task very well indeed. Then there was Rosaleen, the chief cook, Jim of the black Chevrolet, Hamish for transporting luggage, Paul, Sarah' s father who was always in the right place at the right time to give a hand, and numerous others who boiled the billy, sizzled the sausages, carted and fed-out hay , took photos and videos and handed out snacks along the way. Also a very big thankyou to all the landowners who allowed us to use their shearers 'quarters and provided grazing overnight for nearly 100 horses. The Holmes Show, on Monday 1 2 September 1 994 covered the stagecoach well but did not mention the organisers or the 89 riders, who I understand actually paid for the stagecoach to come along.