Nanango Forest Ride
This 80klm ride will be used as a pre run for the big events in June, we will be trying some different tracks, although the same forest trails will be used once again, those familiar with the previous rides held here during the 1990's will recognize these same trails.
The club
has made the decision to have the first veterinary check point in the
forest, these veterinary checks are usually held at the main ride base
for ease of organization both for the committee and
riders/strappers. But with the urbanization of the country side,
and small towns like Nanango are no exception, comes the bitumen
or hard gravel roads, where once it was country lanes and soft going
for horses, it is now hard, relentless and boring going which does nothing
to enhance the excellent tracks and trails we do have here.
By having this away check point(situated approx 8klms from the ride base) it means we are able to use most of the forestry tracks available with minimal use of hard roads so the riders and horses may enjoy the scenery and good going, however it also means seriously hard work for the committee, much manpower and organisational skills will be needed, it will all be about planning.
It will also mean some planning on behalf of the rider and his or her team, as strappers will be responsible for packing all necessary equipment normally used at check points and transporting themselves and the gear to this away point without forgetting anything, not an easy task! The OC (organising committee) will be providing sufficient horse water, watch this space for the policy on the use of water for strapping of horses at this and other Nanango rides. There will also be a mobile catering tent, portaloos and retrieval floats to transport horses, not only off track but back to the showground as well, for those unfortunate enough to face elimination.
The OC
will also attempt to provide a vehicle for the purpose of
transporting some gear to the away checkpoint for those who are single
travellers. There is plenty of space available, you may experience minor
inconvenience, however, to be able to utilize our excellent riding trails the effort will be well worth it.
Trucks, goosenecks and floats will not
be permitted in the forestry CP area.
A
note of caution for novice horses, this is a course of moderate
difficulty and will need to be treated with respect. The are no steep
hills, just a lot of them, this is the nature of the
terrain, especially in the forest. If you ride your horse
accordingly you will have a very enjoyable ride