Riders ready to trot the trails

AT the height of the pandemic, trail rider Diana Tobin felt as if she’d lost a limb.

The vice president of Golden Plains Trail Riders wasn’t able to head out on her horse drawn buggy with other likeminded friends in the club, to enjoy the bush tracks of the centre and north of the Shire.

“It was absolutely horrible. It’s like your left leg’s been cut off when you’re used to going riding and all of a sudden, you’re not allowed to,” Ms Tobin said.

But now COVID-19 restrictions have eased in the region, GPTR are back up and riding in small groups, and planning next month’s major event on the calendar, which will raise funds for a cause close to the group.

Over Friday, 27 and Saturday, 28 November the GPTR will hold their second MND Ride, with a COVID compliant, capped number of participants.

“Our president, Sam Wilson has a friend with motor neurone disease, so she decided to raise funds to try and help researchers find out a bit more about it,” Ms Tobin said.

“The ride will be from Scarsdale through the back of the pine forest. It was a really good event last year, so we decided to make it an annual thing.”

The club facilitates weekend and day rides for families and friends who want to kick back and relax with likeminded people and their horses.

“We’re not a fast club, but we’re friendly people out for a fun, casual ride, and a meet and greet. We’re open to everyone, there’s no age limit, and horse and buggies are welcome.

“There’s so much bush out here. People, or partners, that want to come along and go for bushwalks while we go out are welcome, too,” Ms Tobin said.

Visit facebook.com/groups/189506348816233 to get in touch and book your place in the limited MND Ride as soon as possible.