Erle Levey
Kilkivan’s Great Horse Ride covers a lot of ground. It also highlights the importance of such events to a community’s sense of history and character.
A wet weekend failed to dampen the enthusiasm and resilience of horse riders as they celebrated this significant event on the Australian equestrian calendar.
This Kilkivan Great Horse Ride marked 36 years since the opening of the Bicentennial National Trail in 1988 – the longest marked route of its kind in the world.
It runs more than 5000km from Cooktown in Far North Queensland to Healesville, to the east of Melbourne in Victoria.
Kilkivan was the site of the Queensland section opening by then Queensland Premier Mike Ahern.
Among those to take part in that initial ride was former stockman and businessman, the late RM Williams.
The 107-kilometre section through what was the old Kilkivan Shire mainly along the forest ridges, and follows many of the roads and tracks taken by the early pioneers.
Through the years, horse riders and event staff have been committed to continuing this historical event for the town.
It marks a significant effort to retain the sense of importance the trail has to the community, which struggles since the shire was amalgamated with Gympie.
The ceremonial ride through the town along Bligh Street by more than 200 riders on Saturday afternoon headlined a weekend of events built around the significance of horses and bushcraft to the area.
Ride secretary Abi Horn was delighted with the overall support for the event.
“We had a really good turn-out and very positive feedback from everyone,’’ she said.
“Gympie Council provided financial sponsorship but there were so many individuals and businesses who gave their support.
“We are building momentum again after the challenges of equine influenza, Hendra virus and the Covid pandemic.
“There are some new committee members on board to keep the tradition going.
“It’s really important to the people of Kilkivan.
“There was a morning tea on Saturday for founders of the Great Horse Ride.
“We had a crazy amount of support for the weekend from volunteers.
“As with every event, there is always a need for volunteers and support.
“There were some really hard workers … it wouldn’t be possible without them.
“We are hoping to get the markets in the main street up and going again next year.
“Rain, hail or shine, we decided this year’s event had to go ahead. The people who pushed through it had a lot of fun.
“Funds from the event go into next year which we hope will be even better.’’
There were 115 participants in the Friday trail ride, three more trail rides on Saturday and the endurance ride on Sunday morning.
On the Saturday afternoon all riders met up and were marshalled for the street parade.
As the time of the ride approached, locals and visitors started to gather on the street, bringing their chairs, picnics, families and friends roadside to watch.
It was evident when talking to the locals that have needed to tough it out in the country, in terms of cost-of-living increases, drought, floods and the drift of people and industry to larger regional centres.
What was on show was the level of community and collaboration of these local residents.
One man summed up the significance of the event as we stood watching: “If there were more events like this, we wouldn’t have wars in the world.’’
On-lookers waved to participants who responded with shouts and broad smiles on their faces.
They were very proud to be part of something that would go down in this town’s history and bring the people together.
The Kilkivan Showgrounds and Equestrian Centre was the hub of events for the weekend, which included trail rides, pony club and riding skill events, working dog displays, bush poetry, a talent quest, bucking bull competition and live music.
Riders came from throughout South East Queensland, the Burnett and Wide Bay regions as well as Gympie and the Sunshine Coast for the endurance horse demonstration rides on Sunday.
There was a 40 km ride under Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA) standards, with 22 participants who enthusiastically showed up despite the damp conditions overnight overnight.
The track was reported as good and there was a beginner rider’s course of a 20 km event.
The events saw QERA time-keeping, and veterinary checks on the fitness and welfare of the horses.
What the weekend underlined was the need for all three levels of government to continue backing communities such as Kilkivan with health, education and industry, but to also recognise the importance of events such as the horse ride on a national level.
Investment needs to be made in the historical and tourist attractions such as the national trail, but also cultural events such as writing and art festivals or the rail trails that are proving drawcards in other regions.
