The Kilkivan Great Horse Ride has its roots in the trail riding experience.
Now, almost 40 years since the first ride, it is set for a three-day event in April filled with horse rides and entertainment for all ages.
Fabian Webb of the Webb Brothers fame started the horse ride in the mid 1980s as a tribute to the history of the area.
Over time, there have been more than 1100 riders filling the main street of the town for the grand parade.
Organisers said that enthusiasm for the 2024 event was running as high as the creeks after the summer rains.
The horse ride, to be be held April 5-7 at Kilkivan Showgrounds, has seen a range of ridden events, demonstrations and competitions added through the years.
Traditionally held on the first weekend in April, it was interrupted by the Covid pandemic, drought, floods and bushfire.
The 2024 Kilkivan Great Horse Ride will see the majority of the trail rides take place on Saturday, 6 April, while for those arriving the day before there is a short trail to ease into the weekend. This ride will start at 2pm Friday, 5 April.
There are three rides of varying distances on the Saturday, and it is recommended horses are shod or booted.
Throughout the weekend there will be novelty horse events, an all breeds horse show and carriage trail.
The program will include bush poetry reading, youth talent search, boot-toss competition, working dog demonstrations, mechanical bull rides and a camp oven cook-off.
Riders from the Fifth Light Horse Regiment, Gympie Troop, will lead the street parade on Saturday afternoon.
The Tennessee Lights Band will perform at the showgrounds on Saturday night.
Volunteers are being invited for a variety of tasks throughout the weekend.
This can be from as little as 30 minutes as every little bit helps. All volunteers receive free entry to the event.
Tickets are now on sale. There is an early bird discount of 10 percent before Thursday, 29 February.
Further information and tickets: www.kilkivangreathorseride.com.au/
