Tamworth Accreditation August 2010

Date Posted: 12/07/2010

Canberra Accreditation October 2010

Date Posted: 12/07/2010

Jerrara NSW Accreditation Rescheduled

Date Posted: 3/07/2010

EADRA Meeting

Date Posted: 15/06/2010

ATHRA representative attends EADRA Meeting in Sydney (Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement).  Federal and State government ministers have set a deadline of 1st December to have a signed EADRA in place in order for the government to respond to any future emergency disease outbreak.

ATHRA, represented by De'hanne Keir (National Treasurer), attended the all day meeting.  Following the canvassing of opinion from all ATHRA State Executives, the organisation supported the levy applicable to "Hard Feed" should another disease outbreak occur.  Click here for meeting notes taken by De'hanne.  There is a still a fair bit of additional detail needed to finalise this agreement and ATHRA will post this information as it comes to hand.

2010 Code of Conduct

Date Posted: 3/06/2010

The 2010 Code of Conduct has now been uploaded to the website. 

Roma Accreditation Weekend

Date Posted: 30/05/2010

A very successful accreditation weekend was held during the weekend 22 and 23 May at the Wallumbilla Showgrounds.  The weekend was faciliated by National Trainer Pam Lamshed.  The Cobb & Co Country Club is one of Queenslands newest clubs and it was great to see their members participating throughout the weekend training session with such great keeness and desire to ensure that their rides are managed in accordance with the ATHRA Code of Conduct.  Congratulations to this new club for their achievments to date.  Photos can be seen on under the Queensland photos section. 

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Ride 1-9 May 2010

Date Posted: 12/05/2010

62 Riders attended the successful inaugrual Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Ride from Fernvale to Blackbutt.  Riders commented favorably throughout the event on the local hospitality that was consistently demonstrated by the various local community groups which catered along the trail in each town and out on the trail at appointed lunch spots along the rail trail.

Riders were spoilt with the beautiful riding weather that the SEQ region is reknown for during this time of year and of course enjoyed the fantasic scenery and open country riding.  "The atmosphere and the comraderie" demonstrated by the riders was magificent and many new friendships have been formed over the 9 day event.  For more photos - go to the Qld photo section.

An Auction raised over $2000.00 for a local community group which will fund an air conditioner to be purchased and installed in the Moore Soldiers Community Hall kitchen.  This will certainly be appreciated by the hall volunteers  Thanks to all of our generous supporters during the auction.  

Successful North Qld Annual Charity Ride - 9 May 2010

Date Posted: 12/05/2010

In conjunction with the local Rotary Club, the Mackay and District based ATHRA Club, Breakaway Horse Riders conducted their annual charity ride raising money for cancer reseach. This is the ninth year for the charity ride and the growing support was evident with the largest number of riders participating.

103 riders departed the historic Melba House, located in the quiet sugar town of Marian on the banks of the Pioneer River traveling west. Smoko was greatfully supplied by the Rotary club and a sign of the quality was indicated by a remark from one of the youth riders when questioning a fellow rider about how many of one particular baked delights they managed to have with the response “didn’t you have one?  I had four".

Along the trail, the local Aged Care Facility had some residents out in the warm sunshine to cheer and encourage the riders.  Due to some of the residents not enjoying the best of sight, a small contingent of riders rode into the grounds to allow the residents closer interaction.  

The riders were warmly received at the competition of the ride by attendees at the Dows Creek Bush Carnival. This carnival caters for most, with a wide variety of attractions such as bush poetry, country music, wood chopping and a display of engines that have been painstakingly restored to their former glory.

A special thanks to the members who assisted in the hosting this ride.

Cavallo Partnership

Date Posted: 1/04/2010

For those of you who missed the March discount (ATHRA Special rate $139.95 + postage) there are still great discounts offered to ATHRA Members.  For more information contact ysabelledean@bigpond.com.  Products are shipped within 1-2 days (I know my new boots were and aren't they great! - Debby Avis)  We thank Cavallo for their wonderful sponsorship by way of giveaways - including their fabulous boots and saddle cloths - we saw quite a few very happy members leave the AGMS with their hands full.  Lets now return that generosity!

ATHRA Member Riding for A Cause - Maura Luxford

Date Posted: 18/03/2010

ATHRA member Maura Luxford of the Macleay Trail Riders will begin an epic trek riding from Willawarrin (west of Kempsey) all the way through to Melbourne.  This trek will start on the 18th of April and conclude 91 days later on the 4th July.  The trek is aiming to raise much needed funds for the "RIDE4ACURE - Hannah Rose Melanoma Research Fund".

Maura will predominantly travel along the TSR's (Travelling Stock Routes). These are known quite well to Maura given she has taken large mobs (1000+) along these routes previously.  Maura would welcome other ATHRA members to accompany her along any part of her route.   If you can assist Maura by spreading the word, assisting in camping sites, providing accommodation please contact Maura on 0427 671 229 or email maura@ride4acure.com.au.

ATHRA supports Maura in this endeavour and wishes her a safe and successful ride. Further information on this ride can be found here.

Welcome to Queenslands New Club

Date Posted: 16/02/2010

Welcome to the new Kilkivan-Woolooga Trail Riders Club.  This new club will be holding their inaugral ride on Saturday 20 February from the Kilkivan showgrounds and invites any other Qld clubs and members to attend.  Check the ride calendar for ride time and contact details.

NSW Sport and Recreation Facility Grants - $500 to $200,000

Date Posted: 28/01/2010

Local incorporated, not-for-profit sporting clubs, a category under which ATHRA clubs fall, are invited to apply for funding from $500 to $200,000 for new or portable facilities and infrastructure (including capital equipment).  This initiative is to promote sport, recreational or structured physical activities in a sustainable manner and to improve acccess and safety at sporting and recreational facilities and events.  For more information go to www.srgrants@communities.nsw.gov.au or ring 131302. 

Qld September Camp 2009

Date Posted: 25/10/2009

Eskdale Station provided a fantastic venue for the annual September Camp.  This camp has been hailed as one of Qld's finest.  Special thanks to the Brisbane Valley Trail Riding Club who had put in an enormous effort by spending months of planning and prerides to find us all interesting rides that had us traversing the BNT, neighbouring properties, and for the adventurous amongst us - an overnight pack ride.  For more photos go to the Qld photo directory.  Also keep an eye out for the December issue of The Horse Downunder Magazine for the full story.

Affinity offers ATHRA Members 24x7 Extension Policy

Date Posted: 17/09/2009

Affinity is pleased to announce a new insurance product available only to ATHRA members.  After months of negotiation, ATHRA members can now obtain 24x7, 365 days a year extension of the ATHRA policy including public liability, vet fees, float and tack - at the best possible price.   Click here for more information and click here to calculate an approximate premium.

New RailTrail in Queensland!

Date Posted: 13/08/2009

Congratulations to the State of Queensland on another coup!  Introducing the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.  Complete with a number of road corridors that can provide a great loop ride, more new sections are being opened.  By the end of the year, 99km will be open, 66 of which will be from Fernvale to Toogoolawah.  Click here to visit the website.

Accreditation Feedback

Date Posted: 22/07/2009

The Accreditation weekends are well under way for 2009.  Recently another successful weekend was held at Illabo and the feedback was so posiitive, we wanted to share it with all ATHRA members.  Click here for a comprehensive feedback letter received from a Monaro Horse Trekkers club member.

Further feedback was received from the Macleay Trail Riders stating:  "It was great to get together with people of the Macleay Trail riders and the Hastings Trail Riding Club that share the same love of trail riding and horses.  Tales of the Trail, reminiscents and gems of wisdom that interjected the weekend gave an insight into the different experiences that we have had in this past time and dealing with horses....  The opportunity to communicate and reflect on events of the past has been valuable to all our members.  Dealing with emergencies and unforeseen hazards is always a risk and I think this weekend has brought home the message.  There is nothing better than a day in the bush on the trail to clear the head and sharing this experience with friends is a bonus.  You have given our members a guide to make it easier for everyone to understand how to run and participate on an ATHRA Trail Ride."

On behalf of the National Executive and Trainers, we thank you for this positive feedback. 

State Environment and Access Coordinators sought

Date Posted: 20/05/2009

Interested in taking a leading role in environment and access ("E&A") issues?  After the appointment of Victoria's Andrew Inglis as National Environment and Access Coordinator, ATHRA is now seeking State based coordinators.  Position description includes encouraging club involvement in resolution of E&A issues; being aware of management plan review calendars; notifying clubs of POMs in their area; assisting clubs with submissions; developing alliances and supervise State Tracks and Access webpage.  Click here for position description.  For more information, contact Andrew Inglis at trailscoord@athra.com.au .

Welcome to Cavallo and Dixon Smith

Date Posted: 23/04/2009

We welcome our new partners to the ATHRA family.  Cavallo hoof boots are an economical alternative to metal shoes shaped to fit the natural hoof and are simple to size and fit.  Cavallo have kindly donated 6 PAIRS of boots to ATHRA.  Welcome also to Dixon Smith Endurance Tack.  Dixon Smith has a wide range of horse care products including the famous Stowaway Saddlepacks which they have kindly donated a number to ATHRA!  Dixon Smith are available to set up stalls at major events.  WELCOME Cavallo and Dixon Smith!

WINNERS OF CAVALLO BOOTS AND DIXON SMITH STOWAWAY SADDLEPACKS

Date Posted: 23/04/2009

Congratulations to the April and May's winners of the kindly donated Cavallo boots:  Raylene Neville from the Macarthur Club in NSW and Lesley Salter (no, not Alan's wife) from the Warragul (VIC) club.  Winners of the beautiful Dixon Smith Stowaway Saddlepacks include Leanne Attard from Leisure Coast (NSW); Mark Humphrey from the Ipswhich club (QLD); Amanda Christie from Cowra (NSW) and Donna Pajalic from the Victorian based Great Divide club.  Congratulations to all our winners and keep an eye out here for further winners!

Why Accreditation?

Date Posted: 12/04/2009

In a nutshell, money!  Yes, ATHRA has saved nearly $80,000 in premiums over the last 3 years due to the accreditation program and your club reports - ensuring ATHRA's membership cost remains the lowest in the industry.  Having said that, with accreditation comes a better awareness of SAFETY on club rides.  If you haven't attended one of these great weekends ("horse OH&S"), contact your Branch Secretary to find out when one is being held near you or host one.

WANT TO PDF YOUR NEWSLETTERS?

Date Posted: 7/04/2009

Many clubs are emailing out their newsletters to members and some members who are still on dial up or otherwise, are finding these slow to open.  To get around this why not pdf your newsletters.  There is a free tool called CutePDF.  This is freeware and works perfectly!  Good luck!

Successful Queensland Education Weekend

Date Posted: 28/01/2009

The Australian Day long weekend Education Day was held in the beautiful Brisbane Valley near Esk.(Photos are available on the Qld phot gallery site) 

Brisbane Valley Club member and Australian Natural Horsemanship Educator Ken Faulkner donated his time to provide ATHRA Queensland members with a fantastic full day of horse and rider skills which then culminated in a trail ride on Australia Day to take in the extensive Brisbane Valley views.

The weekend was extremely popular with the particpants and the 65 members that attended represented nine Queensland clubs. 

ATHRA Queensland provided lunch on the Education Day and a special Australia Day breakfast.  Some of the riders took the opportunity to dress up in their finest patriotic outfits for breakfast and some even had the flags flying at their campsite.

It was a fantastic result to see so many peope participating and the comradarie amongst attending members, which all helped form the basis of a great weekend. 

The Queensland Executive thanks all the members who attended the weekend and also who jumped in to help whenever necessary to make the weekend as successful as it was.

A huge thank you to Ken and Kathy Faulkner and the Brisbane Valley Club for hosting the weekend camp.

ATHRA's guide to combat PHYTOPHTHORA

Date Posted: 22/10/2008

Phytophthora are soil and waterborne fungi that kills a wide variety of native plant species, fruits, vegetables, nuts and ornamental plants.  Click here for ATHRA's guide to combat PHYTOPHTHORA.

Insurance discounts to ATHRA members!

Date Posted: 20/10/2008

Affinity Insurance Brokers, in conjunction with ATHRA, are pleased to announce an exclusive offering available specifically for club members.  Affinity offers a range of general insurance products and as a result of the association between ATHRA and Affinity, ATHRA Club members will receive a discount on all their Affinity insurance policies.  Click here for more information.

Need Help with your Club's Bookkeeping?

Date Posted: 19/10/2008

Visit the Information and Forms page for Claire Bourke's (National Treasurer) Club Excel spreadsheet.  Its simple, just click on the link and save as your own spreadsheet!  Edit the fields to suit your Club's needs!  Thanks Claire!

Logging in to Update your Club's Info but Can't?

Date Posted: 26/02/2007

You are probably trying to do it via the athra.com.au website.  TO UPDATE YOUR CLUB INFO GO TO http://athra.com.au/admin !  If you don't know your Club's login details, please check with your Branch Secretary or Debby Avis.   Its best to have one Club Member organised to do your updates.  Be sure to include your Ride Calendar!