NINE horses, four children under the age of six and a round trip of 1160 kilometres – it was an exhausting weekend for members of the Springsure Pony Club but one they would do again in a flash to support drought-stricken western Queensland.
Along with another 120 people from around the central west and central highlands, the group donned blue tutus and fairy wings to join in the Ride for Relief from Ilfracombe to Longreach, designed to help raise awareness of the ongoing drought in the region.
Suncare drought relief program coordinator Ingrid Miller organised the weekend event, which included a sell-out dinner at the Cattleman’s Bar and Grill and a Sunday gymkhana, and said it had been very worthwhile to see everyone band together.
“I heard from someone in Melbourne that they’d seen us on TV over the weekend,” she said.
“Even five minutes of exposure helps the city understand what we’re going through.
“The colour blue that everyone was wearing really stood out against the black grass stalks too.”
Blue is the international colour associated with mental health, which Ingrid was keen to bring to the fore.
Kate Rose (right) dressed as a Smurf and dyed her horse blue for the 27 kilometre ride. Her enthusiasm won her the best dressed rider prize. Click on the image to view a gallery from the event.
Returned Afghanistan veteran and post traumatic stress disorder survivor Tyson Murray was the guest speaker at the Saturday evening dinner.
“His message was that there’s always someone out there who can help, a really good message for anyone in the crowd who knows things are not right at the moment,” said Ingrid.
“I think there are a lot of undiagnosed issues out there so hopefully it ticked a few boxes.”
One of those offering the hand of fellowship was Springsure’s Rachel Pearce and fellow pony club members.
“We were very lucky to get rain and have grass grow at the start of the year – we had 10 inches [254mm] – but we feel so helpless,” she said.
“It was just heartbreaking to drive west. We’d seen photos but we expected a few paddocks to be OK. To see it so totally bare was quite emotional.”
Rachel said it was heartening to see spirits high in the west and she felt the ride had been a good way for locals to take some time out.
Her pony club purchased two bales of hay at the Saturday evening auction and donated them to Longreach Pony Club members, who are all feeding their horses at present.
Raising money wasn’t the main aim of the weekend but any profits will go towards the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.
Ingrid said she hoped she could organise a green Ride to Recovery next year, surrounded by waving green grass.
“Rain is going to help but everything will need time to recover. I think it will be good to keep reminding the public that rain won’t solve everything.”
