Trail Boss: Les Beattie. 6 Days. Fully Catered and supported. Horse ‘n riders welcome. Ride out by 8am, typically in by 4pm. Good solid days riding over high country/farm 4WD tracks and cross country.
$780 riders. $740 backup
OGHT members get a $30 discount please email terry@cavalcade.co.nz for the code.
When do I need to be where?
We meet at Les Beattie’s, Maungatua Run (near Lake Mahinerangi) 3pm on the 23rd February 2020.
How hard will the days be? Between 30-40km per day. This is one of the tougher rides on the Cavalcade. Longer days possible, more testing for horse and rider because of terrain. A good level of fitness and experience required.
What can we expect en route? AMAZING VIEWS, interesting gold mining and historic sites/relics, fantastic food, Very capable and experienced Trail Boss and Wranglers! And a great bunch of other like minded horse enthusiasts! Really bloody hot temperatures! 30 degrees plus. Freezing cold temperatures! -5 degrees maybe colder with the wind chill factor – You can get all sorts of weather in these Central Otago Mountains. At this time of year it is typically warm/hot but southerly storms can blow through (short lived) at any time.
What do I need to bring? A horse! (Unless you are a passenger attached to a wagon),
Waterproof coat/jacket, leggings & hat
Jersey, balaclava, socks, longjohns, gloves
Hot weather gear e.g shorts & T shirt
Gaiters are a good idea to keep rubbish & rain out of boots
Riding boots or boots with a heel suitable for walking
Plate/bowl, cutlery, drinking vessel, tea towel.
Towel & toilet articles
Sleeping bag & mat / stretcher
Sunscreen & insect repellent
Personal items and a roll of loo paper
Small first aid kit for you and your horse
Camera & torch
Don’t forget a wee treat for yourself and your horse
Water bottle
Personal medications
Money for the bar and Host Town
Baby wipes are handy when hand washing difficult
Small ground cover to put down in yards to put your gear on
Where are we going? (TBC)
Monday 24th: We ride over hill country tussock farmland – Beattie’s and their neighbours properties, with fabulous views over the Taieri plains and also Lake Mahinerangi. We return to Beattie’s woolshed for a second night.
Tuesday 25th:. We ride past Lee Steam School (gold coin day), through farmland and down into the Taieri Gorge. We cross the road/rail bridge – the Hindon Viaduct high above the river, then make our way to Lamb Hill Station near Hindon.
Wednesday 26th: From Lamb Hill Station we wind our way down and cross the 3 o’clock stream, ride beside Mt Piri, cross the top of the Manuka Stream and on to Stoneburn Station in the Nenthorn Valley.
Thursday 27th: We cross the Nenthorn Stream, ride up onto Billy’s Ridge and over the top of the Taieri Ridge. Hopefully we will look into “The Crater”. Then we head to “Hartfield” on the edge of the Taieri River.
Friday 28th: This will be a big day’s ride –we cross the Taieri River, ride up and over the Rock and Pillars range, then down towards Waipiata – we will be staying on Beckers Rd.
Saturday 29th. We will have a short ride into the host town, Patearoa
Questions specific to this trail? Ask The Boss – didi@actrix.co.nz
Questions about the Cavalcade in general and entry process, support… Ask the organiser terry@cavalcade.co.nz Or call the office 03 445 0111
