OUT & ABOUT
As part of promoting Standardbreds as a reliable riding horse, we like to get our horses out and about as much as possible.
Our main riding pass time is trailriding and we are active members in our local ATHRA club (Australian Trail Horse Riders Assoc) as well as making the most of the trails in our local areas. We have found Standies to make fantastic trail horses as they are generally very level headed and have great trust in their rider.
Recently we have also started to attend some local shows with Standardbred classes to promote the breed on the show circuit. This has been a very steep learning curve for us and our horses but it has been wonderful to see just how good our "bush bashers" can scrub up!
Standardbreds Unharnessed Inc is an ATHRA trailriding club in the Canberra area. See HERE for more information.
Feb 28th 2010 - Standies Unharnessed ride at Mount Ainslie
Starting from the Duntroon horse paddocks and looping around Mount Ainslie. Fantastic day probably made memorable by our lovely lunch spot right behind the Australian War Memorial and then getting caught in a torrential rain storm for about 20min.
Arrived back at the floats drenched but with the sun out it didn't talk long for (most of) us to dry out.
Mount Ainslie trails - that is Black Mountain Tower in the background. Canberra offers horse riders a great chance to ride these bush areas right in the city
Standies at the War Memorial Our boys - Buster and Nick
Lunch in style at the War Memorial Thirsty work!
Views back to Parliment House
October 26th, 2009 - Standardbreds Unharnessed Inc ride at Bredbo
Heading out from the Bredbo Pub, members and visitors of Standies Unharnessed had a great mornings ride along the Murrumbidgee River. There where 10 Standies on the ride - 7 of them Kalimbah Standies!
Morning Tea by the river Craig with Nick and Roger with Sammy
Elyssa and Bosco
August 2nd, 2009 - Riding the River valley ridges, Bredbo
Heading out across the Murrumbidgee River. Phil on Plod, Pieta on Wally, Larissa on Harry & Steve on Big Bad..
Plod and Wally striding out together on the trail. This was Wally's 1st ride outside the arena!>
Craig and Nick overlooking the Murrumbidgee River Valley
June 2009 - ATHRA Trail Boss Accreditation Weekend, Illabo.
These weekends formally recognise the skills of rider and horse when taking on the role of Trail Boss for ATHRA.Gate opening and closing - easy! This is one of the first trail skills I teach my horses as I hate getting on & off at gates!
As well a lot of theory there is also a ridden assesment. Tacking up for the first session. Big Bad is almost 16'3hh now - I think you can understand why I was nervous about the requirement of being able to mount your horse with no aids!
We also had a simulated trailride during which we had to respond to a variety of "emergencies". That is Big Bad and I in the background, rushing to the "injured" rider's aid.
It was a great weekend to meet new people and in particular 2 other Standardbred owners completing the Accrediation on their Standies. They all did their breed proud and impressed everyone with their calmness.
