BNT BLOG

Other images of the ATHRA BNT ride Healesville November 1,2&3

What a weekend we had to celebrate the 20 year BNT trail ride held in Healesville on the 1,2 and 3rd of November, and those that showed had a FANTASTIC time.
The ride started with overcast skies and the smell of rain in the air, but this didn’t’ deter over 60 horses and nearly 90 people getting ready at Healesville to ride off up into the mountains and help celebrate the opening of this iconic trail 20 years ago by RM Williams.
With trail bosses John and Alan leading pack horses in the front they set the pace for an experience not to be forgotten by all.
Lunch time found the riders resting on moss covered logs and enjoying the site of mist rising through the trees to reveal the stunning blue skies above. (Patches of sunshine were highly sought after as it was still VERY CHILLY in the mist!)
Further along the trail in bright sunshine, the back-up crews were setting up yards, night lines and campfires and then waited with stubbies in hand for the riders to arrive.
With the riders finally there,
Soon horses were yarded; feed buckets filled and fresh water available everyone settled in for a relaxing and enjoyable evening around the campfire.
Entertainment arrived in the form of The Bush Poets of the Dusty Swag Team,
with campfire flickering, Mopoke owls calling and the Southern cross stars shining overhead, no-one will ever forget the first night of the BNT ride!!
Next morning dawned to calm trees, grey skies and happy smiles.
Riders enjoyed a hearty breakfast then headed down the mountain to camp site no 2, St Ronan’s Farm Narbethong.
St Ronan’s offered open paddock yards for the horses and plenty of space for everyone to set up their camps.
Finally the grey skies opened and rain began to fall. Not to be put off, Rene Diaz, our first country entertainer set up and produced the quality of music and song that one him many prestigious awards at Tamworth and Mildura country music festivals,
Then after speeches and the winner of the raffle announced, the second band, The Cartwheels, set up to finish the evening off.
This great band, (also Tamworth finalists and winners!), played well into the night, seeing the skies clear, the foot stamping, clapping and singing horse riders continued the night away, enjoying the Hugh campfire and great music.
Early hours bought heavy rains, (36 mls!!) and the end of our journey. Riders, seeing the heavens open from 3.30 am onwards decided at 9.30 am to head up to John and Jo’s shed for a cuppa and a slide show of all the wonderful photos that were taken over the weekend by our photographer, Vikki Shedden.
The trail everyone decided would have been to slippery to continue.
Many thanks to all the riders, the back-up crews and our dedicated helpers for making this weekend so memorable.
Happy Trails
Jo-Anne and John.
Coordinators BNT Victoria
Book 12 Maps 1 - 6

Last January 6 mates headed of on a 6 day pack horse trip through the Victorian High Country, seeing places such as Wonongatta Station, Mt Howitt and down the Staircase. A journey to be remembered.

John and I (Jo-Anne) just returning from a 5 day trek on the trail. Started from Narbethong had no problems other than a bit chilly at night! Better sleeping bags next time.