New Trail-ride fundraiser gets thumbs up

An inaugural high-country trail-ride raising funds for Montessori Children’s House Wanaka and Wanaka Primary School has been a big success with over 550 riders taking part despite rain showers.

Trail-bike enthusiasts from as far away as Bluff and Christchurch converged on Lindis Peaks, Deep Creek and Long Gully Stations near Tarras on ANZAC Sunday (26 April) to explore 66km of private alpine farm trails rarely accessible to the public. The event raised over $20,000 for the two schools through entry fees, food and raffles organisers said.

“There’s been an incredible volunteer effort from a lot of people and it’s been a great family day out. It’s certainly been a big drawcard to have the opportunity to ride through three high-country stations,” Andrew Howard, Board of Trustee chairman of Wanaka Primary School and Montessori Children’s House Wanaka, said.
“We owe a massive thanks to the landowners Denis and Sharlene Nyhon and Barbara Annan.”

The extensive high-country terrain, organisation and helpful attitude of the volunteers at the new event had resulted in a very positive response from the riders, with many already planning to return the following year, he said.

Traversing the three stations riders reached altitudes of 1200metres with the trails extending almost to the Lindis Pass.
The idea for the Wanaka Trail Ride was originally put forward by Wanaka’s Carrie Wallis who had been responsible for much of the organisation.
The strong community response supporting the event had been crucial to its success, she said.

Extensive scouting of the area by Track Manager Grant Cagney and team prior to the ride ensured there was a good choice of family, intermediate and expert loops with specialist enduro and hillclimb sections. A pee wee track was also a popular feature with riders as young as three years-old enthusiastically scooting around under adult supervision.

Heavy rain in Wanaka early in the day caused some concern for riders and organisers, but effective communication through the Wanaka Trail Ride Facebook page posted by the onsite volunteers and among the network of riders ensured a good turnout as track conditions remained very rideable, Andrew said.

All proceeds from the event will be split equally between the Montessori Children’s House Wanaka pre-school and Wanaka Primary School. Parents from both schools formed a partnership last year to pool resources and ensure all money raised from the Wanaka Trail Ride would directly benefit local school children.

Over 100 volunteer positions were filled for the trail-ride which was also assisted by generous sponsorship from Stonewood Homes and PGG Wrightson. A large number of local businesses were also very supportive of the event, Andrew said.

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