Julie Broome and her daughters Georgie (aged 14 - seen
above riding the grey) and Bronte (aged 11, standing next to the bay) have just
set off to ride the Tasmanian Trail.
Their horses are (left to right) Fury, a 15-year-old
thoroughbred, Charlie, an Arab also aged 15, Jack, a stock-horse aged 19, and
Jimmy Bob, a Quarter Horse aged 15.
We wish them Godspeed and hope they have an exciting and
safe journey.
February 2006
| Hello there, We made It!!
We are now home and all the horses and kids and mum are very well!! I feel
very humbled when I read some of the accounts on your site. The roads are
indeed arduous enough when travelled with horses and kids but your
members who travel through apparently hostile countries (only due to lack
of familiarity of rules and regulations with horses) is amazing compared
to the great treatment we receive in Australia. |
 |
Our adventure was fantastic, the girls learnt about endurance and
perseverance, there was a lot of frustration due to the length of the days, so
we all learnt patience. The horses were fantastic. Our 3 riding horses who we
have had for a long time just kept plugging on; they never had a wobbly, never
said "No we won't be saddled today" or "we won't go up another hill." The pack
horse Charlie who was new to us at the beginning proved to be the most
beautiful horse.. he just did anything asked of him. It was a fabulous feeling
... feeling safe and comfortable that the horses we had would just do it!. The
kids at times felt frustrated because we were slower than what they were used
to but they endured with a smile and a giggle sometimes! when Georgie said
after the 4th day ..."God Mum how on earth did they discover Australia like
this?" Of course I said "Very slowly!" Comments through the ride were of
great value: it meant the girls were thinking of how things happened and that
all things don't come from a supermarket! Travelling through Tasmania was
spectacular. The guide book we were supposed to follow was at times not
correct and certain campsites were unavailable so we relied on local people
who were into trekking and horses to find campsites - all fabulous. Everything
went very smoothly until 3 days before the end my horse Jack stood on a glass
bottle on the side of the road and ruptured an artery on top of his pastern.
This needed a few days to rest so with great local support we paddocked the
horses until all was well and then just continued on.
Our story is one of quietly managing the day's
routines and horses and kids and talking to local people and trying to network
to make things work - otherwise it wouldn't happen. The great thing about
travelling with horses ..is that people actually want to help (at least
in Australia!!) Cheers and thanks for your contact and help.
Cheers Julie
Congratulations on a safe and happy end to your
adventure!
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