As they rode over the cliff top in the balmy warm summer weather a group of youngsters and their fathers created a new tradition in the Upper Hunter last week.
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It was all in the name of Devil Ark – the shire’s very own Tasmanian devil sanctuary based in the Tomalla tops in the east of the region.
A group of six children aged from 11 to 14 years and four adults mounted their horses – from polo ponies to stock horses and even a brumby – to set off on the 35 kilometre round trip trail ride from Hunters Vale at Ellerston over the tops to Devil Ark at Tomalla.
The trail ride was the idea of friends, Maddy Teague and Sarah Caspers, who wanted to raise funds for the preservation of Devil Ark, and being keen young horsewomen, thought a trail ride was a great idea.
‘And what better way to spend your school holidays’, a thought shared by their friends who joined them.
The group consisted of Maddy and her father Robert Teague, Sarah, Oscar, Mac and Jeremy Metcalf, Joseff Fisher, Lucia and Glen Gilmore and Majella Nolan.
The team set off last Wednesday at 10am and arrived about 3.30pm to set up camp for the night stopover at the ark where they rolled out their swags in the information centre.
During the visit the children had the opportunity to help Devil Ark Tomalla operations manager Dean Reid feed the devils at night and enjoyed a special night tour.
Being eight degrees cooler on the tops, they saddled up after breakfast and made the trek back Thursday morning arriving back to Hunters Vale at about midday.
Mr Teague, who is the general manager at Ellerston, said the ride was excellent and they hope to encourage a lot more people to join them next year and help raise funds.
He said with donations to the Devil Ark website and cash donations, the children raised $3000 this year, however hope to make much more next year as they plan to make it an annual ride.
“A highlight of the ride was stopping for lunch at JD’s Lookout, which is about half way, and one of the highest points overlooking Ellerston.
“JD McLeod was Kerry Packer’s godfather and originally owned Hunters Vale and a lot of other surrounding land, later selling Ellerston to Mr Packer,” he said.
As it was jointly her idea, Maddy said she was really pleased with the ride as she really enjoyed riding over the mountain with everyone and seeing the devils as well.
