Geeup horsey! That was the shout that could be heard during the OMSS Horse Riding Trip. It was a great day for horse riding: the sun was out, the sky was clear and a cool breeze was in the air.
The adventure began with the bus trip to Mornington Peninsula, during which people got to know each other (or sleep). Upon reaching the Gunnamatta Trail Rides, we dismounted from the bus and mounted on our mode of transportation (the horses) for the rest of the day. We began with a 2 hour ride through a trail, starting with some walking of the horse, followed by some trotting when people became comfortable with riding. Once we reached the magnificent beach (coincidentally deserted), the horses were let loose on a canter (i.e. faster than a trot) where.....at least for some of us, consisted of trying desperately to hang on to the saddle and not being thrown off! Once we got used to the technique, it became much easier (for us!).
When we returned to the riding station, we had a BBQ waiting for us. Following lunch, it was back on the horses and onto the 2 hour bush trail. This time, the pace was quicker with more trotting. Our two riding groups eventually merged into one, and it became a race back to the riding station! After completing a total 4 hours of riding, we dismounted to find discomfort in our gluteal regions from moving up and down on the saddle. A few of us had a noticeably wider gait on the way back to the bus!
Overall, it was a fun and exhilarating adventure!
Definitely one worth experiencing. Special thanks
to the riders of Gunnamatta
Trail Rides for looking after us, and to MUOSS for
sponsoring this event.
