Hope Reins founder Kylie Read to ride from Gympie to Longreach

Gympie woman Kylie Read will leave Gympie on horseback for Longreach next month, gathering stories and raising money along the way.

Kylie Read is one of the founders of Hope Reins, a Gympie not-for-profit organisation operating for more than a decade.

The founder of not-for-profit Gympie organisation Hope Reins will spend nine weeks on horseback in order to raise funds for two community organisations.

Kylie Read sets off from Gympie on April 2, 2023, on the biggest horse ride of her life: the 1200km to Longreach, a journey that takes about 13 hours by car.

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She will stop at Nanango, Condamine, Mitchell and Isisford and in each town there will be a small event to mark her journey.

Kylie Read is one of the founders of Hope Reins, a Gympie not-for-profit organisation operating for more than a decade that rescues horses and helps troubled youth.

“My biggest struggle will be being on a horse nearly every day for nine weeks, riding through some beautiful country, but riding nevertheless,” Ms Read said said a statement.

“It does have a flavour of our pioneering past and is a great adventure.

“I am also very aware of the amazing journey it will be and how privileged I will be to meet with people on the way.”

Kylie Read will stop at Nanango, Condamine, Mitchell and Isisford during her journey from Gympie to Longreach.

The Ride for Hope, previously postponed by Covid restrictions, will aim to connect communities, hear stories of their challenges and how they overcame their struggles.

“We want to hear from people and capture their stories in order to inspire others with how overcoming our struggles brings hope,” Ms Read said.

“We want to strengthen not only the lives of the person or community who tells the story but all those who hear it too.”

Kylie Read will ride her horse from Gympie to Longreach, a 1200km journey.

The ride will also raise money for Hope Reins, an organisation that receives no government support to deliver programs to connect people and horses, and Outback Futures, which provides free Allied Health services for Central West communities.

“Mental Health and wellbeing is an important part of this ride,” the press release stated.

“It is also supporting and raising awareness for a suicide prevention network in the Condamine area, being part of Hope in Action community celebration in Longreach, hearing stories of hope around the campfire in Nanango and a similar idea in Mitchell at the Great Artesian Spa.

“The Ride is joining with suicide prevention networks in Gympie, Nanango and Longreach to organise these events as well as Wesley LifeForce for the Condamine event.”

Ms Read will be supported by a road crew along the way.