New organising committee hopes to make the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride bigger and better in 2024

The beloved Kilkivan Great Horse Ride has gone from being on its knees to galloping towards a “bigger and better” event for 2024 with the introduction of new volunteers.

Tim Archer is the new president of Kilkivan Great Horse Ride and hopes to save the event in the coming year.

After years of dwindling support and volunteers a new committee is fighting to save the iconic Kilkivan Great Horse Ride.

The event which was established in 1986 will not go ahead this year but new president Tim Archer said the committee was working to bring it back for 2024.

The event involves horses and riders following a 12-32km stretch of the National Trail through Kilkivan.

Usually held over a weekend in July, the ride holds numerous festivities, such as live music, chopping competitions and barrel races, attracting visitors from throughout the country and providing a welcomed boost to the economy.

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But its future has been uncertain with the cancellation of the 2022 event and the subsequent resignation of the committee president and secretary.

The Kilkivan Great Horse Ride committee is working towards bringing the event back in 2024.

At the time meetings dwindled down to two to three people in attendance, barely enough to make decisions or arrangements.

It looked like it could be all over before Mr Archer stepped in as the new president, with a focus on the 2024 event.

“I didn’t want to see it die so we did what we could to see it resurrected,” Mr Archer, who volunteered at the 2021 event, said.

Mr Archer became president in November and Bonnie Farrer as treasurer. Kylie Cosgrove came in as secretary earlier this year.

Last week they had more than five people at the meeting and were able to make some decisions about the event.

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Riders take to the trail in the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride.

“This year we decided just to do fundraisers so we can come back bigger and better in 2024,” he said.

Mr Archer and his wife moved to Kilkivan three years ago where their love of horses compelled them to volunteer at the Great Horse Ride.

“It’s got a great reputation, it brings in a lot of money to such a little town, we have sponsorship and council support,” Mr Archer said.

“We want to have ongoing events in the town and keep the meetings going.”

Mr Archer said meetings were held every second Thursday and to phone him on 0401584683 to get involved.

Originally published as New organising committee hopes to make the Kilkivan Great Horse Ride bigger and better in 2024