October 3, 2017
The 2017 Kilkivan Great Horse Ride went off as planned at the weekend, although the heat in the lead-up cut back the number of riders substantially.
Ironically, the 2017 ride had been delayed from April because of drought in the area but, if anything, the situation was worse at the weekend with a total fire ban in the area.
However, riders on the five trails – the four one-day trails and one two-day trail – still converged in Kilkivan on Saturday afternoon for the traditional parade down Bligh Street.
While SES volunteers controlled the traffic, about 100 riders paraded down the road led by mounted infantry from a Light Horse re-enactment troop.
The parade also included several buggies restored by volunteers at the Murgon Men’s Shed.
There was another local touch on Saturday night with Cherbourg band Muddy Flats entertaining at the Kilkivan Showgrounds.
This year’s Kilkivan Great Horse Ride will be the last held under the current two and a half-day format.
The proposal is that the festival will expand to five days in 2018, from April 4-8.
The Horse Ride provides an economic boost to Kilkivan every year, but also provides an opportunity for many local community groups to raise funds.
