Visit Great Western | Victoria

Great Escape Pleasure Ride

October 8-10, 2010

Come along and join in the fun! Experience two magnificent rides on well marked and safe trails. Great friends... Great times... Great ride... Great Western!.

Download the PDF brochure (614kb).

A Great Escape!

Come along and join in the fun and excitement of the Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride.

The first ride (Saturday) is approximately 30-35 kilometres to and through the beautiful local ranges, which are privately owned. A picturesque ride with spectacular views of the Grampians mountain range and native flora and fauna. The second ride (Sunday) is a ride of approximately 25 kilometres along quiet undulating bush tracks and roads. Riders will pass vineyards belonging to local wineries, followed by a lunch to satisfy.

For non-riding participants the Great Western Recreation Reserve and surrounding roads and tracks offer scenic bike riding and walking trails..

Major raffle prize

Over the weekend raffle tickets will be available for purchase for the chance to win great prizes of local wines, horse feeds and accessories, show bags and other fantastic goodies!

The major raffle prize will be drawn on Saturday night and consists of an R.M.Williams full length Oilskin Coat and pair of R.M.Williams Craftsman Boots, together valued at over $500 and generously donated by sponsor Carroll’s Saddlery! You can enter as many times as you like, so bring lots of spare change for your chance to win!

Weekend itinerary

Friday, 8 October

Arrive at Great Western, set up camp.

Riders will receive rules and regulations, gift bag, rider tags and pre-ordered merchandise for the weekend. Non-riders will receive gift bags and non-rider tags.

6.30pm - Great Aussie Barbecue (strictly between 6.30pm and 8.30pm) and official welcome at the Great Western Racecourse with local wines and beer available for purchase.

Saturday, 9 October

7-9am - Breakfast at the Great Western Racecourse.
10am - Commence pleasure ride [approximately 30-35 kilometres].
12.30pm - Lunch (salad rolls, fruit, cake, slices, biscuits and drinks), fresh water available for horses. Wine tastings and purchasing available.
6-7.30pm - Dinner - full spit roast dinner, dessert, BYO is permitted this year and the Reserve will run a small bar at the Great Western Racecourse in case you run short.
8pm - ‘Punt on the Ponies’ and Juke Box (details below).

Saturday night entertainment

Enjoy a fantastic spit roast, discuss the day’s events around the bonfire, with local wines to taste and purchase.

Punt on a Pony Family Game – Great prizes to be won, you can play on your own or as a group.

Sunday, 10 October

7-9am - Breakfast at the Great Western Racecourse.
10am - Commence pleasure ride (approximately 25 kilometres).
12.30pm - Picnic Lunch.
1.30pm - Ride back to Great Western Recreation Reserve.
Depart Great Western.

Weekend protocols

The Recreation Reserve Committee would like to welcome all the participants in this years ride. We hope you have a wonderful weekend with us. The Recreation Reserve Committee has put together a list of protocols to adhere to, for everyone who is staying on the reserve for the weekend. They are as follows:

Event tags must be worn at all time, on or off your horse.
Disclaimer forms to be completed and returned with registration and payment. No rider will be allowed to ride without completion of form.
Approved helmets and boots MUST be worn at all times whilst mounted.
Horses are not permitted within the enclosed function area, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Riding your horse bareback is not permitted on the grounds.
All riders are to please call their ‘Rider Number’ out to the Gate Stewards and Checkpoint Operators. This is a safety issue to ensure all riders are accounted for.
All riders will be permitted to leave on each day from 9.30am and NO later than 10.30am. Lunch will be available from 12.30 to 1.30pm on both days and NO earlier (no need to rush your ride as catering will not be available any earlier).
Please pass slower riders at a walk and let them know your intentions to pass.
It would be appreciated if the riders wanting to go at a quicker pace leave a bit earlier.
It is expected that all horses are treated with the upmost care and consideration in regard to their health, fitness and riding ability.
There will be water available for you and your horse on the ride every 7 to 10 kilometres.
We ask that all riders and their families please pick up and remove all rubbish and horse manure. Please use the chaff bags provided: one for rubbish and one for manure, and leave them by a tree for the Grounds Committee to dispose of. More bags are available at the Office.

These rules may be amended at the discretion of the Committee.

Wendy Cairns
President, Great Western Recreation Reserve

Conditions for all riders

I understand that there will be some risk involved in riding on public roads and I am aware of the danger involved in riding horses in general.

I believe I / my child is competent and has the knowledge and skills to participate safely in this event.

I hereby acknowledge and agree that the Great Western Racing Recreation Reserve, the organisers, sponsors, servants, landowners, promoters, officials, representatives or agents of the Great Escape Pleasure Ride 2010 are absolved from all liability for death, injury, loss or damage whatsoever caused, including through negligence, resulting out of my / child’s participating in the Great Escape Pleasure Ride between October 8-10, 2010 inclusive, except in regard to any right that I / my child may have under the Trade Practices Act 1974.

I understand that I MUST wear an approved riding helmet AT ALL TIMES whilst mounted on a horse.

I hereby indemnify the ‘above mentioned’ and other persons involved in the organisation of the Great Escape Pleasure Ride 2010 against all liability and against all proceedings and costs which may be taken in respect of my / child’s participation in the Great Escape Pleasure Ride 2010.

(Please note this 'Conditions for all riders' form must be returned with entry form and must be signed before participation on the Great Escape Pleasure Ride 2010 is permitted. Click here to download).

Terms and conditions

All competitors and spectators attending the Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride do so at their own risk and no responsibility for injury or loss will be accepted by the Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride Committee. All competitors will be required to sign a disclaimer prior to ride.

Entry forms and payment in full must be received by September 24, 2010. Entries will not be accepted after this date. The Committee reserve the right to refuse entries. Riders will not be permitted to ride without rider tags.

Cheque/money orders payable to the Great Western Recreation Reserve. No direct deposit this year.

Entries to be posted to: Kim Charlton, 133 Clarendon Road, Lal Lal VIC 3352, before September 24, 2010.

Dogs are permitted but must be on a lead at all times during the Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride weekend.

The Great Western Racing and Recreation Reserve Committee wish all participants an enjoyable and relaxing weekend of riding and associated activities.

Event information

When - 8-10 October, 2010.
Where - Great Western Recreation Reserve, Great Western.
Cost - $180 per adult rider, $130 per junior rider (16 years and under, proof of age required).
Bring - Sound, fit horse or pony, yards (electric or whatever your mount is used to and is safe and secure), bridle, saddle, halter, lead rope, horse feed, water buckets, approved helmet (MUST be worn at all times when mounted), plate, bowl, cup, cutlery, camping gear (tent, swag etc.), clothing suitable for all seasons. Please note: no yards will be provided by the committee.
Provided - All meals, hot showers, toilets and entertainment.
Alcohol - A bar serving spirits, wine and beer is available on Friday and Saturday nights. BYO permitted.
Bookings - Wendy Cairns, phone 0427 200 278, or Anne Speers, phone 0437 259 827.

Fundraising

All monies raised from the 2009 Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride and associated activities went towards supporting a grant for a new kitchen and coolroom facility at Great Western Racing and Recreation Reserve.

The Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride Committee would like to thank the following local community sporting clubs for their assistance in running the Great Western Great Escape Pleasure Ride: Grampians Riding Club, Great Western Football and Netball Club, Great Western Archery Club, Great Western Racing Club, Great Western Fire Brigade.