Horsing Around
Although my grandfather was a jockey and horse trainer, being a born and bred city girl myself, my personal experience of horses is pretty much non-existent. So when my son declared he would like to go horse riding for his upcoming 6th birthday party I thought a bit of investigation into local options was in order.
Online research presented numerous options in the Megalong Valley. Friends with young kids had also recommended Centennial Glen Stables in the Kanimbla Valley. After making a few preliminary phone enquiries we decided to investigate two options – pony rides in the Megalong Valley and horse rides at Centennial Glen Stables.
Access to both the Megalong and Kanimbla valleys can be gained by turning across the railway line at the lights at Blackheath. Turning off Shipley Road to the left into Megalong Road takes you winding down through stunning white gum forests into the Megalong Valley.
Unfortunately our selected Megalong Valley pony stables, happened to be shut the day we visited. This, despite assurances from the owner the week before that we could just ‘pop in anytime’, was very disappointing. I was only glad that we had not driven all the way from Sydney! Having consoled my son and waved to the ponies through the fence, we crossed fingers and toes that there would not be any more disappointments for the day and headed back up to Shipley Road.
To access the Kanimbla Valley keep following Shipley Road and it eventually becomes Kanimbla Drive. The last few kilometres of Kanimbla Drive is a reasonably well graded, but winding dirt road, so a four wheel drive vehicle is preferable but probably not essential.
A large green stable in a beautiful lush valley clearly marked the end to our journery. Greeted by a buff, friendly young man in an Akubra hat and blue bonds singlet, casually knocking up a green house, was in my mind, already an improvement on our last experience. My son also seemed suitably impressed that this venue had ‘real’ cowboys.
We wandered into the enormous green stable and were greeted by a friendly group of women having their morning cuppa. They immediately made us feel welcome and set about organising forms to sign and fitting my son for a helmet.
Centennial Glen Stables has about 50 horses and offers a range of options for different levels of horsemanship experience, including lead rides, riding lessons, mountain trail riding and sulky drives. Appointments are essential for all options so do check out their website for details before embarking on the journey. www.centennialglenstables.com
My son (who never stops talking) had been unfathomably quiet since we had entered the stable. Unsure if this was nerves or excitement we decided to try a 15 min lead ride to see how he went. As I wandered beside the horse chatting away to our lovely guide Maddy, my son’s smile just got bigger and bigger. The ride was extended to half an hour and by the end my young man was looking like he had been riding a horse his whole life.
Enquiries into options for the upcoming birthday party were greeted enthusiastically by the staff. A number of picnic tables are located near the stables and we were informed BBQ facilities could be provided if required. Happy boy, lovely horses, nice staff and a stunningly beautiful valley – 6th birthday party sorted!
WORDS AND IMAGES BY LIBBY SULLIVAN
