The annual North Otago event was originally scheduled for March 5 and 6, but due to gathering restrictions under the Red traffic light setting, it was postponed until the weekend. But it might have been for the best, as the trail ride had a record 430 riders on Saturday. The two-day event attracted more than 180 people yesterday. Organising committee member Amy Francis was thrilled by the turnout.
"That’s been really exciting," Mrs Francis said.
"It has got a really good reputation. Each year we grow that little bit more, so I guess people come and they’re happy, so they come again and bring their mates."
Riders travelled from Southland, Central Otago, Christchurch, Ashburton, and Dunedin, as well as North Otago, to test the tracks covering 45km, from pee wee to advanced levels.
It was exciting to see the hard work the committee put into creating the trail ride, an annual fundraiser for Five Forks School, come to fruition, she said.
"It’s all come together. The committee reworked the plans and we’ve managed to make it happen.
"It’s been really cool to finally put on an event that’s actually happening. I think that’s why it’s probably been well supported this year as well."
The event brought the Five Forks community together, too. School staff helped with admin, landowners helped marshall the course, parents and grandparents came down to "give us a hand", and the children all raced around the tracks together.
"It’s just a really cool community day. The whole community chips in. We have been really lucky with the support from the community businesses and stuff to help us make it happen."
