The event is sanctioned by the Endurance Riders Assocation and is a major fundraiser for the Riding for the Disabled (NSW) Association Wauchope/Port Macquarie Centre.

On Saturday July 15, there is a 10km social ride. This ride is a non-competitive , easy paced ride for anyone who enjoys a ride in the bush or is thinking of becoming an endurance rider.

It starts at 2pm on Saturday and there is a maximum two hour time limit for the ride. Horses must be vetted prior to the ride and also after the ride. Vetting starts from noon.

The Sunday is the main riding day. The events comprises of an 80km endurance ride, a 40 km training ride and a 20km social ride.

Entrants in the 80km ride must be members of NSWERA and qualified.  However the other events are open to any rider.

Pre-ride vetting will commence at 12.00pm on Saturday for the 40km and 80km horses. The 20km entrants, however, may choose to vet from 7am on Sunday with an 9am start.

The 80km endurance ride commences at 4am on the Sunday morning. It is a spectacular sightseeing the riders and horses disappearing in to the bush with helmet lights the only form of illumination.

All participants must provide a three-day or 10-day Horse Declaration form, available from the NSWERA website under Horse Forms.

Endurance riding is a family sport attracting riders of all ages. Riders under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

All rides are run under strict veterinary rules. Again, the ride base will be the Wauchope Saleyards/Pony Club grounds, following forest trails through the Broken Bago State Forest and the Bago Bluff National Park.

Ride organisers would like to express their gratitude to John O’Brien for the use of Wauchope Saleyards.

For details, please contact Trish Thomas on 0419 263 226 or email Trish at cosycorner3@bigpond.com or go to Facebook Bago Bush Ride 2017.