The Midwest Horse Trekkers Club Wagga Wagga Station Trek words and photos by Debbie Dowden Trekking is a really relaxing horse pastime. The newly formed Midwest Horse Trekkers Club (MHTC) has the luxury of having some fantastic riding country within easy reach for most members. The club is affiliated with the Australian Trail Horse Rider’s Association (ATHRA) and holds monthly rides. Some rides last for just an afternoon, but the Wagga Wagga trek in early September, was three days of relaxing, riding and friendship in the great Australian Outback. Wagga Wagga Station is situated just east of Yalgoo in Western Australia and offers some spectacular, unhindered riding country. Beautifully maintained by the Kanny family, the station has some wonderful trails within easy reach of the homestead. The Kannys kindly allowed the MHTC to base themselves at the shearers quarters and ride out every day. The ride attracted nine riders, including six new members. They arrived at lunchtime on the Friday and set out on the first 20km ride that afternoon. The ride took the trekkers in a loop from the homestead through some pretty country boasting wildflowers and newly born lambs. During the first ride the trekkers tend to sort out the ride order; which horse travels best next to their horse, which horse needs to go up the front, which horse can buddy a nervous rider or young horse. Radios are carried in case of an emergency, as is a Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT Device) in the event that help is needed. The ride lasted a leisurely four hours and the group arrived back at the shearers quarters in time to feed the horses before setting up camp. The ride on the second day was a 29km stroll around two rugged and beautiful hills. As is the case in this country, the beauty is in the detail and as the riders got closer to the hills, they saw how they changed from being distant landmarks to breathtaking monuments. An early morning 16km ride to the original homestead completed the three day trek. The riders marveled at how difficult it would have been for the early settlers in the area to have lived. Riders contemplated the fate of the person whose