Goldfields Cavalcade co-ordinator Terry Davis holds the lead horses before the Heavy Wagons Trail began the cavalcade this week. Almost 500 cavalcaders on nine trails will arrive in Omakau this Saturday for the grand parade at noon and hoedown that night.
Goldfields Cavalcade co-ordinator Terry Davis holds the lead horses before the Heavy Wagons Trail began the cavalcade this week. Almost 500 cavalcaders on nine trails will arrive in Omakau this Saturday for the grand parade at noon and hoedown that night.
As almost 500 cavalcaders make their way over nine trails towards Omakau this week, new tales are being told and more friendships forged, Goldfields Cavalcade co-ordinator Terry Davis says.
''People who do the cavalcade for the first time are struck by the sense of community and the friendships you buildso quickly,'' Mr Davis said.
''When you're sharing a bit of hardship that's the best way to build deep relationships. It's not superficial; you're generally best friends after you've survived a storm going over a mountain.''
While the weather forecast for this week's cavalcade was good and there would hopefully be ''no storms'', the adventures, shared stories and experiences of past cavalcades would be repeated this year in the 25th jubilee cavalcade, Mr Davis said.
Three walking trails, four riding trails and two wagon trails are heading towards Omakau, which will host the grand parade and welcome celebrations on Saturday.
Mr Davis said the experience of doing a cavalcade was ''life-changing'' for those who took part, and reminded of the respite that could be gained from everyday life.
''When they [cavalcaders] get in they're tired, but when you get them talking they've got an absolute spark in their eye and they're almost in awe that you can still do this sort of thing, that you can spend a whole week on a horse in the mountains. All the other stuff of everyday life is just left behind. It's rejuvenating.''
Mr Davis said community groups were pulling out the usual stops to cater for the trails and host the Saturday events, and special mention would be made of key cavalcade identities after the grand parade.
