Riders take in region’s wine offerings

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Central Otago News

The High Country Pleasure Riders enjoyed their second event of the season on Saturday, camping overnight at McArthur Ridge Vineyard in order to saddle up early for a tasting trek of three of Alexandra’s vineyards.

The tastings began at Thyme Hill Vineyard in Letts Gully Road, before lunch and another tasting at Dunstan Road Wines. The group then returned to McArthur Ridge to ‘‘park up’’ their steeds and taste their host’s wine offerings.

Thirty riders took part in the now-annual event, which began three years ago with only 10 riders.

Dale Mitchell, credited with instigating the idea, said the trek was a good way of preparing for the more challenging high country rides once lambing was over.

The club was formed in 1999 as a fellowship of riders who love both riding and enjoying the vistas of the high country.

Kitty Caldwell, who rode her Gisborne-bred mare Lordie, said it was a great privilege to ride the stations the Pleasure Riders were welcomed on.

Zara MacDonald, a horse trekking guide from Tarras, took...