ride4acure

The phone rang early yesterday morning just as I was going out the door to work and it was a friend in town who had Charles Olsson in her shop and he was asking her about the ride4acure trek.  Charles (and his Marketing Manager David in the support wagon) had just spent three days riding with Tony Abbot on the ‘Pollies Pedalling’ bike ride from the Gold Coast to Sydney, which is coming through this area.  The long and short is ride4acure now has Olsson’s sponsorship and they’re providing hydration tablets called ‘Horse Tranz’ , this was syncronistic as the night before Esther, Joe and I were sitting around the kitchen table talking about this very thing, crossing the country and horses drinking different water types.  Horse Tranz is also an electrolyte replacement supplement and is available online

http://www.farmservices.com.au/product.php?productid=1002 or enquiries to  http://olssonpacific.com/ additionally Olsson’s have also supplied us with skin care products from the  http://optherapy.com.au/ skin care range.  We will need it as working outside all day comes at a cost!  Trekking in winter is hard on anyone,  our skin will cop it for sure with wind and cold.

A key part of our skin care is the application of sunscreen throughout the day.  All year round  we need to use sunscreen when out in the sun for longer than ten minutes when the UV is above 3.  Which is most of the year for us guys in this area.  But stands for most Australians.

What a beaut morning to be planning and preparing! I am sitting on the veranda of Mums house in Sherwood looking out to my horse paddock and a backdrop of this wonderful Macleay Valley. It is so good to be ‘home’ in a town where people knew Hannah and its a three hour trip to town to pick up one item by the time you run into old friends and catch up with what’s been happening! The horses are looking terrific and are on a strict feeding regime, I am so thankful to Manuka and Mitavite for supporting me and ride4acure! I truly believe that for my horses to do their job to the best of their ability they have to be on high energy diet, which the Manuka Horsilage and Mitavite ProSport provide. My knee has recovered and I am back full force into my training and preparations!

The three horses Meg, lofty and Titan have a real team attitude. We have a system towards everything now, who gets caught first, fed first, let go first and it all just works. Lofty has really come into himself as a horse and is just proving himself time and time again as a trustworthy and confident crew member. Titan is as he as always been perfect:-) I may be slightly biased as I have been his only human for the past seven years! And Meg is a little trouper, after shaping up for the trek last year from Kempsey to Melbourne she is again taking things in her stride. I enjoy most moments of my training aside from the ones spent in the pouring down rain… But the wet weather is a fact of life and building my resilience towards variables that are out of my control!  I have met so many great people on the side of the road that pull up for a yap! My most memorable however is the 80+ year old woman who pulled up and talked for 10 or 15 minutes and parted with wise words that I shall never forget.

“Love, if you want loyalty buy a dog, if you want trust Keep your horses, if you want heartache, get a Man”

Having a very trustworthy team of Horses and a very Loyal red heeler, and being single I couldn’t help but have a quite laugh!

Happy Trails!

Esther. Xo

Today marks 30 days til departure and we’re well on track with our planning.  The truck is currently in at Venture Smash repairs Belgrave  Street Kemspey with Peter Cruickshank and his team giving the truck a makeover!

Today’s Daily Telegraph has a great article about Esther and Lofty  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/no-ride-too-epic-for-the-love-of-sister/story-fn6b3v4f-1226031583295

Esther is doing a presentation at a local school today, the first of many!

Titan, Lofty and Meg are back in the Macleay Valley with us here near Sherwood.  We’re getting into the business end of the preparations now.  Esther’s back in the saddle after having two weeks recovering from a knee dislocation.  She’s going well and her knee’s feeling stronger every day. The horses fitness levels are excellent as they clock up the miles around the Macleay.

The horses are doing really well on Manuka Chaff and Horsilage and Mitavite and are looking exceptional. For info on the horsilage check out  http://www.manukachaff.com.au/horsilage.html it is such an awesome product.

Our preparations at the moment include getting modifications done to the truck to enable us to carry all the feed and water and gear needed. Preparing posters and information packs to post out to over 100 schools en route – my hope is to have at least 60 schools booked in by mid April.  Our itinerary is almost finalised and can be viewed via link on top right of this web page.

A ride like this is only possible because of the generous support of businesses. The following businesses are supporting the  equine side of the coast2coast event and we’re waiting on word from others.

http://www.manukachaff.com.au/horsilage.html

http://www.clarkehorseshoes.com.au/

http://www.mitavite.com.au/mitavite06/default.asp

http://thinline.net.au/id4.html

http://www.muddycreekraingear.com.au/

The following businesses in Kempsey and Port Macquarie are supporting ride4acure in other ways;

http://www.macleaycbd.com.au/kempseysigns.html providing signage for vehicles, banners, stickers.

http://www.hotgraphics.com.au/ all graphic design work used on shirts, posters and logo.

http://www.macleaycbd.com.au/venturesmash.html provision of paint and labour to paint truck

http://www.macleaycbd.com.au/tyres.html upgrading tyres for our truck.

Michaels Metal Market: River St KEMPSEY 2440 Ph: 0265 62 3388 for provision of steel for portable yards and modifications for truck

NEXGEN ENGINEERING: Kempsey – James Findlay 0457 739 088/providing all steel reconstruction on truck and building portable yards.

A massive thank you to these generous businesses.

What a beautiful country we live in! In the last two weeks we have come across so many generous people.

On February 3rd all of the hard work and effort of Paula McIver came together and a brilliant Dinner and Auction was held at the Playhouse Hotel Barraba. The night began with drinks and nibbles and a presentation by Mum, who was as she always is captivating. Sometimes when I really listen to what she is saying I forget that the story she is telling is my story! Mum has such an incredible talent for getting people to understand the message she is putting out there. After the presentation a beautiful meal was served and the auction began. Our MC for the night Kevin Anderson (Nationals Candidate for Tamworth Electorate) for  did a terrific job of keeping the night rolling. Charlie Hart (Landmark Barraba) was our Auctioneer for the night and the pair kept us all very well entertained! Thankyou to all the kind people who donated items, came along to the night and of course our buyers! The Playhouse Hotel did a brilliant job with the meals, setting and service. From the night a total of $4156, from around 40 people attending the night, this is AWESOME!! GO BARRABA!!

On Friday the 4th of February Mum and I attended the Landmark Horse Sale held in Tamworth, At Midday Mum gave a quick presentation about ride4acure and what we are doing this year. All week donations had been taken and we are still waiting on a final tally. A big thankyou to all of the landmark team who supported ride4acure.

In Training news I am up to day 16! I have approximately 78 Days left until I ride out of Crescent Head! The team is beginning to get fit and slimming down, a month ago Lofty looked like he was about to drop a foal! Every day I up the miles gradually so they are travelling around 6-8 k’s each this week and by Feb 20th they will be up to a consistent 10k’s each. I will sit on 10k’s for another week then gradually up the k’s again. I am loving the time in the saddle and getting fitter myself!

I have met two incredible women in the Last few weeks that have kindly offered to donate towards our fuel, fodder and food account! Our fuel, fodder and food account is money that pay’s for exactly that! In doing this trip Mum and I both inject not only time, but large sums of money towards shoeing horses, feeding horses, rugging horses, paying agistment. Once we are on the trip we foot the bills for fuel, food, hay for the horses, farriers, and any other unsuspecting bills that pop up!  But, this is a small price to pay to ‘put melanoma on the map’. In doing this out of our own pocket, it doesn’t detract from the money raised for the Hannah Rose Melanoma Research Fund. The Fuel Fodder and Food account is not attached to the website so there is no confusion, if you are interested in supporting in this way drop me an email and I will explain and give the details.

esther@ride4acure.com.au

Mitavite sponsor me with hard feed and performa oil whilst on the trek, Clarke Horseshoes donate my horse shoes and nails and help organise farriers en-route. I cannot thank either of these sponsors enough. They have done such a terrific job of supporting Mums 2010 horse trek and to come on board again for 2011 is incredible! Thank you!

We have a new sponsor on board aswell, Muddy Creek Raingear are donating wizbang raincoat’a that will keep me and the crew dry and warm in those cold winter days!! check out their website at http://www.muddycreekraingear.com.au/

I think that about wraps up all the great and generous people we have met in the past weeks.

Once again to all of our sponsors, supporters and followers. THANKYOU!

Happy Trails.

Xo Esther

Wow, day four… makes 96 days seem like a really really really long time!

Going from having one horse around to feed, water, shoe and fiddle with to having three horses that have all the same requirements was a snap to reality! I have settled into a rhythm of feeding, washing, rugging, attending and loving all three of my horses. Day one, Lofty believed that the world was going to end because I was firstly putting a mare in his paddock, then I was also going to pat this horse??!! He was just like a needy child! Meg and Titan don’t bat an eyelid at him, so they have found there pecking order and relaxed into their new lifestyle. I am just focussing on getting the general fitness of all three of them up to scratch so the knuckling down side of the training can begin. Before May I will have to know how many k’s each horse is capable of, what order suits them best (just like some humans, some horses are just not morning horses!) what gear fits best, the feeding regimes will have to be strict to get optimum efficiency out of my horses and also feeding myself to make sure I have stamina and energy left at the end of the day! This is all only the tip of the iceberg, I am so privileged to have such a brilliant Mum who is supporting me to undertake such a massive trek and help with all the planning. The more I do the easier it will get.

Happy Trails,

Esther xo

Training in state forest

Lofty and Meg

Shaking the dust from our boots Esther and I headed to Sydney on Monday 24th as we’d been shortlisted in the top 10 stories for this national short story writing competition held in early January.  It was a thrill to be sitting in a packed recital hall at Angel Place in the city with a panel of notable Australians including MC Wendy Harmer, Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Jeff Heugill, amazing singer songwriter Emma Donovan (who has strong family ties here on the Macleay) and many others. Wendy Harmer is just exceptional and opened the event with such enthusiasm the energy in the room was electric! It was broadcast live on ABC Radio National and also internationally, Esther and I received a mention for our stories and were invited for after show drinks. The response to our story from the presenters and organisers was great. I am sure big things will come of this!

Esther and Maura at Hope 2011

Today 26th of January Australia Day Titan and Meg begin their training! Esther is heading of to Coffs with the two horses in tow to begin the massive job of getting the team fit for the trek. Esther will be continuing working at Jay Jays, Just Jeans and The Park Beach Bowling Club in the Bistro as well as training and chasing down sponsors, connecting with people en-route, and preparing physically, mentally, and emotionally. 3am starts are going to become routine!! The modification’s to the truck are beginning engineer James Findlay from Kempsey is helping design and revamp the truck so it is practical for the job it will serve on the trek. Not only will it be carry all of the equipment, it will serve as our home, and an advertising tool for all of our generous sponsors. The truck is going to have all of the ride4acure info and major sponsors signed on all three sides. We are currently looking for an enthusiastic spray painter to give the truck  a face lift!

As a last note would like to thank the generous primary producer who wishes to remain anonymous for donating close to $800 through the sale of livestock at the Kempsey Stock and Land Cattle sale.

Everyday I am learning to ‘seize the moment’. In the last week I have been fortunate enough to stumble across a few incredible people! My ablitly to just strike up conversation with strangers has allowed me to meet the most amazing generous people!

Friday afternoon I had two lovely young ladies come into work chasing some prizes for the Utopian Dream dance festival that was in Coffs last week, they told me about Travers and what he was doing for young Aussie’s in the dance world.

Check out his webpage! http://www.traversross.com.au/utopian-dream-2011/

I was inspired and donated some gift vouchers for prizes! In return they organised a quick shout out at the festival on Saturday afternoon at the Coffs Ex-Services  for me! it was my first ‘official’ ride4acure business without having mum with me! I was nervy but had a blast! Hearing people cheer and clap I had the thought ‘these people get it!’ running through my head! The reason why they got it was they are all passionate about their dance, and life, and getting out there and doing what you love! Walking into the room, the energy and vibe was electric! Thank you so much to all of you there for your time and the opportunity!

Yesterday morning (Monday 17th January) I was lucky enough to have a brilliant up and coming photographer Daniel Darwin photograph Lofty and Myself. I met Dan when I was walking Bobby (the dog!)around Sawtell headland, he was taking a photo of the reflection of the train bridge across Boambee  Creek. Striking up conversation as I do, we talked long enough for a train to come by and get the reflection of the train also! Telling my quick version of ride4acure’s story, Dan generously offered to do some promo photo’s for me!

Check out his facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Hot-Chilli-Photography/111849015531331?ref=ts

I had a blast, lofty was a poser and was well worth the 4.30am start to the day!

I recieved word today that my submission to Hope 2011 – stories that must be told is in the top ten!! I did a double take when I read the email! I received a double pass to the 2011 Sydney Festival!

http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Talks/Festival-Keynote-Hope-2011-stories-that-must-be-told/

What a week!!

Seize the moment however small it may be, you never know how incredible the person standing in-front or beside you may be.

Be brave, ask questions and LIVE!

Cheers All!

Xo Esther

The preparations have begun! ride4acure’s horse trek from coast2coast of Australia is taking shape.

A great  friend of our family Paula McIver has organised a dinner and auction items at The Play House Hotel, Queen Street Barraba NSW on the night of Feb 3rd at 6.30pm. Details will be available online very soon!

Esther is bringing the horses into work on the 25th of January.The horses that will be used on the trip Meg, Lofty and Titan will begin their training program with Esther at the end of Jan. Esther is currently working and living in Coffs Harbour NSW. Using a combination of beaches, state forest’s and roadwork the crew will get endurance fit (Esther’s fitness also!) and sort out routine. Being able to fit in training hours around two casual jobs is going to involve a large amount of 4.00 am starts for Esther and bright and early wake up calls for the horses! Having three months training under the ‘crew’s’ (Esther and Horses included!) belt will allow them to have feeding regimes, pecking order, gear changes and distances down pat. A small profile on each horse seems in order as they are such a vital part of the big picture.

Titan is a 8 year old chestnut gelding, Warmblood X. He has been a part of the Luxford crew for  6 years, Esther started him and has done all the work with him. He stands at around 17.1 hh… MASSIVE! Esther gets to stretch her legs very well to get on him!

Meg is the leading lady out of the 2010 horse trek making it all the way to Melbourne from Kempsey with Maura. She is a buckskin Australian Stockhorse mare, 7 years old and standing around a nice 14.2hh… a much nicer hight to get on!

Lofty is the latest addition to the Luxford crew of horses, Esther purchased him in 2010 from Macksville on the mid-north coast. Lofty is around 15 hh and a quarter horse. At 6 years old he has only had a little work and was very green when Esther purchased him, in the few short months lofty has been around he has wormed his way into Esther’s heart and seemed the obvious choice to be the third addition to the ‘crew’.

The ABC Radio National is holding a competition partnered with the Sydney Festival to present the 2011 Sydney Festival’s Keynote Hope 2011 – stories that must be told.

Both of us (Maura and Esther) have recently posted their story’s on the ABC radio’s hope – Stories that must be told pool.

Maura’s Link :

http://www.pool.org.au/text/hope_2011/maura_luxfords_hopes_for_2011

Esther’s Link:

http://www.pool.org.au/text/esther_luxford_matthews/horses_of_hope_2011

We have shared our stories of Hope and will continue to share our gift of hope to Australians as we make our journey from coast2coast putting ‘melanoma on the map’.

2011 will see  ride4acure – Hannah Rose Melanoma Research Fund take up the challenge again to ‘put melanoma on the map’ and take things a whole lot further. On 2nd May 2011 (which would’ve been Hannah’s 23rd Birthday) will see Esther (20)  and Joe (11)  and I,  leave Cresecent Head (20 kms from Kempsey on the Pacific Ocean) dipping the hooves of three horses in the Pacific and beginning the ride to Perth via the Great Dividing Range to New England, Central West NSW and Riverina , top pocket of VIC, then into SA across to Adelaide, the Nullabor in WA, then onto Perth! this route is 4600kms and we’ll arrive in Perth on 6th August on Esther’s 21st Birthday. I will be driving the support truck in which we’ll be able to carry plenty of gear! What a relief after the pack horse trek where I was so limited in what I could carry. Esther will be the rider this time. We’ll have three horses that will each be rotated daily (all three ridden 5 out of 7 days).

Along the way as per the other two long distance rides from Kempsey to Melbourne I will be presenting “Mela-What?” to many dozens of schools and communities, liaising with politicians, and speaking in as many communities as possible about melanoma prevention and research and everywhere we can fundraising to support vital research to find a cure for melanoma and spreading the word about being proactive and preventing skin cancer and melanoma in young people’s lives.

We are networking in communities along the route now and am interested to hear from people who would like us to visit their communities and also sponsors who may be able to support this trek.

We hosted our dinner dance and auction on the 25th September at the Kempsey RSL Club and it went well. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderfully generous community. support for the auction came from far and wide with many people I met along the treks donating goods for the auction!

http://www.macleayargus.com.au/news/local/news/general/maura-plans-new-longer-trek/1953655.aspx

Watch this space!