Many reins, but not enough rain for riding school
MIXING her passion for animals with her career in family and community services, Sandra Mcbride has the best of both worlds when it comes to running Outback Pony Rides, but the long dry conditions out west are taking their toll.
Having moved to Dubbo from the Hawkesbury three and half years ago in search of more space and fresh air, Mrs Mcbride’s family business has thrived.
“We get so much really positive feedback from both visitors to Dubbo and locals, so the community have been really supportive,” Mrs Mcbride told
“And because we are an outdoor recreational facility, we help get kids outdoors and away from computer screens and games and things like that.”
But there’s a lot more to Outback Pony Rides than leading a child around on the back of a cute equine.
The business hosts children’s birthday parties, runs educational riding programs, has local disability services visit weekly and takes their two therapy horses, Bubba and Beauty, to visit the elderly at nursing homes.
“We visit a lot of elderly people who might have come off farms where horses were a big part of their life and they might not have the opportunity to see or pat one again, so we take them inside some of the local nursing homes from time to time and they are absolutely fantastic and really good therapy ponies,” Mrs Mcbride said.
“It’s one of my favourite things to do.”
But like many people in the area, the lack of rain has hit Mrs Mcbride and her pony riding business hard.
“The drought is taking its toll on us,” she said.
“There is no feed and we are really struggling in that regard to continue the services that we are providing within the community. Everything we are earning is going on feed and feed is becoming quite scarce, so that’s one of the biggest challenges.”
When the drought does break though, Mrs Mcbride has big plans for Outback
Pony Rides.
As well as updating their facilities, they hope to offer additional services.
“I’d run a program working with victims of domestic violence around confidence building courses with the ponies
– that’s something I’d really love to do in the future,” Mrs Mcbride said.
“We would also really love to add trail riding to the business at some stage. We have quite a unique property and it’s very scenic and we get asked a lot if we offer trail rides.”
As well as horses, Outback Pony Rides is also home to baby farm animals which the public can pet and feed.
Mrs Mcbride feels privileged to be able to offer local kids an opportunity some only dream of.
“I just love watching their smiles and their confidence when they take their first ride,” she said.
“They become really proud of themselves that they accomplished that and overcame any fears. It’s just such a pleasure to be able to offer that to a child.” Sandra Mcbride’s community involvement includes arranging for her horses to visit elderly people who have come off farms and who might not otherwise get to see or pat one. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/EMY LOU PHOTOGRAPHY DUBBO College was centre stage with St Mary’s North Public School in Sydney to launch the state’s Education Week on Monday, August 5, via a webcast in front of a live audience of 300 and broadcast to 2200 public schools across NSW.
Dubbo College student leaders Grace Gower and David Woods joined St Mary’s school captains to host the launch.
The webcast included an Acknowledgement of Country by Dubbo College Year 12 students Skye Crawford and Quincy Ross and a performance by Delroy Campus Yu Yang Galang Indigenous dancers.
“I believe it is indicative of the esteem in which Dubbo College is held in regional Australia and a real commendation to our students and staff,” Dubbo College executive principal Andrew Jones said.
“The college produces fine young graduates who work towards a positive future and contribute generously to the community.
“Our involvement this year in the launch of Education Week is a testament to the success of our school, our students and our staff.”
Special guests included State Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the Sydney school, and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell at the Dubbo school.
The theme for this year’s Education Week is “Every Student, Every Voice”, with the launch incorporating a song from Hillston Central School Year 10 student Jorja Dalton and an address from Tumut High School Year 12 student Samantha Barton.