Click on Sue's's photo to enlarge it.

I have enjoyed watching the club grow over my time as a member and as a committee member. I love that the club has such a strong family commitment and tries to cater to riders whether they are 2 or 92.

For me it's family time - I get to enjoy riding with both of my girls and my husband comes along and helps as well.

Horse Riding is a wonderful sport to get the whole family involved with and I am happy to have a go at any sort of riding (although I still have my learners plates on)

Click on Andy's photo to enlarge it.

I got my first horse in 1985. My current horse is RJ, a 16.2hh Bay Gelding with a star and two hind white socks and I've owned him for about 4 years. He is special because he was a bit of a rescue mission.

I admire all kinds of horse sports and the horse person I admire most is my brother-in-law, Will Enzinger.

I hope to learn as much as I can with RJ and have lots of fun and meet heaps of people in the process. I'm really enjoying learning about Western riding at the moment and would like to try Reining and Team Penning in the future.

I'm soon to be married to my long term partner, Jason and he has a son, Jesse. Neither of them ride, but Jas is supportive and likes to know I'm doing something I love. My other pets are my dog Ramsay, a Rotti x Smithfield who came form the Hervey Bay Animal Refuge, and Possum, my cat who rules the house!

Click on Julie's photo to enlarge it.

I first started riding my Auntys horse when I was about 4 years old. She used to lead me round and round her house. Later when I was a teenager I used to work in the holidays on a dairy farm and rode their horse to bring up the cows each day. I did get quite a reputation for cantering the horse along the country roads, out of control of course - but managed to stay on!!!

I got my first horse in 1998. a 16hh thoroughbred called Sam. I guess this was the time I really tried to ride properly. It hasn't been easy but I have persisted.

I have a few horses now: Bobby, Reuben and Matilda. I've owned Bobby since he was about an 8yr old, Reuben since he was a 2yr old and Matilda was born on my property.

I love the bond you develop with your horses and love the attention they give you and others.

I especially admire horse people who have an innate connection with horses and can understand why they behave in certain ways. 99% of what a horse does is a result of what we are doing or what someone else has done to them. I really admire people who can work out what is happening and can sort it out. That is why horses are so special - you never stop learning about them and consequently yourself.

My daughter Emily joined Hervey Bay Active Riders last year abd had a ball. Although I have been happy to volunteer my help during riding days last year I was very envious of everyone having so much fun on their horses, so I have now joined in!! I bought a beautiful Palomino called Rogue (by name and nature!!) and we have formed a lovely partnership of trust and love. Although I am still riding slowly and cautiously to gain some confidence, I am enjoying every moment of it. I look forward to spending many happy hours in the saddle sharing the experiences with other members of Active Riders. If you are middle aged and not too sure about riding – have a go anyway – its great!!

Click on Julie's photo to enlarge it.

I started riding when I was 3 years old at a riding school on the Gold Coast.

When I got older we moved to a little town called Beachmere on the Sunshine Coast. There I doubled on the back of my mum's horse for years, until I got my own, at age 11.

We didn't have transport, so mainly we did trail riding and occasionally Pony Club, when we could get a lift with a friend.

Now I enjoy Sporting, Beach Rides, and teaching my daughter Cassie how to ride.

My current horse is Wylie (Willandra Dafur), a 15.2hh grey Arabian.