On May 12, the Pontiac Equestrian Association held its opening trail ride of the season inviting its members and residents in the community to wander the Gatineau Parks on horseback.

Taking place throughout areas of Luskville, the trail extended from Wilson and Steel Line all the way to the Ferme Vaillant located on chemin Lebrun.

Thanks to an agreement with the NCC, the association has earned the freedom to develop a path through the park’s natural protected territory.

The trails are created and maintained by various volunteers dedicated to the association’s activities. The trail is set to be open year-round, according to the association’s secretary Carole Savard.

For Savard, the trail rides provide a financial benefit to the region, as they often draw people from outside who offer a small contribution to the local economy.

Since most of its members come from the Pontiac and Gatineau areas, it offers locals the opportunity to partake in a privileged experience in their own back yard.

As the only trail where horseback riding is allowed in the Gatineau Parks, the ride offers participants a unique opportunity to experience the landscape from a special perspective.

According to Savard, the event drew people from as far as Richmond Ont., as most of the association’s event tend to draw many outsiders.

“We didn’t have a lot of people today,” she said. “But usually our activities attract people from far away.”

With only eight people participating in the event including a couple of new members, the low turnout wasn’t surprising for Savard since the event took place on Mother’s Day.

Despite the underwhelming number of participants, Savard was glad that the weather was favourable, which isn’t often that case at this time of year.

“It’s the first inaugural event that we didn’t cancel because of rain or because of other issues,” she said. “Last year, a bunch of our activities were canceled due to rain.”

Jean-François Bonin poses for a photo while on horseback.

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