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Freedom

Off The Track

Trekking ex-racehorses across Australia for​ youth mental health awareness ​

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Our Mission —

To make the world

a little bit better

Raising critical donations for youth

mental health by partnering

with charity Freedom Youth


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The Team

Stephanie

With over 10 years of riding ​experience, Steph has learned from and ​worked for several trainers around the ​world. Steph now has a full time ​business based near Woodford QLD as ​a qualified riding instructor and trainer. ​Steph is also a youth worker and ​advocate for mental health. With no ​previous trek experience Steph wants ​to prove that if she can challenge ​herself, anyone can!


Da​niel

Daniel is a tennis coach and player ​based in Berwick VIC. Recently, Daniel ​embarked on a transformative journey ​to Sumatra with Edgar's Mission's Trek ​for Kindness, where his love for ​trekking intertwined with his ​commitment to animal welfare.

During a tennis tournament on the ​Sunshine Coast, fate led Daniel to meet ​Steph. Having already planned to backpack ​the National Trail, he has now joined the ​team on foot!

Th​e Horses

Both Steph’s horses, New Future (left) and ​Karmic Prodigy (right) are ex-racehorses. ​Future raced in Hong Kong until he came ​back to Australia via the International ​Thoroughbred Retirement Program.

Both horses have been ridden bit-less and ​barefoot throughout the ride.

Once the trek is completed, it will be the ​first time two ex-racehorses have trekked ​the National Trail. The horses alternate ​between being Steph’s riding horse and pa​ck hors​e.

Your reminder to take each day ​one step at a time.

And that every problem

is ‘figure-outable’


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Australian Outback Sunset

Why Mental Health Matters

Source: www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/statistics

Suicide Prevention Icon

Suicide is the leading cause ​of death for Australians aged ​15-45 with over 3000 Aussies ​taking their own life each ​year.

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Over 75% of mental health ​problems occur before the ​age of 25, with 50% occurring ​before the age of 14.

Mental health

42.9% of Australians ​experience a mental health ​disorder in their lives. This ​equates to 8.5 million people.

Mental Health Line Icon

3/4 of Australian suicides are ​from men yet they are 30% ​less likely than women to

seek help.

Vector flat black horse donkey foot print steps path
Vector flat black horse donkey foot print steps path

The Route

Our ride follows the National Trail, previously called the Bicentennial National Trail, ​and National Horse Trail. The Trail is designed for hikers, cyclists and horse riders and ​follows the eastern side of Australia, beginning in Cooktown North QLD and ending in ​Healesville VIC.


Covering a total of 5330km, it is the longest self contained trail in the southern ​hemisphere, and one of the longest in the world. This means that with enough ​planning it is possible to complete the trail without external support. The NT is split ​into twelve 200-600km sections that link together and form the trail.


The trail was established in 1972 by a committee, chaired by the legend, RM Williams. ​He sponsored a stockman, Danny Seymour, to find a route along the length of ​Australia. Seymour spent 18 months mapping the trail, which has evolved and grown ​into what it is today.


For those interested in completing this trek (or short sections) become a member of ​the National Trail and then you have access to download the section maps in either ​GPS or paper format. The NT also provides maps for shorter weekend sections for ​those not wanting to do the full trek. The trail is run by volunteers and all membership ​funds help to maintain the trail.


We hope to encourage others to get out on the trail, and experience what might be ​Australia’s best kept secret!

Timeline

Cooktown - ​Ravensw​ood QLD

August 1st 2023

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Trek Paused

Se​p 2023 - April 2024

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Ravenswood QLD

Ap​ril 26th 2024

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Biggenden QLD

Mi​d June 2024

Blackbutt QLD

Au​gust 17th 2024

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Killarney QLD

September 5th 2024

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Ebor NSW

September 25th 2024​

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Aberdeen NSW

La​te October 2024

Wallerawang N​SW

Mid November 20​24

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Canberra ACT

Late Nov / Early D​ec 2024

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Tom Groggin VIC

De​cember 2024

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Healesville VIC

Mi​d January 2025

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Get Involved

We hope to raise awareness about the importance of mental health ​with the communities we pass through, and also encourage other ​adventurers to get out on the trail! No prior skills are required, just a ​can-do attitude and a half decent tolerance to the outdoors.

How to help:

Host an event - To raise awareness for youth mental health

Join Us - On foot/own horse for a kilometre, day, week or more!

Sponsorship - For groups/businesses looking to support trek gear

For those seriously interested: please contact Steph on our socials at ​the top of the page.

HOST AN EVENT

JOIN US

SPONSORSHIP