Albany equestrian trail named in honour of Mr Mike Stidwell

10/9/99

A pioneer of trail development in Western Australia and one of the State's most dedicated sport and recreation professionals has been honoured with the naming of an equestrian trail at Albany.
Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore named the trail in honour of Mr Mike Stidwell, a former Albany Citizen of the Year and a man who has dedicated 25 years to encouraging people to enjoy the many benefits that regular physical activity brings.
"Naming this trail after Mike is a worthy tribute to the great work he has done, especially in the area of trails development," Mr Moore said.
"I am delighted that the State Government has been able to assist in directing funding from the Lotteries Commission totalling over $90,000 to the Great Southern region over the past two financial years."
The Robinson Estate area of Albany is a semi-rural area with high levels of horse ownership.
In addition, it is home to a number of equestrian-related businesses, and also hosts the Albany Equestrian Centre and the Albany Race Course.
These facilities cater for many local riders as well as many riders from other locations who float their horses to the Equestrian Centre and Race Course.
Recreational horse riders come to the area to use these purpose-built facilities - or the wide open spaces of the coastal reserves nearby, and it is known that the Equestrian Centre is utilised by up to eight pony clubs.
Recent subdivisions in the area have been developed specifically to cater to the horse owning population and when fully developed these smallholdings will add considerably to the numbers of people seeking recreational horse riding opportunities in this part of the City of Albany.
The area is growing in popularity as the horse-riding centre of Albany.
"This is a great place for an equestrian trail and it is most apt that it will bear Mike Stidwell's name,"
Mr Moore said.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9481 2044