Adiga Riders Adige Offroad site – Horses, 4wd and mountain bikes
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For the first time, on May 20, 2010, a group of horse riders from Kfar-Kama set off to Rehaniya, commemorating the Circassian National Mourning Day, held annually in memory of their country’s occupation by the Russian Czar and the brutal deportation from their homeland on the shores of the black sea, Circassia.
Planning and preparations
The idea began to take shape a few months before the ceremony, that took place in Rihanna on May 21st of that year. There was a great deal of enthusiasm among horsemen in the community, whether experienced or beginners who had just started riding lessons at Circassian Farm Riding School.
The trail was planned using online topographic maps and Google Earth, minimizing the length and road crossings that could jeopardize riders. Moreover, an exploratory tour was carried out to verify that there were no unmapped, man-made roadblocks, such as fences or locked gates.
Photos from 1st day Photos from 2nd day The trailOther than route planning, preparations included arranging an escort vehicle with a horse trailer, for evacuation in case of emergency. Food and drinks for two days, both for riders and horses. A horse truck to transport the horses back at the end of the journey. Coordinating with local organizers and riders, in Rehaniya. Furthermore, and after closing the riders list, we held several briefings and went on a preparatory group ride, to make sure that all riders control their horses in group riding. After a lot of preparation, arrangements and tying up loose ends, there was nothing left to do other than awaiting the day, impatiently.
The first day
Early that morning, riders started showing up at the meeting point to get organized. We tacked up the horses, loaded the escort vehicle, met the camera crew and our guest riders from neighboring villages. After a final double-check, we set off heading north with the flag hoisted up!
Our first break was at Horns of Hattin where we enjoyed a light breakfast of Haliva. From there, we descended to Nimerim stream and had a coffee break at the confluence with Arbel stream. We climbed to Kibbutz Ravid where we stopped to freshen up and let the horses rest. At this point, three other riders, who came out later, joined us. At the same time, another rider had to leave because his horse got too tired and couldn’t continue. So we evacuate him with the escort vehicle.
From the kibbutz, we went down to Khirbat Ravid, passed Tzalmon stream and kept riding till we got to Khukuk spring for our last coffee break before the night camp. On sunset, we rode to Kibbutz Khukuk which provided us a specious campsite with hitching rails to tie up the horses. On arrival, we untacked the horses, gave them water and hay and got them ready for the night’s rest. The camp was set up quickly and a barbecue aroma, curling up from the grill, filled the air. Sounds of Circassian music and conversations about the day’s experiences, on a full stomach, violated the silence of darkness.
The second day
The next morning, we folded the tents and after cleaned the campsite, we got on the horses and headed toward Route 85. We were riding north, on the west side of Amud stream and passed the highway in an underground passage, which was unlocked by a Nature conservation officer who we coordinated with in advance. We entered Akbara stream valley and from there we climbed to Safed through Limonim forest. We took a little rest at Kovas spring and continued to Ein Zeitim park, which was the meeting point with horsemen from Rehaniya and changing to Circassian costumes for the ceremony.
From Ein Zeitim, we took the main road escorted with car convoy, driven at low speed to secure the caravan. Local residents greeted us at the hilltop overlooking Rehaniya. The excitement was great and a national pride swept everyone present. We descended from the hill riding in two lanes and entered Rehaniya. The ceremony began on our arrival.
When all finished, some got their horses on the horse truck and some chose to stay there for the night and return on horseback to Kfar-Kama, the next day.
תמונות מיום 1 תמונות מיום 2 מסלול הרכיבה בעמוד ענן