FoxTROT's First MFTHBA National Trail Ride!!

On 21-25 July 2010, FoxTROT gathered in the Great Smoky Mountains at Orchard Cove Stables for our first FoxTROT/MFTHBA National Trail Ride. There were 26 riders in all with over 30 horses in camp. Besides our Tennessee folks, the Moore family came down from central Illinois; the Godwins and Kellys came up from LA (that's Lower Alabama); and Don Groh came over from North Carolina. Although there were a few "other " horses welcomed on the ride, most of us were enjoying the smooth, sure footed gaits of our Missouri Fox Trotters.

We were able to make several great rides in the Smokies where the elevation brought us cooler temperatures than in the valley. On Thursday we got an early start and trailered 18 horses to the back side of Cades Cove so we could make the ride up to Gregory Bald (elevation: 4,949 ft). The wild blue berries were coming in and the views of the surrounding mountains and valleys were priceless. Although many were tired and maybe a bit sore after being out for 7 hours, everyone made comments about how much they enjoyed Gregory Bald. On Friday we rode out of camp casually in small and large groups to enjoy the School House Gap Trail and onward to other loops in the area. Everyone was conscious of the need to get back and get ready for Donna and Ray's wedding in the evening. Saturday brought another early start, trailering around 8:00 a.m., to get to the Middle Prong Trail in the Tremont area of the Smokies. About 15 made this loop ride along the creek on up to the Miry Ridge Trail and back down to the trailers. The highlight of this ride was the water crossings, cascades and waterfalls along the trail. The cool breezes along the creek and in the elevation were a welcome break from the summer heat. Sunday morning brought a big camp pot luck breakfast and Cowboy Church, after which most had to break camp and make there way home. As always, new friends were made and old friendships were strengthened as we enjoyed one another and our great Missouri Fox Trotters on the trail and in camp. With a few tearful "see ya' later" and "hope to ride with you again soon", the FoxTROT/MFTHBA National Trail Ride in the Smokies came to an end. Everyone agreed that the Great Smoky Mountains provided us a wonderful place to ride in the summer.

If all this sounds wonderful to you, then make your plans right away to join us on a future trail ride. The next FoxTROT ride is just around the corner. The FoxTROT Fall Trail Ride, along with the Foxtrotter Affair, is set for 8-12 September at East Fork Stables in Jamestown, TN. For reservations at East Fork Stables go to http://www.eastforkstables.com/, then go to http://www.foxtrotteraffair.com/ to register for the Foxtrotter Affair.

Happy Trails,

Sam Gerhardt, President, FoxTROT

P.S. Be sure to check out the slide show presentation prepared by Lea Valentine, FoxTROT VP. You'll find it in the blog below the wedding blog.

FoxTROT's First Wedding!!

On Friday, 23 July 2010, FoxTROT members, Donna Porter and Ray Maurer, were joined in holy matrimony! The ceremony was held on the steps of an old Methodist church in Townsend, Tennessee, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The wedding was planned by the couple to coincide with the FoxTROT/MFTHBA National Trail Ride in the Smokies. Those in attendance were members of FoxTROT who came to participate in the ride. FoxTROT President, Sam Gerhardt, who is an ordained minister, presided over the service. After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a "wedding supper" at the Carriage House Restaurant where a surprise wedding cake was presented to the newly married couple. The next morning Ray and Donna returned to camp around 7:00 a.m. and saddled up to join the rest on the Saturday trail ride by 8:00 a.m.

The wedding vows recited by the couple were a bit unique to a horse oriented household. " I, (Ray/Donna), take you (Donna/Ray), as my lawful wedded (wife/husband) to have and to hold from this day forward. I promise to love and cherish you, to honor and sustain you, in the bad that may darken our days, in the good that may light our ways, in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, for better or for worse, through horse buying and selling, riding and training (at which point, Ray said, "That's a tough one."), and forsaking all others, to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us." Later, the couple told us that the only real 'disagreement' they'd had in their four years together was over buying or not buying a horse. So, the unique vows proved to be perfectly appropriate!

Our prayers remain with Mr. and Mrs. Maurer. We wish them great success and happiness in their marriage.