AFFILIATES X-CHANGE

When you receive your copy of "The Journal" this month, make sure you read Page 29.
There is an article on the Affiliates' meeting held in AVA last month. The remark by "Susan Lesner", which should have been "Sharon Lesner", (our FoxTROT secretary), is right on the point in addressing the fact "Trail riders want to feel included".

As an individual, NOW is your chance to be heard. AVA is asking for your input, stories, etc. At the very end of the article is what and where to submit.
However, as a FoxTROT member, please submit your ideas or suggestions to Sam or any of the BOD members. Submitting suggestions as a group sends a strong message to AVA about what we as an affiliate and trail riders would like to see.

Looking a bit further on Page 29, in case you don't recognize those two smiling MFT riders from the picture itself---our President Sam and trail-boss wife Debbie are featured on a brand new column, "Trails Across American and Beyond". The "Journal" is asking for contributions of pictures, stories, tips, etc.

Your voice and Our voices in these matters will count!

See you at The Bolo Club at the end-of-the month!!

Moira

Well, James and I made an impromptu dash to Dale Hollow Lake yesterday and had one of the most gorgeous days of riding we have had in a long time. The water level was up the highest we have ever seen, and so we were able to walk our horses (when down at the level of the lake, of course) right out to the water with no problems. I was riding our new horse, Thunder. WOW! What a great horse. I had the most fun on him than I have had in a long time. We rode about 4 hours--with a couple of stops. Again, going on a Thursday, we had it all to ourselves. Unfortunately, the remains of the weekend riders were plentiful with cans, bottles, etc., strewn on some parts of the trails. Such a wonderful place to ride, and a few have to misuse it. But, on a brighter note---James and I will do our fall ride to see the leaves change---probably in November. I'll try to plan ahead of time to let everybody know, but I'm sure we will go during the week to miss the heavier traffic. Like I said before, it is a bit tricky finding this spot, so please do not hesitate to call James (you don't want my directions) for help in navigating back to the trail head.

BOD MEETING A SUCCESS

Your FoxTROT BOD (Board of Directors) held their meeting on September 26th, 2009. Our President, Sam, tried to find a central "spot", which turned out to be in Lebanon at the infamous "Shoneys". Actually, we had a very private room, great service, and more so---a very successful meeting. As you see in the picture, we had our fearless leader President, Sam; fast note taker Secretary, Sharon; our important money-man, Treasurer Bill, and then two of our Reps--Karen of the East TN(once she found out we were not at the Ponderosa--hmmm) and of course, Terry(true to form) of the Middle TN.
Yours truly and James were invited because I attempt to take care of the BLOG. And, as spouses are always welcome, Debbie with Sam, Michael with Sharon, and Jimmie with Bill.
All FoxTROT members should be proud of all the time and effort their BOD members contribute. It is, after all, for US. Support them and our organization!
Plans are in the making---stayed tuned for a great FoxTROT year of 2010!!!!
See you at Circle E in October!

Moira

PHOTO SHOOT CALL for FOX TROTTERS!!

Get your camera in action!
In this October 2009 edition of Horse and Rider, page 26, there is an article
"Calling Walkers, Trotters, & POA's!"

Take a photo of your Fox Trotter and submit to the magazine Horse and Rider for a chance to have your horse's conformation critiqued by their Conformation Clinic department. If chosen, your horse's photograph will appear in an upcoming edition of Horse and Rider. But with that given--you can have an insight view of what potential judges would see in your FT and then you, Best Of ALL, you can post your horse's picture as being in the spotlight and brag a bit on our Blog!


From what I've read and seen with past conformation articles---no horse is picked apart. Just good and bad attributes are given.
I could not find any time line on this, so I would just say, "the sooner the better".

For further info, tips on taking good pictures, etc.:

http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/anatomy/conformation_clinic_photo_120808/

MFTHBA REPORT/NEW MEMBERS/FoxTROT BOD PLAN 2010

Hello FoxTROT,

We are now at 57 members. Please welcome Lynn Thacker and Colby Ruf.

Michael and I attended the MFTHBA affiliate meeting in Ava which was held during the Celebration. I have attached that report also. I know not everyone is a member of the MFTHBA but since you all ride Foxtrotters, I thought you might have an interest in what other affiliates are doing.

I am excited about the upcoming ride at Circle E. The Board of FoxTROT is having a board meeting in Lebanon TN on September 26th. This year we just put it all together, now we are going to figure out how to keep each and everyone of you with us again in 2010. We will be updating you on our meeting and letting you know what we have planned in the future. We have some good ideas and now it is time to implement them.

Hope you all are well and if this rain stops, you get some good ride time in.

Warmly,

Sharon Lesner

Sec/ FoxTROT

--
Michael and Sharon Lesner
Serenity Farm Foxtrotters
www.serenityfarm.com

FYI

You can click on any picture and it will increase to full size!

Enjoy!

CATOOSA RIDGE STABLES

Well, James and I hit the trail again today. We met our Lea at Catoosa Ridge Stables where she was also meeting another horse friend. Turns out there was a good-size ride by the group "Women On The Edge". So, we joined right in, and yes, there were some men besides James riding along.

The Catoosa Stables turned out to be a really nice place. I'd recommend it to anybody from what we could tell with just a day ride. The place is immaculate, barns all looked very nice, restrooms with showers were nice and clean, huge meeting hall, pavilions, etc. The trails are all very well marked with a nicely color-coded map to check out where you are. We rode along the main trail, which goes down and follows the "creek", which is just beautiful and goes along forever. The trail has some up and down to it, but is very wide and not scary. The area had had a down pour the night before, so some of the trail was muddy, with only a few spots that were "mucky"--and that was just a few steps worth. So, if you go to ride there, and there has been rain and you don't want to deal with mud of any sort---just stick to the inner trails which meander through pine forests, etc.

Our MFTs, Bear and Rowdy, took the trails like champs, as usual. Lea was on one of her youngsters, a TWH mare, but we still rode next to her on some of the trail---truthfully, all of Lea's horses, TWH and MFT are terrific trail horses.
We did notice a few horses being not-so-sure-footed. Ahhh, just sit back and let your MFT do the walking!

Oh, at least along the creek trail, there are three or four places with picket lines, picnic table, etc. There are 50 miles of their own private trails, and then the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area is adjacent and offers some 90,000 acres of riding, but the trails are not marked very well (or at all), and the CWMA won't allow Catoosa Stables to mark them. So--if you want to ride in there---better have a good GPS (or a horse that can find its way back to the trailer), by the sound of it.

When driving there, make sure you use "Potato Farm Road" entrance. We've heard the other entrance is one that will destroy your brakes going down the hills, and tear-up your transmission going back up again.

It's only an hour drive from our home in Sparta, and I'm sure Lea could tell anybody how long it took her to get there from Knoxville area.

Another fun day in the saddle---I'm ready to go back and explore some more of the trails!

Moira