Today Lea, Deb and I made a loop in the Smokies to Mount Cammerer. It was a perfect day for this ride! To see pictures go to http://www.ridinghappytrails.blogspot.com/.
Terry Messex met Donna Porter, Ray Mauer, and others at the Why Not Ranch in middle Tennessee for a nice ride. We may have some pictures from them to post in a few days.
Karen Gagliano is continuing to recover after her surgery which she had this past Tuesday. She'll be back in the saddle again soon for sure!
Let us know of your local rides and send pics if you can.
Happy Trails,
Sam Gerhardt
President, FoxTROT
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Catoosa Ridge Saturday Ride, 11-07-09
What a terrific time we all had who attended the day ride at Catoosa Ridge Stables this past Saturday. Karen Gagliano, our East Tn. Representative and President Sam, put together a fun day. Of course, the weather was just fall-perfect and NO RAIN, which helped a lot. I was trying to count in my head the number of riders we had, so let's just say there was a bunch of us. We all enjoyed seeing Heather from Orchard Cove and her mom, Freda, and her usual smiling face (actually, I think they were scoping out the place-ha). We were fortunate to have one of our members, Roger Wyatt, and two soon-to-be members, Johnny Burgess and Freddy Whittenburg, lead the way, as they live close to Catoosa and have ridden there many a time.
Upon arrival and saddling up, we all rode out with the great expectations . I was on my "Bear", who has ridden in groups many times before. Well, he was acting like a green horse and just seemed to "short circuit" about five minutes into the ride. Sam commented that his mare was acting a bit hyper and full of herself, and then Sarah McCoin said how her horse didn't want to load that morning, which was unusual behavior. Let me throw in here that the very next day James was talking to the president of the Warren County Saddle Club and she said they had about three horses at the show acting unusually weird. Perhaps it was something being carried in the horse wind signals?
James and I split off from the group to give Bear time to calm down, then met up with them again down by the creek. All had a bite to eat--Roger shared his chicken wings, which I thought was an excellent choice of something to pack besides a sandwich, especially since mine got soggy and for those like Debbie and Karen who didn't pack a lunch---guess they looked pitiful and Roger took heart. Terry was doing his usual stuff on the ride, including horse trading. Go figure~
Almost back, we rode/splashed through one nice-sized mud hole with standing water. I was wearing a white shirt--that shirt is now in the rag bin. Enough said on that one!
We all finished out the ride together and agreed it had been a great day with more fun time in the saddle.
Catoosa Ridge will be our meeting place in February 2010, and some of us plan to stay overnight, ride, etc. I'm sure Sam will be sending out info on that as time draws closer.
Upon arrival and saddling up, we all rode out with the great expectations . I was on my "Bear", who has ridden in groups many times before. Well, he was acting like a green horse and just seemed to "short circuit" about five minutes into the ride. Sam commented that his mare was acting a bit hyper and full of herself, and then Sarah McCoin said how her horse didn't want to load that morning, which was unusual behavior. Let me throw in here that the very next day James was talking to the president of the Warren County Saddle Club and she said they had about three horses at the show acting unusually weird. Perhaps it was something being carried in the horse wind signals?
James and I split off from the group to give Bear time to calm down, then met up with them again down by the creek. All had a bite to eat--Roger shared his chicken wings, which I thought was an excellent choice of something to pack besides a sandwich, especially since mine got soggy and for those like Debbie and Karen who didn't pack a lunch---guess they looked pitiful and Roger took heart. Terry was doing his usual stuff on the ride, including horse trading. Go figure~
Almost back, we rode/splashed through one nice-sized mud hole with standing water. I was wearing a white shirt--that shirt is now in the rag bin. Enough said on that one!
We all finished out the ride together and agreed it had been a great day with more fun time in the saddle.
Catoosa Ridge will be our meeting place in February 2010, and some of us plan to stay overnight, ride, etc. I'm sure Sam will be sending out info on that as time draws closer.
Here are a few additional photos of our Fall Ride at The Bolo Club. James and I arrived on Thursday at noon, as did Karen and Lea. As we arrived at noon, a light rain was falling, and shortly after, Sam and Group that were already there came riding back to camp in rain slickers--not a great sign. However, the rain left and we had sunshine for an afternoon ride. The next day we headed out for a day ride with full sunshine. It was quite pleasant crossing creeks, riding up into the fall leaves, and awing at the huge rock formations.
Okay---here is a new rule: When mounting on the trail: One horse and rider per log:
We all found out the hard way.
After a brief rest stop at the "Pig Pen" (have to get trail boss of The Bolo Club, George, to tell you that story) some of us proceeded to remount our horses. I (unknown to me to be a very smart move), was first in choosing the nearest log and remounted. I believe it was Bob who went second. Karen went third. As Karen rode over to me she stated, "I think there is a bee bothering Sonny (her horse). Now, my hubby, James was attempting to remount our horse, Thunder. Well now---Thunder lived up to his name and then some. Lea shouted, "bees", and James had one foot in the stirrup---he jumped back (thank goodness 'cause I don't think the best rider would have held on), Thunder came bucking away from that log, and proceeded to put on a show that I've not seen rodeo horses hold a nickel to! Poor Thunder got popped six times, and James got it once. Being the great Fox Trotter horse he is, Thunder calmed right down, James chose to remount from the ground, and off we went.
Now, for those of you who don't think horses can remember. About two hours later we were coming back on another trail that hooked into the Pig Pen. I was behind James and Thunder as they rode past that log. Thunder turned to look at that one log, and proceeded to walk very cautiously past it.
It was good to see our campsite again. As usual, just a lot of good talking & clean-cut carrying on.
Okay---here is a new rule: When mounting on the trail: One horse and rider per log:
We all found out the hard way.
After a brief rest stop at the "Pig Pen" (have to get trail boss of The Bolo Club, George, to tell you that story) some of us proceeded to remount our horses. I (unknown to me to be a very smart move), was first in choosing the nearest log and remounted. I believe it was Bob who went second. Karen went third. As Karen rode over to me she stated, "I think there is a bee bothering Sonny (her horse). Now, my hubby, James was attempting to remount our horse, Thunder. Well now---Thunder lived up to his name and then some. Lea shouted, "bees", and James had one foot in the stirrup---he jumped back (thank goodness 'cause I don't think the best rider would have held on), Thunder came bucking away from that log, and proceeded to put on a show that I've not seen rodeo horses hold a nickel to! Poor Thunder got popped six times, and James got it once. Being the great Fox Trotter horse he is, Thunder calmed right down, James chose to remount from the ground, and off we went.
Now, for those of you who don't think horses can remember. About two hours later we were coming back on another trail that hooked into the Pig Pen. I was behind James and Thunder as they rode past that log. Thunder turned to look at that one log, and proceeded to walk very cautiously past it.
It was good to see our campsite again. As usual, just a lot of good talking & clean-cut carrying on.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Fall Trail Ride 2009, The Bolo Club
The Fox TROT Fall Trail Ride was a great success! Over the course of three days we had a total of 18 riders, most of whom were on Fox Trotters. The shortest ride lasted about an hour and the longest ride was about 5.5 hours. One of the trails was a combination of rocky steep up and muddy steep down, which provided a challenge to some horses and riders (and probably not the favorite ride of most). The shortest and most casual ride was through the pastures with a few water crossings. The longest and most scenic ride was rocky up and down, with open woods and beautiful views from along the cliff tops. Fox TROT is still learning how to find the right balance for all of our trail riders! I think the overall consensus was that all had a good time.
Don Trollinger went on his first trail ride after his fall back in July. Cynda Mathis went on her first Fox TROT ride as well. It is good to see both of these in the saddle. (I did not have my camera when we went out with Cynda. If someone has a picture of her on Velvet please post it or send to me for posting. Sorry, Cynda.) (There are no pictures of me either; I was always behind the camera!)
The fellowship after the rides was fun as well. We always find something or someone to tease or be teased. Of course, Terry is usually the instigator!
After a trail ride, the evening meal is always welcomed. The Mexican restaurant in Stevenson, Alabama was good for 2 nights, the prepared meals at camp were delicious one night, but the highlight was the "pot luck" on Friday night! Everything was soooo good! I think the pot luck should become a Fox TROT tradition!
Finally, I should comment about our host camp ground. The Bolo Club in Sherwood, (south central) Tennessee is a great place to camp and trail ride. This is a developing horse camp with much potential. Charles, the owner, was a gracious host who was very eager to meet our needs and was interested in our input as to the future development of the facility. George, the "Trail Boss", was a great trail guide leading us through the woods and along the ridges and cliffs. They have plans to make additions to the facilities and expand the network of trails. The "Pavilion" is second to none with comfortable couches and recliners, large tables and chairs, a big screen TV, and a warm log fireplace. The bath house is clean and very comfortable as well. Follow the progress of The Bolo Club at http://www.theboloclub.com/ and make plans to ride there with your other trail riding companions!
Sam Gerhardt
President, Fox TROT
Don Trollinger went on his first trail ride after his fall back in July. Cynda Mathis went on her first Fox TROT ride as well. It is good to see both of these in the saddle. (I did not have my camera when we went out with Cynda. If someone has a picture of her on Velvet please post it or send to me for posting. Sorry, Cynda.) (There are no pictures of me either; I was always behind the camera!)
The fellowship after the rides was fun as well. We always find something or someone to tease or be teased. Of course, Terry is usually the instigator!
After a trail ride, the evening meal is always welcomed. The Mexican restaurant in Stevenson, Alabama was good for 2 nights, the prepared meals at camp were delicious one night, but the highlight was the "pot luck" on Friday night! Everything was soooo good! I think the pot luck should become a Fox TROT tradition!
Finally, I should comment about our host camp ground. The Bolo Club in Sherwood, (south central) Tennessee is a great place to camp and trail ride. This is a developing horse camp with much potential. Charles, the owner, was a gracious host who was very eager to meet our needs and was interested in our input as to the future development of the facility. George, the "Trail Boss", was a great trail guide leading us through the woods and along the ridges and cliffs. They have plans to make additions to the facilities and expand the network of trails. The "Pavilion" is second to none with comfortable couches and recliners, large tables and chairs, a big screen TV, and a warm log fireplace. The bath house is clean and very comfortable as well. Follow the progress of The Bolo Club at http://www.theboloclub.com/ and make plans to ride there with your other trail riding companions!
Sam Gerhardt
President, Fox TROT
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