Welcome to FoxTROT's blogspot!

If you trail ride in Tennessee on a Missouri Fox Trotting (MFT) horse, then this site is for you! Whether you live in Tennessee or travel here to ride, we invite you to participate. Our desire is to provide an association that will enhance the enjoyment of trail riding the MFT. FoxTROT is an affiliate of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association.

SCHEDULED TRAIL RIDES

The rides listed below are scheduled organizational rides. Additional day and week-end rides are scheduled by Regional Reps and among members as time and opportunity allows.

2017 FoxTROT MFTHBA
National Trail Ride Schedule

(Pending approval by the MFTHBA Trail Committee)

FoxTROT Spring NTR
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
3-7 May 2017
Zenith Stables & Campground
Allardt, TN
931-879-5252
http://www.zenithstables.com

FoxTROT Octoberfest @ East Fork
11-15 October 2017
East Fork Stables
Jamestown, TN
931-879-1176
http://www.eastforkstables.com
In addition to camping and stall fees, this ride requires purchase of the meal package which covers ALL MEALS starting with supper on Wednesday and ending with breakfast on Sunday - $165.00 per person. It's best to MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS VERY EARLY! Reservations require 25% deposit with balance pay out through the year. There's a 10% discount for pre-registration.

Someone of FoxTROT is riding nearly every week end and some week days. For info on regional day rides contact the following anytime for specific plans --

Big South Fork FoxTROT
Lea Valentine, 865-556-3485/931-879-0808, leavalfox@bellsouth.net
Rose Walter, 931-269-0580, rosewalter52@yahoo.com

Smoky Mountain/Eastern TN & Western NC FoxTROT
Lloyd Styles, 865-805-0620, lstyles1968@gmail.com
Debby Gerhardt, 423-237-8726, debbygerhardt@yahoo.com
Sam Gerhardt, 423-237-8724, smfoxtrotters@hotmail.com

2017 Clinics/Events of Interest

Southern Equine Expo
24-27 February 2017
Tennessee Miller Coliseum
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
http://www.southernequineexpo.com
FoxTROT will be representing the MFTHBA with a booth at this event! John Brandreth and The Kansas Kowboy D will provide the MFT breed demo!

MFTHBA Spring Show

3 Year Old Futurity
National Trail Ride
6-9 June 2017
Ava, Missouri
http://www.mfthba.com/springshow
417-683-2468

MFTHBA Show and Celebration
National Trail Ride
5-11 September 2017

Ava, Missouri
http://www.mfthba.com/
417-683-2468

Monday, October 25, 2010

Foxtrotter Affair 2010

(There are no photos with this article. For some strange reason none of us had working cameras! Sorry.)

The first annual Foxtrotter Affair (http://www.foxtrotteraffair.com) was held at East Fork Stables (http://www.eastforkstables.com) in Jamestown, TN, 8 - 12 September 2010, in conjunction with the FoxTROT Fall Trail Ride. Along with the usual 20 or so MFT trail riders from FoxTROT, we had folks bring their MFTs from Kentucky, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Missouri.

The trail riding on East Fork is second to none! Guides were provided to accommodate each skill level of trail rider. Trails were well marked and expansive. We enjoyed the trails each day, even in the rain. I can no longer say, "I've never left the barn in the rain". East Fork should be on every trail rider's "bucket list" of places to ride.

Crest Ridge Saddlery (http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com) gave an excellent clinic on saddle fit. The explanations and information was understandable and valuable. The CRS staff was busy during the entire event assisting and advising. It is certain that many saw the need to replace poorly fit saddles and purchase a top quality saddle from CRS on the spot. Many others will , no doubt, make an order with CRS after they return home. We will look forward to seeing these folks again at next year's Foxtrotter Affair.

Henry Dunn, a MFT trainer from Florida, was on hand to help folks in the arena with their gaits. After a brief demonstration, he was kept busy throughout the event one on one with interested riders. Many comments were made about the great help received from Mr. Dunn.

A competitive trail obstacle course was set up for casual use as desired. Many presented the opportunity to their MFTs to meet the challenges. Most did very well, while some will need more exposure! I heard several say that they will be building obstacles on their places in order to be better prepared for next year! Since the MFTHBA is now associated with the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (http://www.actha.us.com) this type of course certainly will continue to be popular with trail riders.

For many, the charity horse show for the local animal rescue group was the highlight of the Foxtrotter Affair. East Fork was covered up with locals and MFT riders enjoying the show. Several of our MFTs placed in their appropriate classes. The rain did create some issues, but all seemed to have a great time, "entering at the fox trot"!

The last evening was spent at the pavilion. We enjoyed a delicious bar-b-que supper. After the meal, cash awards were presented to certain participants (who doesn't like cash theses days?), like oldest and youngest, best cowboy and cowgirl, who traveled farthest, and those who placed in the show. In addition to cash, some received a copy of the book, Fox Trot Trackings. The awards were well deserved by all who received them. Arrangements were made for entertainment from a local band to follow the meal and awards presentation. Many remained at the pavilion to enjoy the music, dance and, well, you know what goes with this for many MFT folks! The music with "hoops and hollers" was heard well into the night. The last night night was made very special by all of these activities.

Sunday morning brought Cowboy Church. A message meant to challenge and encourage came from the book of Revelation. Jesus is coming again, but this time He will be riding a white horse not a donkey! (Yes, there must be horses in heaven!) The challenge to each was to be certain that they had trusted the shed blood of the risen Savior, rather than religion or good works, in order to be ready for His return! After a word of Prayer, Cowboy Church was dismissed.

The 2010 Foxtrotter Affair was a great success! Special thanks to all who gave and worked so diligently to provide this tremendous event. Be sure to save the website to your "favorites" list in order to keep current with plans for the 2011 Foxtrotter Affair to be held 28 September - 2 October 2011.

Happy Trails

Sam Gerhardt
President, FoxTROT