Once again, the Eastern States MFTHBA National Trail Ride
was an overwhelming success. Members of FoxTROT and several affiliates gathered
on October 9-13 at the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area near
Jamestown, TN. This year we selected Timber Ridge Horse Campground as our base
camp. Lee and Josh did a great job of welcoming everyone and getting them
settled into their camping spot and the horses in their stalls or corrals. We
were fortunate to have the best weather ever for this year’s ride. We had sunny
days and cool crisp nights with nary a sight of rain! We had riders from Illinois,
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Connecticut and Tennessee. The
MFTHBA administration was even represented with the presence of the Region 10 Representative,
Mr. John Brandreth. We had members show up as early as Monday the 7th,
while others stayed until Monday the 14th.
Throughout the week, we had several small groups
venturing out on rides of varying lengths and destinations. On Thursday, we
assembled almost 30 riders for a group picture to start the day. After starting
out together, we broke into two groups with the large group riding to Christian
Cemetery and the other group riding Proctor Ridge to the Teepee loop through
the Spruce Creek Area. On Friday, we gathered 44 riders for the picture to
start the morning and together we rode the yellow loop of the Ridge Top trail
Area. On Saturday, a hearty group of 24 long distance riders gathered, including
some friends from Spruce Creek, and rode a 26 mile loop via Darrow Rd, Christian
Cemetery, a portion of the O & W railroad bed trail, Laurel Fork Overlook,
Teepee Loop and Proctor Ridge. Needless to say a lot of tired riders missed
supper on Saturday.
Along with the trail riding, the fellowship that occurs
at our gatherings is outstanding. On Wednesday we had cake and ice cream for
Chris Moore’s 11th birthday. On Friday, Josh and Lee smoked Ribs,
Brisket, Chicken and Pulled Pork while everybody else brought dessert and side
dishes. I don’t think anybody went away hungry. On Saturday we had reservations
for 30 at 6:00 pm for Bacarra’s, but due to the length of the trail ride it
changed to 18 at 7:30. It was still a good time with great food and
conversation.
On Friday, the yearly organizational meeting for FoxTROT
took place. The majority of the officers were re-elected with Tania Herke being
the lone newbie in assuming the Treasurer’s position. The selection of base
camps for next year’s Eastern States National Trail Ride in June and the
FoxTROT National Trail Ride in October were discussed and voted on. We selected
Mammoth Cave Horse Camp in Kentucky for June and Bandy Creek in Big South Fork
for October. Negotiations and reconnaissance are currently underway with these
locations. Confirmed dates and locations will be announced as soon as possible.
The big hit of the Trail Ride other than the riding may
have been the Raffle which raised $425.00 for FoxTROT! Terry Messex had obtained a head stall donated
by Bedford Tack, while Sam & Debby Gerhardt obtained an oil skin horn bag
and a MFTHBA Trailer Decal (Large Scale). The lucky winner of these prizes was
John Brandreth.
We also had several 2 night and 2 stall gift certificates
donated from several of our campground sponsors and those lucky winners were:
True West - Kelly Collins
Timber Ridge - Earl Hughes
Big South Fork Lodge - Art
Moore
Saddle Valley - Sam Gerhardt
Many Cedars - Rose Walter
Scarlet Oak - Ronald Munn
Fom even more pictures like the FoxTROT page on Facebook!
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| 2013 Eastern States MFTHBA National Trail Ride |
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| Ready to Ride Thursday |
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| Ready to Ride Friday |
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| Mrs. Weaver, Earl Weaver, Rose Walter,Shirely Vicchito & Lea Valentine at Fiddler's Arch |
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| Sam and the Ohio Posse |
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| Lea, Tania and Rose at Laurel Creek |
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| Sandy, Gene, John B. and Johnnie |
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| Johnnie, Gene, Lea |
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| Sam and Surprize |
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| Ron Munn on Duke |
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| Lea Valentine |
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| Heidi |
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| Sam Gerhardt |
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| Rose Walter |
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| Ashlyn Herke |
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| Chris Moore |
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| Gayle Vautaw |
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| Leslie Bever |
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| Art Moore |
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| Mickey Walker |
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| Kevin Roberts |
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| Allen Herke |
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| Amanda Walker |
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| Gina Roberts |
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| Issac Russel |
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| John Brandreth |
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| Sandy Nix |
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| Johnnie Chester |
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| Debby Gerhardt |
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| Heidi |
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| Lea & Rose |
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| Karyn Case & Ashlyn at Hippie Cave |
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| Tania, Bill Case, Ashlyn & Karen at Hippie Cave |
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| Sam at Cowboy Church |
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