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

Friday, May 28, 2010

Spring Trail Ride at Circle E


Our VP, Lea Valentine, put together a great slide show from the Spring Trail Ride which is posted below. If you haven't taken a look, be sure to do so. Although it has taken me too long to make this post, I wanted to write a few lines.

The ride at Circle E Guest Ranch was unique in several ways. First, we had members to join us who have not been able to camp at our previous rides! Jaime Whiteaker and her trainer, John, brought 3 MFTs. They experienced what I call, "horse biscuits and butterflies". The "horse biscuits" was that Jaime's truck broke down on the long pull up the mountain on the way to camp. We were able to get the horses onto another trailer while she waited for a tow to the local Ford dealership. The "butterflies" was that Jaime and John were able to ride all week and enjoyed their time on the trail and around camp. Of course, getting the truck repaired and back to her was "butterflies"as well! Samara Riggins was able to camp with us, as well. She brought her dog, her rescue TWH (yes, we let her ride with our MFTs) and stayed in her new trailer. New FoxTROT members, Bob and Betty Wills, My wife's parents, also joined us. They came with one MFT and went home with two! They bought a 2 year old palomino gelding from Terry Messex. As Roy Rogers fans, they call him "Trigger". Of course the usual suspects were present, Terry Messex, Lea Valentine, The Crossville Bunch (Roger and Rhonda Wyatt, Freddie Whittenberg), and Deb and I. The second thing unique to the Spring Trail Ride was that this was our first organized ride at Circle E Guest Ranch. Last year we had to cancel out of Circle E because of the rainy weather. We were concerned about too wet trails again this year with all of the rain Nashville received. Fortunately, Circle E missed the rain and the trails were over all in good shape. You can ride at just about any preference level you like at Circle E. They have a great camp with lots of space. There are pics on the slide show posted below. Thirdly, the TWHBEA held an Extreme Cowboy Competition on Saturday. It was fun to watch the competitors navigate the osbstacles in the arena as shown in the photo. A young lady who won the Craig Cameron Extreme Cowboy Race was a competitor on her TWH black stallion. I think she placed second. We all had a wonderful time. I hope that all this info encourages you to come ride with FoxTROT so that you do not miss out!

Happy Trails,

Sam Gerhardt
President, FoxTROT

Friday, May 14, 2010

SPRING RIDE/FUN AT CIRCLE E

Our V.P., Lea Valentine, sent a fun link to some pictures of the FoxTrotters having a good time at Circle E.
Click on the link below. This will take you to where the pictures will load (while it is loading, click on "Full Screen" mode in the upper right hand corner). There is a short animated introduction, and then the FoxTrot pictures will start going.
The pictures will keep repeating, so when you are through viewing, you can just hit your "back arrow" on your address bar, and it will bring you back here.
Enjoy!!!!

http://smilebox.com/playEmail/4d5459334e5441334d7a46384d7a63774e5451344e7a673d0d0a&sb=1

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

"YEP, I DO RELATE"!

You need to read through into the "Rest of the Story" to get your "Yep, I Do Relate"!

WHAT OWNING A HORSE MEANS:

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.
When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.
When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.
When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.
When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion.
When you are tired, let me carry the load.
When you need to learn, let me teach you.
After all, I am your horse.

And now... The REST of the STORY!


When you are tense, let me teach you that there are dragons in the forest and we need to leave NOW!
When you are short-sighted, let me teach you to figure out where exactly in the 40 acres I am hiding.
When you are short-tempered, let me teach you how to slog around the pasture for an hour before you can catch me.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you that herbivores kick MUCH faster than omnivores.
When you are angry, let me teach you how well I can stand on my hind feet, because I don't FEEL like cantering on my right lead today, that's why.
When you are worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness, GI complaint and skin disease.
When you feel superior, let me teach you that, mostly, you are the maid service.
When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to PAY ATTENTION. I told you about those dragons in the forest.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you what 1200 lbs of yipee-yahoo-gotta-go horse can do when suitably inspired.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion. Let's do lunch. Breakfast and dinner sound good, too.
When you are tired, don't forget about the 600 lbs of grain that needs to be unloaded.
When you are feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of "veterinary services".
When you need to learn, hang around the barn, Bud, I'll learn ya.

ZENITH STABLES RIDE

















































































There was an abundance of fun this past weekend at Zenith Stables and riding in BSF.
Some members arrived on Thursday, and then Friday and Saturday. Lots of good riding, scenic adventures, smiling and laughing along the way. For a couple of the days, we shared the campgrounds with a bunch of "Mule People". Now, not to say anything against a good mule, except they are very vociferous, which is a good thing if you want to know if anything and anybody is coming into the campground.
I urge all of you to come and join us at any of the rides, being scheduled or not. We are there to help you in any way---from setting up your campsite to riding the trails--no matter your experience level. You will enjoy your ride, and you will not go away hungry---ohhhh, especially if the "Munn Family" is around. Man, they are set up to cook for a crowd, and do so very expertly.
This trip, we not only had the Munn's cooking, but Deb's Mom, Betty, was there to do her share of the "Meal Presentation" while Deb's 75 yr. young Dad rode out on the trails.
Have a favorite place to ride?? Let us know and we'll send it out to all the members. You never know who might show up!
M

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Trail Riding Season, 2010!















Greetings FoxTROT,


Now that the temperatures are warming and the days are longer, most of us will be getting in the saddle and on the trails more. It's time to clean up around the farm/ranch/barn, make sure that all equine vaccines and coggins are current, bathe and brush (and brush and brush and brush) the winter off the horses, and inspect the trailer (how are your tires?). Are you ready for trail riding season?


I'm excited about the 2010 season! Our FoxTROT Seasonal Rides have been coordinated with great events and we expect record participation at each. (Don't forget to make your reservations early at each camp this year.) There are several clinics available and the ACTHA has 4 Competitive Trail Competitions on the calendar in Tennessee. In addition, we will continue to keep you informed of "impromptu rides" that develop through out the year. (By the way, several of us are meeting at Zenith Stables to ride the Big South Fork, Thursday, 8 April through Sunday, 11 April.) If you would like to have other FoxTROT members join you on your week end or day rides, be sure to let us know when and where you plan to ride and we'll help get out the word. I'm really looking forward to riding with you this season!


Be sure to visit my personal blogspot at http://www.ridinghappytrails.blogspot.com/ for current trail riding photos and comments.


As always, please let us know how FoxTROT can be of help to you.


Happy Trails,


Sam Gerhardt

President, FoxTROT

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

RELAXED AND READY TO RIDE
















After James gave Doc Chery's MFT mare, "Miss Niki", his Total Equine Massage Therapy Treatment---she's ready to hop into the van and go for a ride(who needs a horse trailer!!!) Ahhh, such a good life!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

FoxTROT WINTER GATHERING, 2010




































































































































With approximately 35 people in attendance, the FoxTROT Winter Gathering at Catoosa Ridge Stables was a huge success! Some of us arrived on Friday and camped over. On Friday and Saturday, members who rode were bundled up so much it was hard to tell one person from the other but all said they really enjoyed their ride. I think I had the best deal staying in the kitchen and preparing the food. Let me say that Robbie Messex was a huge help to me in that department! And as good fortune has it, the manager of Catoosa, Gretta York, not only made us feel welcome in the kitchen, but helped us cook. What a deal! We had plenty of food, companionship and just good horse-talk amongst everyone. Sam did a great job with securing door prizes that consisted of tack and free nights at various horse campgrounds. Some members brought their slightly used tack to sell to anybody who was interested. Then to finish the afternoon, Jamie Whittaker's trainer, John, gave some pointers on "Foxtrotting". On Sunday, Cowboy Church was held, the stalls were cleaned and everyone was home bound with more good FoxTROT-related memories.

Moira