Trail Mix · May, 2016 ITRA GOLD NUGGET CORP ORATE SPONSOR 1 INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC....
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Trail Mix The Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc. May, 2016 ITRA GOLD NUGGET CORP 1 INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Post Office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 Return Address Requested PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID NOBLESVILLE, IN PERMIT NO. 21 March 2016 ITRA Annual Meeting By John Allen Join or Renew ITRA USE THIS FORM – (Please Print) Membership renewal Due by Hoosier Horse Fair Name: ______________________________________ Spouse: _____________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City: _______________________St:____Zip:_______ Home Phone: ________________________________ Cell Phone: __________________________________ County: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ Referring Member: ____________________________ Family Membership $ 20.00 Association (Club) Membership $ 25.00 Lifetime Membership $250.00 Trail Guide (postage-1 per member) $ 3.00 Trail Guide 2016 has been published—good for 3 years until 2019. Trail Fund Donation Amount $_______ Newsletter by US Postal Service Do not send hard copy—will access Trail Mix on website Membership renewal due by Hoosier Horse Fair Indiana Trail Riders Mission Statement The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area. The Indiana Trail Riders are involved on the local, state, and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds. We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well as sponsoring and organizing workdays on several recreational properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well. The EDGe (Email discussion Group) is a wonderful FREE communication tool for ITRA members with an internet connection. Send a blank e-mail to [email protected] Subscription is free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Advertise in the Trail Mix---Full Page $100.00, Half Page $50.00, Quarter Page $25.00, Bus Card Size Ad. $15.00. May, 2016 Mail completed form with check payable to ITRA at: Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc. Post office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 Or use Paypal to renew on our website We’re on the Web at: www.intrailriders.org. ITRA BRONZE NUGGET CORPORATE SPONSOR ITRA TRAIL LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR MARK YOUR CALENDERS Nat’l. Trails Day Sat. June 4, 2016 Tippecanoe State Park Potato Creek State Park Salamonie State Forest, Salamonie Reservoir, Lost West Bridge Horseman’s Camp Strawtown Koteewi Park The 2016 Indiana Trail Riders Association (ITRA) annual meeting is in the books. First I would all like to thank Bob McPheeters for his time and efforts spent as President. His service will always be appreciated. Also thanks to everyone who made this meeting, meal and auction possible. It was a huge success and well attended. New members were signed up and welcomed to our organization. Private auction donations came in by the dozens. Kerlin Motors, Cowpokes, Indiana Quarter Horse Association and Orchard Country Store just to name a few were among the organizations that contributed items for the auction. As usual the food was plentiful. Fried chicken, ham and some barbeque was served along with a variety of salads and side dishes. The deserts were to die for and gone quickly. No one should have left hungry. The country store had several new items on display and sales were good. New t-shirts sold well. This year’s officers are John Allen, President, Jim Dellinger, Vice President, Arlene Smoot, Treasurer and Duane Davis, Secretary. The outgoing President, Bob McPheeters was presented with a gift certificate to Cowpokes, but it was joked that his wife Debbie would enjoy spending it. Newly elected directors are Bob McPheeters, Scotty Eskridge, Yvette Rollins, Rita Lockridge, Chris Riehl, Debbie Maschmeyer and Jim Tremain. Continuing to serve as director are Reed Records, Cindy Wyse, Larry Sidell, Lawrence Turnquist, Barb Ferguson, and Nancy Brunnemer. Greg Hersberger was again elected Chairman of the Board. The Midwest Equine Trail Foundation (METF) set up a display along with brochures. The Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to providing funding to equine groups in Indiana and surrounding states. Donations to the METF are tax free and can be designated for specific groups or projects. Members wanting to make larger tax free donations to the ITRA are encouraged to use the METF and designate ITRA as the recipient. As always, volunteers showed up early to set up and stayed late to clean and put away. A big thank you is due them for their efforts. As the new President, I enjoyed talking with members and was encouraged by their words of support. I hope to meet many more members as the year goes on.
Transcript of Trail Mix · May, 2016 ITRA GOLD NUGGET CORP ORATE SPONSOR 1 INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC....
Trail Mix The Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc.
May, 2016
ITRA GOLD NUGGET CORP
ORATE SPONSOR
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INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Post Office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340
Return Address Requested
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID NOBLESVILLE, IN PERMIT NO. 21
March 2016 ITRA Annual Meeting By John Allen
Join or Renew ITRA USE THIS FORM – (Please Print)
Membership renewal Due by Hoosier Horse Fair
Name: ______________________________________ Spouse: _____________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City: _______________________St:____Zip:_______ Home Phone: ________________________________ Cell Phone: __________________________________ County: _____________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ Referring Member: ____________________________
Family Membership $ 20.00 Association (Club) Membership $ 25.00 Lifetime Membership $250.00 Trail Guide (postage-1 per member) $ 3.00 Trail Guide 2016 has been published—good for 3 years until 2019. Trail Fund Donation Amount $_______ Newsletter by US Postal Service Do not send hard copy—will access Trail Mix on website
Membership renewal due by Hoosier Horse Fair
Indiana Trail Riders Mission Statement The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area. The Indiana Trail Riders are involved on the local, state, and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds. We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well as sponsoring and organizing workdays on several recreational properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well.
The EDGe (Email discussion Group) is a wonderful FREE communication tool for ITRA members with an internet connection. Send a blank e-mail to [email protected] Subscription is free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Advertise in the Trail Mix---Full Page $100.00, Half Page $50.00, Quarter Page $25.00, Bus Card Size Ad. $15.00. May, 2016
Mail completed form with check payable to ITRA at: Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc.
Post office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340
Or use Paypal to renew on our website
We’re on the Web at: www.intrailriders.org.
ITRA BRONZE NUGGET CORPORATE SPONSOR
ITRA TRAIL LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR
MARK YOUR CALENDERS Nat’l. Trails Day Sat. June 4, 2016
Tippecanoe State Park Potato Creek State Park Salamonie State Forest,
Salamonie Reservoir, Lost West Bridge Horseman’s Camp
Strawtown Koteewi Park
The 2016 Indiana Trail Riders Association (ITRA) annual meeting is in the books. First I would all like to thank Bob McPheeters for his time and efforts spent as President. His service will always be appreciated. Also thanks to everyone who made this meeting, meal and auction possible. It was a huge success and well attended. New members were signed up and welcomed to our organization.
Private auction donations came in by the dozens. Kerlin Motors, Cowpokes, Indiana Quarter Horse Association and Orchard Country Store just to name a few were among the organizations that contributed items for the auction.
As usual the food was plentiful. Fried chicken, ham and some barbeque was served along with a variety of salads and side dishes. The deserts were to die for and gone quickly. No one should have left hungry. The country store had several new items on display and sales were good. New t-shirts sold well.
This year’s officers are John Allen, President, Jim Dellinger, Vice President, Arlene Smoot, Treasurer and Duane Davis, Secretary. The outgoing President, Bob McPheeters was presented with a gift certificate to Cowpokes, but it was joked that his wife Debbie would enjoy spending it. Newly elected directors are Bob McPheeters, Scotty Eskridge, Yvette Rollins, Rita Lockridge, Chris Riehl, Debbie Maschmeyer and Jim Tremain. Continuing to serve as director are Reed Records, Cindy Wyse, Larry Sidell, Lawrence Turnquist, Barb Ferguson, and Nancy Brunnemer. Greg Hersberger was again elected Chairman of the Board.
The Midwest Equine Trail Foundation (METF) set up a display along with brochures. The Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to providing funding to equine groups in Indiana and surrounding states. Donations to the METF are tax free and can be designated for specific groups or projects. Members wanting to make larger tax free donations to the ITRA are encouraged to use the METF and designate ITRA as the recipient.
As always, volunteers showed up early to set up and stayed late to clean and put away. A big thank you is due them for their efforts. As the new President, I enjoyed talking with members and was encouraged by their words of support. I hope to meet many more members as the year goes on.
President John Allen 9825 South 100 East Clayton., IN 46118 317-539-4326 [email protected]
Vice President Jim Dellinger 1007 Central Ave. Frankfort, IN 46041 765-659-2922
Treasurer Arlene Smoot 2532 West 200 South Danville, IN 46122 317-745-2976 [email protected]
Secretary Duane Davis 9098 W 1000 S Losantville, IN 47358 765-238-0746 [email protected]
Greg Hersberger (Chairman) ‘17 4962 South 250 West Portland, IN 47374 260-729-1208 [email protected]
Karen Humphreys ‘18 3419 North 425 East Danville, IN 46122 317-892-3769 [email protected]
Reed Records ‘18 3980 St Rd 45 Nashville, IN 47448 812-345-2882 [email protected]
Jim Tremain ‘17 PO Box 502136 Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-833-6189 [email protected]
Nancy Brunnemer ‘17 7178 North 500 West McCordsville, IN 46055 317-443-8771 [email protected]
Rita Lockridge ‘19 7010 East 300 North Lafayette, In 47905 765-714-5019 [email protected]
Chris Riehl ‘19 3158 E. 200 S Dillsboro, IN 47018 812-320-7818 [email protected]
Lawrence Turnquist ‘18 12005 Parrish St. Cedar Lake, IN 46303 219 374-5370 [email protected]
Scotty Eskridge ‘19 P. O. Box 234 Knox, 46534 574-896-5159
Debbie Maschmeyer '19 507 Henryville-Bluelick Rd. Henryville, IN 47126 502-931-6221 [email protected]
Yvette Rollins ‘19 12784 E. Rollins Lane Springville, IN 47462 812-797-4540 [email protected]
Cindy Wyse ‘17 1993 West 750 South Trafalgar, IN 46181 317-503-1690 [email protected]
Barb Ferguson ‘18 2430 S. Glenn Lane Salem, IN 47167 812-967-3161 [email protected]
Bob McPheeters ‘19 27799 North 100 West Anderson, IN 46011 765-683-0665 [email protected]
Larry Sidell ‘17 273 East 1200 North Batesville, In 47006 812-934-4086 [email protected]
Membership Chairperson Bonnie Miller 8181 W. 100 S Farmland, IN 47340 765-468-6716 [email protected]
ITRA Web Site Administrator Donald Lockridge 7010 East 300 North Lafayette, IN 47905 765-714-5021 [email protected]
Trail Mix Editor Mary Williams 14978 East 191st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 765-534-5192 [email protected]
Trail Guide Editor John Allen 9825 South 100 East Clayton, IN 46118 317-539-4326 [email protected]
The Indiana Trail Riders *STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association…is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area.
The ITRA is involved on local, state and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds.
We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well we sponsoring and organization workdays on several recreational
properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well.
The corporate address is Post Office Box 185, Farmland, Indiana 47340.
The corporate address is Post Office Box 185, Farmland, Indiana 47340.
ITRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ITRA APPOINTED POSITIONS
This Trail Mix Newsletter is the Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association. It is published six times a year in odd
numbered months. Editorial material, photos, and notices of upcoming events should be submitted to
[email protected] or mailed to Mary Williams 14978 East 191st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 by the 10th of even months.
ITRA Calendar
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ITRA OFFICERS - 2014
Discount
Copies
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100 Mensa Drive * Noblesville, IN 46062
(317)-773-8783 * Fax (317)773-9050
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:30 * Sat 10:00 to 3:00
Email: [email protected]
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Wells 5 Star Pads ~ Bar F
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June 4, 2016
National Trails Day
Tippecanoe State Park Contact Scotty Eskridge: 574-896-5159
Hamilton County, IN
Strawtown Koteewi Park Trail clean-up from 9 am-2 pm. Tail-gate pitch-in lunch. Meet in horse parking. Contact Mary Williams: 765-534-5192 [email protected]
November 24-27, 2016
June 4, 2016
September 16-18, 2016
MTR Norman, Indiana
ITRA Fall Ride For reservations Contact Midwest Trail Ride for camping reservations at 812-834-6686 or www.MidwestTraiRide.com.
November 21-27, 2016 October 29, 2016
Tippecanoe State Park
Tippecanoe Fall Ride Chili and ham & bean supper. Contact Scotty Eskridge 317-896-5159 for information.
Fall Clean up
O’Bannon State Park Contact Greg Hershberger: 260-729-
1208, [email protected]
Fall Clean Up
Brown Co. State Park Contact John Allen: 317-539-4326 [email protected]
June 4, 2016
Potato Creek St. Pk. Contact Jody Weldy 574-875-1469 [email protected]
July 8, 9, 2016
Raleigh, North Carolina Nat’l. Equine Trails Conference
Contact Yvette Rollins [email protected]
June 4, 2016
National Trails Day
Salamonie State Forest, Salamonie Reservoir, Lost West Bridge
Horseman’s Camp End of workday pitch-in 7:00 pm LWB campground shelter house. Contact: Greg Hersberger 260-729-1208 [email protected] Bob McPheeters 765-683-0665 [email protected]
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Midwest Equine Trail Foundation
Contact Chris Riehl For Contributions and Grants
at Midwest Equine Trail Foundation
3158 E. 200 S Dillsboro, IN 47018
Bruce and I are heading up the clean-up at Potato Creek on Saturday, June 4, which is National Trails Day. As in the past, the property manager there gives us Saturday night’s camping free if you pay for Friday night’s camping. Some trail riders come and camp on Friday night and we generally gather around our campfire and enjoy an evening of fellowship with the main topic being trail riding. On Saturday morning we try and get going around 9 o’clock. For the past several years our main duty is to trim back the trails, which we usually do on our horses and pick up trash. So bring your trash pokers and a good set of pruning shears or long handled loppers and come join in on the fun. We usually are done by noon and have a pitch-in lunch at one. I will supply the meat and drinks and everyone else brings another dish. No one has ever left hungry! After lunch most of us saddle up again and head out and just enjoy a nice ride on now, newly trimmed trails. You can call me at 574-875-1469 or 574-370-1170 or e-mail me at [email protected] Don’t make reservations a head of time because then you won’t get your free night, and don’t worry there will be lots of camp sites to choose from. Hope to see lots of folks on June 4th!
Clean-up at Potato Creek on Saturday, June 4, 2016
By Jody Weldy
A Message from
Our President John Allen
Unlike many of you who chose to make your annual new year’s resolution in January, I like to wait for spring. It just seems to be a better time for me to think about new beginnings. The birds are singing, the flowers are starting to bloom and there are buds on the trees. But most of all what I like about spring is that it is finally warm. I am a hibernator at heart and cold weather just makes it worse.
Now that the horses are starting to shed their coats and the grass is green I start to look around at what I did or did not accomplish last year and what I want to do vs. what I have to do in the coming warm weather. Repairs to the house, limbs in the yard and loose stall boards are all “have to do” items. But this year I am moving one of my “want to do” items to my “have to do” list. So I am writing this in the hopes that I can convince other trail riders to move one of their “want to do’s” to their “have to do” list. What is it you ask! It’s horse trail volunteer work. In the past few years there has been a growing challenge to what those who came before us accomplished. Indiana parks and forest horse trails are in danger of being taken away from us. To help stop this real loss of trail miles I HAVE to work on horse trail projects. It takes spreading the word along with picks and shovels to make a difference.
I am aware we have all heard about those two wheeled villains who want to take over the horse trails. Yes, those same trails that have been around for as long as many of us can remember. Well, the truth is I don’t blame them for coveting our work. There is a generation of folks out there that have been given everything, why shouldn’t horse trails be included in that list? One of their arguments is that we’re not using them so why not let the two wheelers on them. On the surface that sounds fair enough to the casual observer. Con’t pg. 4
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John Allen’s Message Continued from page 3
By the Light of the Moon By Pastor Dean
The trail riding enthusiasts don’t have the participants the mountain bikers have. We are woefully outnumbered and have fewer riders and volunteers. As a result we have fewer funds and time available to put into trail work, but does this mean we aren’t entitled to the trails we and our predecessors built? Not in my book it doesn’t! Those trails were built with horses in mind and should be kept as horse trails. Anyone who tells you different wants a “free ride”. I think that if you want something bad enough you should work for it, not take it. The mountain bikers are building new trails throughout the state and I have no issues with those trails and on those trails are where they should stay.
Another argument I hear is that bicycles and horses can share the trails peacefully………..I’ll wait until you stop laughing before I continue. ….As anyone whose horse has been spooked by a bicycle knows this idea is a non-starter. It is not even the idea that a rider should be able to control their mount before attempting shared trails as it is about who is on those trails. Families are on those trails! Also, a rider going at literally break neck speed looking only at their front wheel for the next jump has no business sharing a trail with a child rider of any age especially if the trail was built for horses, not for racing dare devils. Trail riding is a family tradition for all to enjoy. Worrying about who is over that next hill and how fast they are going should not be a concern. Families wanting a little more excitement can go to any National Forest where the bikes and horses share trails.
So as I sit here contemplating my age spots, I realize I am not the youngest chick in the coup, so I am not going to say I will see you all out on the trails with a shovel in hand. But I will do what I can. I can get out there and ride our state park and state forest trails. Remember too that Rails-to-Trails which currently allow horses have come under fire by hikers and bikers who want us off those trails as well. Just by being on those trails we are claiming them as our own. I also can remind mountain bike folks and our DNR folks that our young people are missing out on the vital experience of making their own way in life and should not take the work of others for their own benefit. I can remind the cyclists that possibly someday they may want to have a safe “family” horse experience and the horse trails will be there for them when their little ones say “Daddy, I want a pony”.
Giddy Up Gals Git-A-Way Weekend
May 20-22, 2016 Ride the Charles Deam
Wilderness and camp with a great group of ladies at Blackwell Horse camp e-mail for questions:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Saturday Dinner at 6 PM at the Shelter House: Pitch-in Supper (please bring a generous food item and your own table ware and drink
Saturday at 7 PM at the grassy area next to the Shelter House: Get acquainted time and “shopping”; bring your lawn chair and if you want to participate a $15 gift (camping, horse or gal type gift).
Sunday Worship at 8AM at the Shelter House: We will have a 30 minute worship service with choruses and an inspirational speaker.
And my last point, “Money makes the world go round”. Although I am a life member of ITRA I always try to contribute the annual $20 dues each year and if possible a little more. It’s a way to move something from my “want to do” list to my “have to do” list. I know that the extra $20 dollars will be put to use on our state park and state forest horse trails. I can’t always be out there with a shovel, but I can help purchase trail supplies for those who can be. It’s just something I have to do to help save our horse trails. Until next time, good weather and great trails. John Allen, President
April and I have always loved to ride horses in the moonlight. One particular morning I remember waking at 4:00 a.m., and as I was laying there I look out our window. I see the moon, but it is behind the clouds but it is still shining thru. The clouds are moving pretty fast toward the south. But what I see is the moon. I notice the clouds are thick and together. But as they move along there are sometimes dark clouds that almost cover the light of the moon, but it’s still there. And sometimes the clouds are so light they become transparent and the Light of the Moon comes shining thru bright and clear.
I guess that is how we reflect Jesus. When we are in his will and do the things that he wants us to do, we reflect the Light of Jesus! But when we allow sin to come in, the dark clouds of doubt, fear, lust, greed, hate, and so on, then the light is behind us but not shining like it should. Let’s let Jesus shine all through us and be the light to the world!
John 8:12: Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Pastor Dean Manuel Horseman's Camp Christian Outreach
Pastor Dean Manuel Horseman's Camp Christian Outreach 7595 Bob Allen Road Freetown, Indiana 47235 Pastor Dean Manuel 812-345-1642 cell [email protected] HCCO Horseman's camp Facebook
Trail Tales By Calamity Jane
I'm sittin' here having my fourth or fifth cup of coffee 'cos the durn weather is so bad outside and I can't get any horse rid so I'm just drownin' myself in coffee. I guess I could give my saddle a good cleaning and oiling and I do have a brand new headstall I need to put on but it sure is hard to get motivated when it's so wet and cold out. I'm sure the tails are gonna be a mess this spring what with all this rain and winter storms, hope them Indiana Trail Riders can get a lot done at their spring cleanup. Those chain saw gangs sure do a wonderful job packin' out their saws and oil and gas to clear all the trails of downed trees. Then there's them other folks who take their can pokers and trash bags with them and pick up all the trash that riders, I sure as heck won't call them Trail Riders, 'cos a real trail rider wouldn't trash the trails like that. Hopin' to see a lot of you folks out on the trail this year! Trail Tales
Over the years as I stood around ITRA campfires I have heard many horse camping tales. Some of them funny, some sad, and some were hilariously tall. In the coming year we would like to feature a few of those campfire tales in the Trail Mix. We will try to publish as many as we can. The authors of any that do not make it into the Trail Mix will be given the opportunity to read them at an ITRA social gathering later in the year. There is no requirement the stories take place in Indiana only that they are horse camping related. Please send them in an electronic format to Mary Williams at [email protected]
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Good on regular priced and in stock items only.
Offer expires December, 2016.
ITRA at Work
Capturing Memories From ITRA’s Annual Meeting
John Allen, 2016 President, Bob McPheeters, past President.
ITRA Board Members.
Karen Humphries and Mary Williams
Arlene Smoot with friends.
A very small portion of our silent auction. ...items.
Hillary Brunnemer with Georgia Ballinger
at ITRA’s Country Store.
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ITRA at Work
Trail Guides
New Trail Guides will be sent as soon
as they are ready from the printer.
We will mail them as soon as
possible.
Cleaning Trails at Clark State Forest And Deam Lake
By Debbie Maschmeyer
I got together with Mike Cole who has taken on the job of using his chainsaw seriously to keep the trails open at Clark State Forest and Deam Lake. He retired from the county road department a few years ago as well as being a farrier graduating from the Oklahoma Farrier School. At the end of March he and I met at Clark State Forest near Deam Lake to cut trees which were across the fire road off of Tree Lane. Including the 3 hill trail, we picked up trash along the way. One of trees were across the trail on one of the hills. Mike assessed the tree. Made his cuts, and we watched as the log rolled to the spot he wanted it to rest. He talked about how the log would help prevent any more erosion on this part of the trail.
We spoke of how much we like preserving our trails for us and our kids and grandkids.
Mike Cole cleaning trails.
The Indiana Trail Riders' booth was a huge success this year. We signed up 69 new members! I found that all I really had to do was show them the Trail Guide that came with membership and that alone sold the membership.
We also had 85 members renew and got two new Lifetime members.
We had plenty of help manning the booth all three days. The crowd did not seem all that large this year and you could tell when the big name clinicians were on because then the crowds disappeared altogether.
This year the DNR sold Bridle Tags all three days. I don't know the total amount they sold but they all seemed busy the whole time. I know I bought mine!
Many people would come up to our booth and have tons of questions about trails and campgrounds. I'm pretty sure most of them got good answers from us.
All in all it was a very successful Hoosier Horse Fair!
A BIG THANK YOU to all who stopped by our booth and supported us!! See ya on the trails.
Hoosier Horse Fair a Big Success for ITRA By Jody Weldy
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ITRA on the Trail
Lynne Voigt, Linda Vogt. Ramonette Dugan.
Lynne V., and Sharon C. cleaning
debris from culvert.
Mike S., Jim T. and
Phyllis in truck, Karen H.
and Sharon C. standing.
Fourteen hard working riders showed up March 26 to help clean up the Vandalia trail. We split up into groups to speed the work and it worked. We got the culverts cleaned, the rocks rolled off the crossing, the branches and trees off the trail and sticky, thorny stems cut back so it doesn't scratch the horses and riders. Greg Midgley even cut down a dead tree that was becoming a serious hazard. After it was cut down, we discovered a little mouse was living in the trunk. Of course, we had to go out to eat after the work. Beautiful day for a clean-up.
Thanks to all who helped.
Vandalia Trail Clean-Up
By Karen Humphreys
Kathy Ferguson, Sharon Capper and Lynne Voigt.
Sharon Capper, Greg Midgley, Jim Tremain and Laurie Johnston.
Jim Tremain, new director for ITRA.
John Allen, Amee Fisher, Ramonette.
Dugan
Sharon Capper, Greg Midgley. Jim Tremain and Laurie
........Johnston
ITRA at Work
Of course, as mentioned in a previous article, Brown County State Park and O'Bannon State Park are both "must do" riding destinations in Indiana. Both are wonderful, beautiful campgrounds and trails.
Hoosier National Forest also has several amazing campgrounds that would make a great week long vacation with over 100 miles of horse trails. Three campgrounds stand out to me. The first is Midwest Trail Rides. It is outside Norman, Indiana and has many amenities which include their Outpost Western Store, 108 level electric sites, 13 cabins, 365 horse stalls, a dump station, covered stalls close to your camping site, well maintained trails, open camping, optional meal packages on holidays, special weekends like Derby Weekend and Wine Festival Weekend, Rusty Spur dining hall and a bathhouse with new hot and cold plumbing. Cowboy church is available on Sundays. For more info call Midwest at 812-834-6686.
Also in Hoosier National Forest is Hoosier Horse Camp. It is on the other opposite side of the Hoosier National trail system. It also has beautiful, well maintained trails. There would be a short road ride, but very little traffic, to the trail heads. The amenities there include electric and water, 50 seasonal sites and 29 nightly sites with acres of primitive camping, full menu restaurant that also offers handmade pizzas and Saturday night specials whether you are a camper or not. Future plans include 30 additional seasonal sites for 2017 and an eventing arena for 2018 for shows, events and clinics. Contact Tim at 812-621-0051 for additional info.
The third suggested campground is Harden's Camp Tennessee Indiana. This campground is down the road from Hoosier Horse Camp. Trails are beautiful and well maintained. Amenities in this campground include 10 large electric and water sites with graveled pads, overnight highlines for horses or rent a panel pen, no stallions, can rent to large groups. Future plans hopefully include a dump station, covered stalls and showers. Horse riders can ride to Hickory Grove Church starting in May for 10:00 a.m. church services. For more info contact Bobbie at 812-236-9695.
I can't stress enough how well Hoosier National Forest trails continue to be in great shape. A lot of time and effort is obvious and you can thank the Hoosier National Forest rangers and the Back Country Horsemen.
Best of Indiana in a Week Continued By Nancy Brunnemer
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