“Commander” Bob Swick introduced the scouts and junior scouts for the 2008 Chief Joseph Trail ride during the Sunday evening pre-ride chat. These are the folks who tend to the specifics each day on the trail. Scouts are spaced throughout the line to help with everything from equipment trouble to maintaining the pace. They are critical to the safety and overall management of the ride.
Horses enjoy the quiet of twilight before this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride. Although most seemed already accustomed to the picket line, I’m pretty sure being surrounded by tall, fresh grass was a bit of a tease. The gathering camp at Lolo Hot Springs, Montana, had the benefit of easy access just off Highway 12, yet it offered a peaceful and scenic spot for preparations.
The 2008 version of the Chief Joseph Trail Ride will begin on Monday, leaving the assembly camp at Lolo Hot Springs, Montana, and winding through the Bitterroot Valley and ending at the Bolin Ranch near Stevensville. Riders will probably start arriving on Saturday. The Sunday evening activities include an orientation for first-timers, a traditional native blessing and musical entertainment.
I’ll have further reports from the first day and (hopefully) Awards Night on Thursday. This is a “progressive” ride, with the camp moving daily. A caravan consisting of crew and private vehicles moves from one camp to the next while the riders are on the trail. It’s quite a logistical challenge under any conditions, but especially interesting when you consider all the supplies, food, feed and equipment needed for people and horses.
Participants have been cautioned that the first day’s ride is approximately 23 miles. I’m betting there will be stories told around the camp after that one! Stay tuned.
Don’t worry about your spell checking program, it’s really the Apalousey Trail Ride. This year’s ride, August 8-10, is the 11th annual all-breed fundraising event for the Appaloosa Museum. Held at the Pony Club Grounds on George Hatley’s ranch near Deary, Idaho, the benefit is popular with folks who enjoy riding through scenic country and/or those who may want to come just for the Dutch Oven Dinner. There will also be a silent auction, a performance by Idaho Old Time Fiddlers, wagon rides, and a bunch of other fun and mingling.
The cost for riders is $75, non-riders $30 and dinner guests $12. For more information contact the Appaloosa Museum at (208) 882-5578 x279 or visit www.appaloosamuseum.org.
This year’s Apache Land Trail Ride, the 25th, was staged in Western New Mexico near Gallup. Forests and meadows in the Zuni Mountains on the Cibola National Forest provided a scenic backdrop. The area’s cultural history is rich and riders were able to visit important sites ranging from cliff dwellings to sweat lodges to sawmills.
The Apache Land ride is one of four ApHC-sponsored rides and usually attracts participants from all walks of life and all parts of the country. An Appaloosa horse is not required, but having one reduces the risk of overnight spot applications by your “trail pals.” It’s obvious that lifelong friendships have been formed on this and other ApHC rides. If you’ve never been with us for a trail ride, give it some serious consideration. The enjoyment and stress-reduction benefits are worth more than a country club membership or bus tour.
A special thanks to JOANNA BRYANT for letting us use her photos. Although I managed to snap a few, most of what we’ve used here belong to Joanna.
Blue skies, the sweet aroma of pine trees and the company of good people made for pleasant days on last week’s Apache Land Trail Ride. Based at the Z Lazy B Guest Ranch in New Mexico, the ride included approximately 80 participants who came from 19 states.
Being the 25th Anniversary of the ride, some special awards, prizes and recognition were offered during the week. We’ve captured a few of those in other ALTR posts. I had the opportunity to ride with the group on Friday and enjoyed every minute of it. These folks are true ambassadors for the breed and help define the recreational category of horse ownership. Thanks to everyone for your support of this year’s ride.
These are the people who make it all happen on an ApHC-sponsored ride. The “crew” is responsible for everything but the weather. They literally scout the best trails, organize the riders and keep them safe, tend to the health of people and horses and share some really good stories. In the case of Hugh Williams, coordinator for the ride, there are countless other details, not the least of which is putting together an impressive collections of awards and prizes.
Left to right: Dr. Leon Self, Oklahoma - official trail ride veterinarian; Gene Latham, New Mexico - scout; Jeff Hoffman, Texas - scout; John Young, Texas - scout and personal valet; Kirk Knowlton, Texas - farrier and coordinator of pranks; Mike Howard, Texas - chief scout, emcee, storyteller, etc.; Dr. John Corpolongo, Oklahoma - official trail ride physician; and Hugh Williams, New Mexico - ride manager.
Thanks to these gentlemen for all their work and support. The 25th Anniversary Apache Land Trail Ride was truly a success and these guys get most of the credit. All the riders get a good dose of thanks as well for their significant investment of time, money and good will.
We need to shine the Appaloosa spotlight on some true veterans of the Apache Land Trail Ride. These folks have been involved from the beginning and share the distinction of participating in all 25 rides! Their brand of dedication is humbling and certainly worthy of our gratitude and congratulations.
Left to right: Al Maxey, Colorado; Cathy Benoit, Florida; Dr. John Corpolongo, Oklahoma - official trail doctor on this and all other ApHC-sponsored rides; Judy Haas, Arizona; Martha Howard and Mike Howard, Texas - Mike is chief scout, emcee, cheerleader, etc.
As you can guess, these people are long-time promoters of the Appaloosa breed and find numerous ways to support the efforts of the Club. “Thank you” doesn’t quite do the trick, but it’s a start.
Jeff and Kathleen Hoffman, Paradise, Texas, are regulars on the Apache Land Trail Ride. Jeff serves as a scout/wrangler for the ride (thus the red vest) and the pair of young retired folks always enjoy the company of old and new friends who participate. They also happen to be excellent dancers and all-around good people. We appreciate the fact that they continue to set a good example by riding Appaloosas that look good and know their way along the trail. Thanks Jeff and Kathleen for being loyal supporters of the Apache Land ride.
Absolutely the happiest person among Apache Land Trail Ride participants was and is Marge Anderson, winner of a drawing for a three-year-old Appaloosa filly generously donated by Mike Mataya. She’s shown here with Mike and Hugh Williams (left), ride manager. Mike is headquartered in nearby Thoreau, New Mexico, and is a long-time supporter and promoter of the Appaloosa breed.
Marge was on the ride with a group from the Wisconsin area to celebrate a friend’s birthday. In fact, it was her very first ApHC trail ride. Marge says, “I didn’t know how dumb I was to have missed doing this ride.” She happens to have a 23-year-old Appaloosa gelding (Bandit) at home, but he’s too old and out of shape for long rides. Marge says she’s been thinking she needed another horse. What a deal!
Regarding the Apache Land Trail Ride, Marge says “This has been one of the greatest adventures of my life – something that truly feeds my soul. Winning this filly has been the frosting on the cake. The generosity of Mike Mataya has stunned me. I cannot thank him enough.”
A native of Wisconsin, currently living in Pewaukee, Marge says she’s never lived more than 20 miles from where she was born. Her family traces back to pre-statehood days. She’s also spent most of her adult life avoiding the city, but she works there and commutes in plenty of traffic. As for her thoughts these days she says, “I need to get to the country – forever!”
One of the special features of the 25th Anniversary Apache Land Trail Ride was the prize drawing for a new saddle. Ride manager Hugh Williams presented the anniversary saddle to ApHC trail ride veteran Patricia McGlothlin, whose home is in Colorado.
The crowd was tense and excited as the name slips were stirred and a single chuck of paper was pulled from the hat (or was it a bowl?). Patricia’s eyes got very big and she literally jumped for joy.
A word of thanks to ApHC director Chuck McWhirter for his help in providing the saddle.
An important part of this year’s Apache Land Trail Ride was the opportunity to see and learn about native cultures that are so closely linked to this area of western New Mexico (near Gallup and Fort Wingate). Although I wasn’t along for the ride when this photo was taken, I’m guessing ride manager Hugh Williams is offering an explanation about the ruins and who lived there. Each day took the riders in a slightly different direction and through a variety of terrain and scenery.
The Apache Land Trail Ride is one of four ApHC-sponsored rides held each year. Anyone who enjoys exploring wide open country and the chance to mingle with like-minded horse enthusiasts is advised to make plans for next year.
Approximately 80 riders participated in the 25th Anniversary of the Apache Land Trail Ride last week. The Z Lazy B Guest Ranch served as headquarters for the “wagon wheel” ride. Each day featured different scenery and landscape, as well as some historic reference points related to various cultural groups which have called this region of New Mexico their home. Hugh Williams was the main man as ride manager, but he had a great support crew and a roster of folks who were determined to have an enjoyable week away from just about everything.
We were able to tour some amazing country on our scouting trip for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The Bitterroot Valley of Montana has long been one of my favorite places to visit, so it’s especially enjoyable to come back for a closer look at some of the less crowded parts of the area. This view is looking south from the “hills” above Stevensville.
In earlier posts I’ve issued an invitation for you to consider joining us on the 2008 CJTR. Though not an “extremely” rigorous trail this year, both you and your horse are advised to plan ahead and submit to some conditioning. Any time mountains are involved, there are laws of nature that say you will have plenty of uphill portions as well as the easier downhill stuff.
The ride starts at Lolo Hot Springs, offers some high country scenery, crosses the Bitterroot River and takes you through the foothills and mountains where the Nez Perce and those Lewis and Clark fellows traveled. You’ll get a feel for the history of the area and you’ll enjoy the comradeship of other Appaloosa enthusiasts. Check out details about the ride and find an application form by visiting the trail section of appaloosa.com. See you in July!
Robin Pedersen and Kevin Pullen check the map and evaluate potential campsites for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride through the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. Robin is a resident of Florence, Montana, and a veteran of several CJTR’s. She’s also valuable as our local ride manager because of her experience as a National Forest Service employee in the area.
Kevin is the ApHC coordinator for trail and distance riding programs. He likes to hit the trails in the areas around the Palouse and Lewiston-Clarkston valley when he manages to find some spare time.
For more information about the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, give Kevin a call at the ApHC office.
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