The Standardbred Connection - Nov 2015

TRAIL TALES: Jan Wolfin’s Shore to Shore Ride

By Jane Lutz Exploring new trails with your equine partner and friends is what draws many people to trail riding. The Michigan Shore to Shore is an incredibly scenic trail that runs between Lake Michigan in the west and Lake Huron in the east. It boasts the longest, continuous trail in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The trail has some great features including campgrounds, with wells and “privies” every 18 to 25 miles. The camps tend to be scenic, near lakes and rivers. This trail originally opened in 1963 for horses and hikers only, no bicycles. The trail is around 220 miles east/west and the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA), in conjuncture with local and state authorities, helps maintain the trail for hikers and horsemen.

Jan Wolfin has racked up an amazing set of accomplishments, having done the Shore to Shore 50 times! Wolfin partnered with a Standardbred, Mr. T, to complete the fiftieth trip.

Mr. T has been a safe and willing partner for Wolfin, racking up over 3,000 miles. Mr. T has faced traffic, bicycles, farm equipment and more with incredible good sense. He has also adapted to camping with little trouble.

Wolfin got into Standardbreds after a bad spill left her unable to ride for almost three years. Her husband and a friend built her a trail cart so she could enjoy horses, and Wolfin wisely decided “since I didn’t know how to drive, I should be a horse that does.” Her first Standardbred was a 25-year-old mare who was an Amish horse for a number of years. Jan describes the mare as safe and sane with a solid work ethic