Horse Association & Trail Riders News MICMO, continued from learning to keep my horse still while I juggled a pen, paper and compass on horseback, to traversing mud and a stream, to confidently moving off trail into the woods. From the beginning, I imagined putting on an event, but was intimidated by the paperwork. I volunteered to manage the Kensington Metro Park ride this year because the original manager had to cancel because of her work schedule. I thought the paperwork was done. Well, it wasn’t. So, I made it through obtaining permission from the Metro Parks and straightening out the National organization insurance certificate to satisfy the Metro Park. Then I thought that I was home free to enjoy the pure bliss of setting out a course, finding curious, interesting and unique clues and natural hiding places for the plates. Again, I didn’t know what I was in for. Planning and setting the course was a lot of fun but there were many things to learn that only experience would teach me. The first day out we set about 1/3 of the course by horseback. The first thing I learned was to take better notes. I struggled to write out the clues and degrees at home from cryptic notes. I found that the plates were too close together and I couldn’t uniquely describe the clues in a sentence. Later, when I went out to check the plates, my friends and I couldn’t find two of them! I got better at it after that, but was still learning something new every day. I think that I will be a better competitor next year because of the experience. We checked and double checked readings. I ended up moving several plates for one reason or another. One week before the ride I had all plates set and the clues typed out. Just prior to the ride, I checked any plates especially at risk of blowing away, being removed by pedestrians or getting covered by leaves. Despite double checking plates after work within 3 days of the ride, ending with a flashlight at nightfall, there was that demon plate #22 that befuddled and delayed many a rider as it lay silently within a log, nearly completely covered by leaves from a last minute late fall rain and wind storm. And so, as a competitor, you are out in nature, with your horse facing challenges and surprises. If you have not tried Competitive Mounted Orienteering, I encourage you to do so.
Thank you to all the riders and friends who helped with the leg work, gave encouragement or tips and thank you to everyone who offered way more praise than criticism. Mary Greiner is a local family practice doctor who releases the stress of work by riding through the woods on horseback every chance that she gets.
ORTONVILLE RECREATION EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION (OREA) Welcome to 2017! As we head into the new year, OREA has two primary objectives: continue our membership growth and add mileage to our trail system. By joining us and helping our numbers grow, you demonstrate that the existence/ improvement of the equestrian park is important to equine enthusiasts in our immediate area and beyond. More miles to ride mean more riders and campers, also helping protect our access to quality riding venues in Southeastern Michigan. OREA has already begun the process of identifying and mapping more trails for DNR approval. Currently, you can enjoy 8.5 miles of riding in the primarily forested bridle trail system, as well as explore portions of Fox Lake and Tody Roads that are county minimum maintenance and traveled only infrequently by vehicle traffic. If you're new to the area or the park and would like to ride with someone, contact us at hadleyhills.com and let us know. Several of our board are regular riders at the park and would be happy to meet you and help you navigate the trails. Event dates planned for new year: Work Bee April 22 CMO May 13 & 14 Poker Ride May 27 Judged Trail Ride September 16 OREA is a 501c3 and welcomes all interested persons. Membership supports our work at the park. Applications can be printed directly from hadleyhills.com or requested by mail. Happy trails! Karen DeOrnellas, OREA President, 913-660-8012
©2017 C & C PUBLISHING, INC. • JANUARY 2017
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PROUD LAKE TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION Hello Everyone - HAPPY WINTER! We would like to thank everyone that has come out and ridden in our events this season. We are always thinking up new rides that we think everyone will enjoy. If you have any suggestions for future events, please let us know. Please mark your calendars for our annual banquet which will be Friday, February 17th at Bakers in Milford. We will have dinner, open bar and a silent auction. Doors open at 6pm and dinner will be served at 7pm. Our banquet always draws a large crowd, usually 100 plus…and it is a great way to get out and see your riding buddies. In 2017 we will have a Scavenger Hunt ride on May 21st, June 25th will be our Destination ride and finally, our Obstacle Course ride will be September 24th with Saturday night campouts and potlucks at all of the aforementioned rides. If you would like to be a part of our email list, you can get all of the latest details about our events by contacting Nancy Efrusy at Efrusy @yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to add you. The most exciting news of all is the addition of our new pavilion in the staging area. Please come by and check it out. We hope to see everyone soon and enjoy the beautiful weather on the trails!
SLEEPY HOLLOW TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION Mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting February 4th at Victor Township Hall, 6843 Alward Rd., Laingsburg, MI. This will be our 19th annual meeting, a fun filled potluck and donated horse item auction. Please help with hall set-up starting at 11:00 am, then social hour with Danny Crampton and friends playing cowboy tunes for us. This is the time to WWW.SADDLEUPMAG.COM