Do you have a favorite horse event, of the sort you wouldn’t think of missing? I do. For the last 15 years, without fail (since the whole thing started), I have saved one weekend in August for attending the campout trail ride that is a benefit for the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center in Moscow, Idaho.
Here’s why it is my Must-Attend event.
Like the Appaloosa Museum itself, it got its start thanks to the generosity of my mentor and friend, the late George B. Hatley. He provided the annual venue, at the private horse camp he developed at his ranch in Deary, Idaho. The camp has been used by area horse folks for 46 years.
This year, the Museum’s ride, once known as the Apalousey Ride, was renamed this year in his honor as the George B. Hatley Memorial Trail Ride. (‘Apalousey’ was a early-day term for Appaloosa horses, in use when George was a boy>))
All breed of horses are welcomed, and we’ve even had a mule or two over the years.
Area musicians set up in the evenings and fill the forested camp setting with great music.
With 75 permanent pipe corrals on site, horses have a safe and lovely place to stay.
The trail ride weekend is as much about food as it is about riding, and no one goes hungry!
The covered dining area is a super gathering place for like-minded horse friends.
The riders and campers enjoy great camaraderie.
I grow a huge sunflower garden each year, just to have flowers to decorate the grounds with.
After 15 years, some of the guests who were babes in arms in the early years (or who weren’t even born yet) are now among the riders.
You see all kinds of wonderful outfits and gear.
This rider went all out, wearing beaded buckskins, and even a long black wig with feathers, over his helmet.
Thanks to George, who was an avid Dutch oven cook, Saturday night’s meal centers around fabulous Dutch oven dishes.
An ACTHA competitive ride is part of the weekend, too.
Items from the Museum gift shop are available for souvenirs, and there’s a silent auction of interesting items as well.
One of these years, I hope you can join me. Second weekend of August–mark it on the 2013 calendar!
Horse & Rider's editor/associate publisher Juli Thorson covers a broad range of subjects of interest to Western riders--everything from trend reports and tips for managing your horse life to what's new in gear, tack and riding.
That looks like a lot of fun, Juli! I’ll have to add that to my horsey ‘to do’ list. That is, when I get a horse!
My event that I never miss is my hometown club’s Trail Horse Trials in Rockwood Ontario. Coming up mid September, it has been a tradition for the Club for many years.
This is the 50th anniversary of the Rockwood Trail Riders, a club my mother, Babs Ellis and her best friend, Di Duncan started 50 years ago! On myequinebff.com I will be adding stories written by club members. We published a book this year called Horse Tails, and those are the ones that I will add to my blog page.
Check out my website, thanks.