OKLAHOMA EQUESTRIAN TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION

Transcription

1 OKLAHOMA EQUESTRIAN TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION THE TRAILRIDER A U G U S T V O LU M E 3 9 N U M B E R 8 A PU B L I C AT I O N F O R T H E M E M B E R S O F O E T R A Labor Day Ride at Robbers Cave Here we come!! By Teri Wyatt It s time to make plans for our best and biggest blow-out of the year! Our club was established at Robbers Cave 39 years ago, and since then OETRA has had their annual club ride there. This year looks to be one of the best that we have ever had with cooler weather and lots of rain this summer, the trails, the creeks, and campground should be perfect. Friends, fellowship, riding, and of course the food are the highlights of the weekend. This is our biggest fund raiser of the year, so we sure hope you ll join us for this fun-filled event. Take a look at the Labor Day Ride schedule on page 3 we ve added a few new things this year. There will be a Naturalist Guided Tour and hayride on Friday night immediately after the Meet and Greet. Learn about the cave, native plants, geography, outlaws and legends. Sign up and pay when you register. The cost is $3.00 per person children under 5 are free. This same tour is posted on their Robbers Cave Facebook page and is going to be such a treat woo hoo!! Plus seven more sites with corrals woo hoo! How much better can your weekend get?! So mark your calendar, load up and get over to Robbers Cave for our best weekend of the entire year. Remember that the new membership drive Riders at last year s Labor Day Ride. Platter Flats Ride & Organizational Meeting Aug Platter Flats Campground is located on Lake Texoma in Oklahoma s Cross Timbers Region. The lake is said to be the Playground of the Southwest, where outdoor activities like fishing, boating, hiking and hunting abound. The campground is situated on the eastern side of Lake Texoma. The campground has 37 equestrian sites with hookups, and 20 equestrian sites without hookups. Recently several OETRA members trailered to Platter Flats for a weekend ride, met local riders, and decided that the trails could use some work. A few riders have been trying to keep the trails maintained, but need help. I ve had the pleasure of visiting with new member Jasper Ware on the phone, and he has eagerly volunteered to be Platter Flats ambassador. Jasper has visited with the park ranger, telling him how our club helps local riders become better organized under the stewardship of OETRA. Jasper would like for OETRA members to visit Platter Flats, and has set aside August for a ride, and a Meet and Greet Informational meeting after the potluck on Saturday night. He has graciously offered to feed campers catfish, calf fries, and fried taters at the Saturday potluck. All we need to do is bring side dishes and desserts! Friday, August 16th - Meet at Platter Flats campground. You can reserve a site or take an empty one when you arrive. There will probably be plenty of sites available this time of year. There are only 9 corrals available, 3 sets of three. However, I would suggest bringing your own electric fence is a year-long addition to our popular free camping prize awards. So invite your friends to come we ll make room for everyone. I sure hope to see you there! or tether line. Eat on your own or join another group for some fellowship. Be sure to meet new people and tell them about the great things OETRA does for other campgrounds. Saturday, August 17th - Ride in groups or on your own: 7:30 am - Early Birds ride; Gaited horses, led by Teri Wyatt. 8:30 am - Beat the Heat ride; Nongaited ride, led by Jasper Ware. 9:30 am - Late Sleepers ride; Any horse breed, led by local rider. Afternoon - riding on your own, swim at the lake, or visit nearby Durant. 6:30 pm - Potluck Dinner. Catfish, calf fries, and fried taters provided by Jasper. Bring side dishes and desserts. (Continued on page 3) By Teri Wyatt

2 2 OETRA PRESIDENT Teri Wyatt Edmond, OK VICE PRESIDENT David Smith Oologah, OK SECRETARY Larry Zeller Jones, OK TREASURER Julie Cameron Guthrie, OK DIRECTORS Phil Milliken Clever, MO Arvil Morgan Coweta, OK Janet Newport Eufaula, OK Jeanette Zeller Jones, OK NEWSLETTER EDITOR & WEBMASTER Terri Folks Edmond, OK HOSPITALITY Co-Chairs Lesa Ferster Lesa O Hair MEMBERSHIP Chair Dawna Graham PLEASURE RIDE CHAIRMAN Phil Milliken From the President - August 2013 What a difference a year makes. Each month before I begin my From the President I always read the previous year s newsletter. And guess what we were doing last year? This time last year, my family of three was in Colorado for vacation. Scott loved the area so much (and the temperatures) that we purchased a cabin there. This time last year, Daniel was headed off to his junior year in high school, with no cares or worries. This year he s a senior and already getting serious about what lies beyond high school. We ve been visiting several small colleges this summer, looking at their golf programs. He s excited about getting started with a new chapter in his life. Mom s not quite that excited. Wow, how times flies. This time last year, we had just started working on rewriting the by-laws and constitution. It was not an easy task, to say the least, but with David Smith, Larry Zeller, and Karen Woods help, we battled long s and internet research to find what worked best for this club. I can t tell you (again) what a tremendous favor Karen did for us. This time last year, I was positive I would run for president again. As you know, I am not running for re-election this next year, but I m very confident that this club will be in good hands, as Phil has offered to run for president. This lets me sleep at night, and honestly, I was a worry wart until he agreed. He has been a member longer than I have, and he truly loves this club. With Phil and Maggie as Cedar Lake s camp hosts, he will be in Oklahoma throughout most of the year. This time last year, we had just implemented the Ambassadors list for each campground/trail system that we want to steward and help promote. We started off with four - Robbers Cave, Cedar Lake, Arcadia Lake, and Kaw Lake. We saw what can happen at Robbers Cave for 39 years, and Cedar Lake after our fourth year there, OETRA President Teri Wyatt and Arcadia Lake for several years, and at Kaw Lake within a few short years. The determination of a hand full of people to help maintain their local trails and their efforts of working with park officials was a model of what could happen when OETRA members get involved. So we said, This can work at other places! As of this printing, we now have 20 members as Ambassadors at 21 locations throughout the state. This past month I just received a commitment from Jasper Ware, new member and local rider at Platter Flats! He was so excited to see the article about OETRA members showing up for a weekend ride there, and I am excited to have Jasper on board with promoting OE- TRA at Platter Flats. There is information in this month s newsletter (page 1) about a ride there in August, to promote some interest to help get Platter Flat s trails improved. I am very proud of this accomplishment, and our desire to cover the state of Oklahoma with OETRA members! This time last year, your BODs had voted to purchase more corrals, right before the Labor Day weekend bash. This year we are looking at purchasing more corrals, where the new sites are. So plan on coming to the Labor Day ride, because there will be seven more sites with corrals! This is going to take a large portion of our balance, but we know it s a project that this Board wants to see completed. (Continued to page 6)

3 Platter Flats Ride... (Continued from page 1) 7:00 pm - Informational Meeting. Jasper will share his plans for getting the trails improved, maintained, and developing more trails. Even if you re not a local rider near Platter Flats but have the weekend available, come down and ride! We need to show our support, get to know the people, and hopefully build a nucleus of OETRA membership there. This stewardship program that was created some four years ago has helped parks and trails across the state. I hope we can continue to build on this by getting Platter Flats - our most southern riding location - a boost! July 2013 OETRA Budget Report 7/1/2013 through 7/31/2013 Beginning Balance $9, INCOME Dues MBM Ride Event Fee Newsletter Ad EXPENSES Newsletter Postage Newsletter Printing Ending Balance $ Welcome New Members! Denise Classen Fairview, OK Nicky & Julie Yarbrough Talala, OK / Karil & Linda Walker Ninnekah, OK / REMINDER! The OETRA address has changed. We no longer have a PO Box. If you have old membership forms, please either discard them and print out new forms (available on the website) or mark out the old PO Box and write in the new address E. Simmons Road, Guthrie, OK Labor Day Ride Schedule *If you re coming earlier than Friday, call the park office to make a reservation, or show up and take a vacant spot. Names will be on campsites that have been reserved. PLEASE do not change sites unless you let the BOD s know so we can ask the park staff to take your name off the site so someone else can camp there. This was a very confusing and frustrating situation last year, and caused some contentiousness between late arrivers. PARKING and COGGINS - David Smith and Phil Milliken will help you find your reserved site (only available for Wed. & Thurs., beginning Friday through Saturday, no reservations are available), or a site that is available. They will check your Coggins upon arrival. Please have your papers ready for verification, or you will not be allowed to stay in camp. Robbers Cave Reservations: or Thursday 3:00-5:00 pm Early registration begins at the Pavilion. If you re at camp, this is your chance to get in line first! Friday 4:30-6:30 pm Registration begins at the pavilion. The cost is $20 per day for electric sites (except 17 & 18 that have sewer: $23), $10 for primitive. This ride is also a fund-raiser for our club and does have an event fee - $10 per member or $15 for non-members. $40/$60 cap for families of more than four. Kids under 12 are free. 6:30 pm Meet and Greet. Join us for a time of meeting old and new members, plus some details about the weekend s activities, including guided rides. Be sure to wear your bracelet during the festivities! There will be a short club meeting during this time. 7:30 pm Join us for an old-fashioned hay ride, filled with legends, folklore and fun facts about Robbers Cave and the Wilburton area. If you re a history buff, you won t want to miss this! Naturalist Ted Daniels will be giving the tour. Cost is $3 per person, and pay during registration before he arrives. You ll be given a ticket that you give him before you get on the trailer. Saturday 7-9 am Registration. All day Ride on your own or join a group. Our members usually go out in small groups, but designated guided ride leaders volunteer Friday night during the Meet and Greet, so plan on being ready to leave out on time if you re going with one of them. If you re new to Robbers Cave, please join a group. There are lots of trails, and you can easily get lost. One thing about OETRA members they re serious about leaving on time, so don t be late! 6 pm The world famous potluck Dinner! Join us for some great food by our wonderful members. Meat and drinks are provided by the club. You don t want to miss this! 7:30 pm Once the tables are cleaned and moved, it ll be time to start the dancing! Stay and hear David Smith be our MC for the evening, with some of the best C&W music provided. Sunday 8:30 am...church service at the pavilion. It s always a treat to be with fellow believers from all religions. Join us for a wonderful time of praise and worship. 9:30 am Poker Run Starts, meet at Pavilion. 3

4 2013 Pleasure Ride Calendar Phil Milliken, Chairman All Oklahoma Rides Require Negative Coggins Within 12 Months Please provide all calendar items for following month by the 15th. August Platter Flats Ride and Organizing Meeting, Lake Texoma, OK. See page 1 article for details. August 30-September 1 OETRA Labor Day Ride Robbers Cave. See front page of newsletter for details. Contact David Smith Sky3918Q@aol.com September 14 Cherokee Strip Ride Kaw Lake, Ponca City, OK. Contact Rick Boyd for RV reservations. See story on page 8 for details. 14 Trail Clean Up Lake Carl Blackwell, Stillwater, OK. Check LCB Equestrian Facebook page for details th Annual Spots are Hot Trail Ride & Clinic. World renowned horseman Craig Cameron will be conducting clinics during the Spots are Hot Trail Ride at Horse Heaven Ranch Resort in Talihina, OK. The clinic is for gaited & non-gaited horses. Limited horse/ rider spots available. To book a campsite or cabin, contact Elfie Horse Heaven Ranch com (254) or (918) For information contact Melisa nealstables@windstream.net or (405) OETRA Just For Fun ride Duncan Lake, Duncan, OK. Saturday night potluck dinner. No reservations available but more than 30 electric sites available, showerhouse. October 5 & 6 Indian Territory Ride and Tie, 8-mile and 25-mile, Lake Carl Blackwell near Stillwater, OK, contact Susan Young, Race Director, for flier, (918) , glenn218@ yahoo.com, 5 & 6 Indian Territory Endurance Ride, 15- mile Introductory Ride each day, 30-mile Limited Distance Ride each day, 55-mile Endurance Race each day, 100-mile Endurance Race Saturday, Lake Carl Blackwell near Stillwater, OK, contact Susan Young, Ride Man- ager, for flier; (918) , glenn218@ yahoo.com, OETRA GPS/Camping 101 Clinic Bell Cow Lake, Chandler, OK. Contact David Smith Sky3918Q@aol.com 26 Blaze s Haunt for the Horses Fall Trail Ride at Bell Cow Lake, Chandler, OK. Please come out and join us for Blaze s 4th annual fall benefit trail ride. Paid registration provides a t-shirt, lunch, trail fee, and the opportunity to win lots of great prizes. Make your camping reservations by calling the City of Chandler at For more info please call Leslie or Natalee November 1-3 OETRA Fall Color Ride Cedar Lake, Hodgen, OK. Chairs: Teri Wyatt tnwalkinghorsegirl@yahoo.com, Phil Milliken psmilliken@gmail.com Members only or join at the ride. More details to come. December 1 OETRA Annual Christmas Party & Meeting, Seminole Masonic Lodge (1729 Highway 9 W, Seminole), Cochairs Janene Harper & Betty Daily. The club will provide the meat, tea and paper goods. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. Silent Auction. New & Used Trailers Full Service on Most Trailers 4 Rezner Trailers 5540 S. 58th Street Duncan, OK Fax

5 Rainy Summer Trip Across the Central & Eastern U.S. by Jim and Mary Smith, OETRA Members Having ridden in all of the western states, we headed east to ride in new territory. Our first stop was at Slab Town Trail Rides near Roby, Missouri. This is a clean, convenient campground with pretty trails. It was dry when we arrived, but we left in the rain. It was still raining when we arrived at River Valley Lodge in Farmington, Iowa. We were very impressed with the covered pens and immaculate bathhouse, but we didn t get in much riding here because the Shimek State Forest trails were closed and the Des Moines River was flooding. From Iowa we went to Houston, Minnesota, to the Outback Ranch. This was a very peaceful campground with lots of trails, but once again the rain interfered with our riding. It rained each day and the trails had washed out and were muddy. Neither did we escape the rain in Wisconsin. We stayed at the End of the Trail Campground in Ontario for five rainy days. We enjoyed sightseeing while our horses stood in the barn and ate. The big farm houses and big barns on the hilly terrain were so different than our part of Oklahoma. We also liked watching the Amish traveling in their horse-drawn carts on the highways and enjoyed visiting an Amish farm where we purchased offbillets and braided reins. We did finally ride in Wisconsin at Kettle Moraine State Park. The trails were shaded and easy. Our next ride was in another state park, Potato Creek in North Liberty, Indiana. These trails were very similar to those in Wisconsin. The trails in the Waterloo Recreation Area in Michigan were wooded and hilly with easy switchbacks. Here we camped at Farmlane Campground near Grass Lake. The prettiest trails we rode on this trip were in the Hocking Hills area of Ohio. The trails started right out of Three Reasons Farms near Rockbridge where we camped. We rode right through the mud bogs and up and down slick, hilly trails to a beautiful box canyon with a high waterfall. We also saw airplane rock and other rock formations. The Greenbrier River Trail in West Virginia was a very pretty trail. Almost the entire trail (70 miles) goes beside the river. We enjoyed camping here at E. J. Cottages near Dunmore. After a month on the road, we arrived in Virginia. We camped at Fort Valley Ranch near Luray. The trails were muddy and rocky a bit higher than Cedar Lake, but not any prettier. We were excited when we saw a mother bear and her two cubs by the trail. We had never seen a cub in real life climb a tree. The gnats were terribly bad at camp, not just for the horses, but for us as well. We headed home a few days early, planning to relax at Village Creek Horse Camp in Arkansas. However, the horse flies were so bad, we only spent one night. We enjoyed the trip in spite of the rain and insects, but we plan to spend our future summers in the West. 5

6 President s Message... (Continued from page 2) This time last year we had a grantmatch from Tractor Supply, thanks to Julie Cameron s efforts, a Scooter to raffle, thanks to Ken and Wanda Christenson, and a Lonesome Dove wood engraved sign for the silent auction, thanks to Grant Hodges. We raised over $3,200 on these two donations and the silent auction. That was a nice addition to our balance, which gave us more money to spend on corrals, and other projects throughout the state. Morian Whaley, a very talented artist (and one of my former band students) has donated one of her paintings, which is pictured in this month s newsletter. It s a wonderful gift that she has given OETRA. But we need more items for the December Silent Auction. Please ask your local dealers/friends who might donate a new or slightly used item, or maybe you have something you could donate! This time last year it was very hot and very dry, and the board was hoping that we d have enough members show up for the Labor Day Ride weekend to at least pay for the event expenses. This year it s going to be a great weekend!! With the cooler weather and rainfall, it should prove to be one of the best rides we ve had! So mark your calendar, make a reservation if you come earlier than Friday, and load up and get over to Robbers Cave for our best weekend of the entire year. I sure hope to see you there! Happy Trails, Teri Spring Cleaning? Donate your new or gently used items to OETRA for our silent auction to be held at the Christmas Party. Contact Treasurer Julie Cameron to donate your items! Kaw Lake Cherokee Strip Ride Come join Kaw Lake Association for this wonderfully successful trail ride featuring entertainment and great food. In 2012, we had 127 riders. We will ride out in groups for about 2 hours for lunch, then those who want to ride back to camp will be led back to camp; however, a longer ride will be led out to see some more of this amazing equestrian trail. Pack your own Lunch. Campsites are on a first come, first serve basis Friday and Saturday night minimum, $18 per night. Day Ride fee is $15. Head Country Barbecue Dinner will be served Saturday night for $5 per plate. To reserve your campsite or to book your day ride registration (pre-registration is greatly appreciated since there will be 50 plus rigs pulling to the ride) please cherokeestrip2013@yahoo.com also indicate if you need a campsite or are just coming to day ride. OETRA Membership Application Membership is open to everyone! Calendar year dues are $20 for individuals or $25 for a family. Payments made after September 1 are good through the next calendar year. Additional donations are always welcomed. Mail checks to OETRA, 4900 E. Simmons Road, Guthrie, OK Please be sure and fill out the form entirely. If you will include your address, you can receive the newsletter online and will get the newsletter faster and eliminate the high costs of printing and postage. Most of OETRA funds from dues and fund raising are poured right back into Oklahoma s state trails system. Please check yes to publish contact information info if you want your information published in the annual membership directory (deadline March 15, 2013, published April 2013). Referred by Gift Membership purchased by Application Date *Publish Contact Info Yes No New Member Renewal Donation Enclosed Member Type Individual Family Home Phone First Name* Work Phone 1 Last Name* Work Phone 2 Riders Under 18 Cell Phone 1 Address 1* Cell Phone 2 Address 2 1 City* 2 State* *Monthly Newsletter Mail to Home Address Zip* *Emergency Contact *Required information *Contact Phone# *I do hereby release and hold harmless the Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association (OETRA) from any liability due to accidents, death, illness, or injury, to myself, my guest(s) or horse(s). Additionally, I authorize the OETRA to call for medical services and/or veterinarian services in case of emergency without incurring financial liability. Signature of member Date 6 I am interested in volunteering for these committees (please check all that apply): membership pleasure trail rides hospitality publicity/public relations clinics fund raising governmental relations

7 Trail Updates Arrowhead State Park, Eufaula Cheryl and Delbert Stanley have worked very hard on the trails at Arrowhead and I m happy to say, they are now ready for exploring. They have numbered the trails like Robbers Cave. The Stanley s have paid for the metal signs and marked all of the trails except 3 (my trail) She has made trail maps and they are at the office, or, check with the ranger and see if he has some in his truck when you check in. Or me and I have a copy I can you. I am riding in this heat to clean up trail 3 behind the golf course. I have received special permission to camp at Echo Ridge so I can get started early to beat the heat. If you would like to haul up one weekend to help, I will be setting a date soon. me at Sherry.PPGHA2013@yahoo.com, or text/call me at I think one week-end will get the trail done. There is one bad crossing across a creek that needs to be re-routed and I will make a visit there again to try and find a better spot. Once I get that done, we can finish this trail and they will be ready for riding this fall when the hunters have closed our trails. There is NO HUNTING at Arrowhead State Park. The Park is really happy that the equestrian riders are coming back and have missed us! They have put in picnic tables and water troughs on one of the trails and cleared the area so we can see the lake in the background. A nice lunch spot! The campground is nicely set up for riders, there are no reservations, it is first come-first serve, but due to the inactivity at the campground, it is rarely full. They want us to spread the word that Arrowhead is ready for riding! - Sherry Robinson Heyburn Lake Please help me get the word out to everyone you know who may want to ride at Heyburn. I ve had quite a few contact me asking about horse wa- Trail Reports continued on page 8. Miss Day at the end of the ride. She just finished getting a nice long drink from the water trough that the nice camp host, Pete, put near trail 3 at Echo Ridge campgound. There is water at the lake on the trail, but some horses, like Day, can be a little nervous of the boaters. ter at Heyburn. Dakota Allison, Park Ranger, says that the hydrant provided at the day lot is clean water, same water line that feeds the campground. Heyburn has tested high for Blue green algae, especially in the coves so I would discourage people allowing their horses to drink from the lake water at the current time. Our counts have dropped and I expect them to do so as the temperatures cool and rain increases. Hopefully the riding will increase once the temperatures cool off a bit, before you know it hunting season will be kicking off again (October 15) and people will lose access to all the good trails on the WMA. - Candy Wilhelm (More Trail Reports continued to page 8) OETRA Merchandise Order from Carolyn Black or catbalou0012@ yahoo.com. She has a new Facebook page with samples of her work and products. COOKBOOK! Take a few minutes and type up your recipe and it to Tammy at Tammyscreativephotography@yahoo.com. If you can take a photo of your food item, even better. You can also mail your recipes to PO Box 348, Inola, OK Equestrian Trail Ambassadors Arcadia Lake, Edmond Gill Barnett, painthorses@cox.net Arrowhead State Park, Eufaula Sherry Robinson, sherry.ppgha2013@yahoo.com Bell Cow Lake, Chandler Scott Nelson / Cedar Lake Equestrian Park, Ouachita Teri Wyatt, tnwalkinghorsegirl@yahoo.com Phil Milliken, psmilliken@gmail.com Duncan Lake, Duncan (Also Waurika Lake, Comanche Lake & Veterans Lake) Camellia Foster, camelliafoster@hughes.net Heyburn Lake, Kellyville Candy Wilhelm canwilhelm@firstam.com Kaw Lake, Ponca City Rick Boyd and Lori Young lori@loriyounglaw.com Lake Carl Blackwell, Stillwater Charlie Kaupke ckaup@sbcglobal.net Liberty Lake, Guthrie Julie Cameron, lazyjfarm@sbcglobal.net Meeker Lake, Meeker Nixie Coffman, nixiesfolly@aol.com Okmulgee Game Reserve Colleen Kizer, photosbycolleen@hotmail.com Oologah Lake, Oologah Merry Lovelace, merry.lovelace@yahoo.com Platter Flats, Kingston Jasper Ware Prague Lake, Prague Max and Nancy Neese, tuffeysmom@aol.com Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton PD and Lesa O-Hair PD Lesa eatupwithgait@yahoo.com Sportsman Lake, Seminole Deanna Hamilton, deannahamilton@ymail.com 7

8 Trail Reports Continued... Cedar Lake Great reports on Cedar Lake so far this summer. Pleasant morning rides and mild temps so far. Trails are in great shape and sites are available. Phil Milliken Arcadia Tracey Brauer rode Arcadia and said the trails were surprisingly good. The second parking lot and down by the water seem to be the worst. Do NOT ride the new loop yet. The Parks Staff have done lots of bobcat work. People need to take clippers and bags for trash and it should be back to normal in no time. Gill Barnett Okmulgee Game Reserve has been great trail riding! Saw about 6 horse trailers last sat but only saw 2 folks that we had a great ride with. Call or me and I can show anyone the trails that don t know them. - Colleen Keizer Bell Cow The Flat Rock Trail has been Ribboned with orange and white. The short cuts and side trails have blue and white ribbon.this is all thanks to Laurie Cox and Virginia Suydam. Sponsors have stepped up and made it possible to print the map and buy trail signs. Bell Cow is marking trail with ribbon. We are mixing white with red on the Red Bud Trail, white with orange on the Flat Rock Trail and blue with white on the cut offs and side trails. In the ceders, this seems to have worked best in the past. The color will fade in a couple years. We will just have to had colored ribbons to the faded clusters. Scott Nelson Prague We trimmed all of the Main Trail (pink) east out of the campground to the first picnic tables. Dale Goodnight was working the main trail with a dozer. It took us 3 hours to trim all overhanging limbs to the picnic table area, and then we rode back towards camp on the Dave and Carol Trail and trimmed all of it. We removed large branches on the Tom Trail and trimmed it also. We were joined for awhile on the trail by OETRA member Pamela Anderson and her friend, Sarah Brushia. We spent 5 1/2 hours on the trail total, and finally quit trimming on our way back because it was so warm and not any breeze in the trees. Spoke with Dale on July 7 and he said he had bulldozed as far as about point 19, which is the steep, sandy wash. He did get the Paul trail open. He said it had a lot of damage, about 20 big trees down on it. He spoke with some riders who had ridden all the way around the lake, but they did say when they got to the steep, sandy wash they got off and led their horses up to the top because it was very washed out. Dale said it is just about solid rock at this point, and may be dangerous, but he will work on it Tuesday. Most side trails still remain to be checked out. -Nancy Neece Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association 4900 E. Simmons Road Guthrie, OK August 2013 This beautiful artwork has been donated by OETRA member Morian Whaley as an OETRA fund raiser. See President s Column for details.