INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Post Office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 Return Address Requested PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID NOBLESVILLE, IN PERMIT NO. 21 Trail Mix The Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc. July, 2016 Join or Renew ITRA USE THIS FORM (Please Print) Membership renewal Due by Hoosier Horse Fair Name: Spouse: Address: City: St: Zip: Home Phone: Cell Phone: County: Email: Referring Member: Family Membership $ 20.00 Association (Club) Membership $ 25.00 Lifetime Membership $250.00 Trail Guide (postage-1 per member) $ 3.00 Trail Guide 2016 has been published good for 3 years until 2019. Trail Fund Donation Amount $ Newsletter by US Postal Service Do not send hard copy will access Trail Mix on website Membership renewal due by Hoosier Horse Fair Indiana Trail Riders Mission Statement The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area. The Indiana Trail Riders are involved on the local, state, and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds. We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well as sponsoring and organizing workdays on several recreational properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well. Mail completed form with check payable to ITRA at: Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc. Post office Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 Or use Paypal to renew on our website We re on the Web at: www.intrailriders.org. The EDGe (Email discussion Group) is a wonderful FREE communication tool for ITRA members with an internet connection. Send a blank e-mail to IndianaTrailRiders-subscribe@egroups.com Subscription is free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Advertise in the Trail Mix---Full Page $100.00, Half Page $50.00, Quarter Page $25.00, Bus Card Size Ad. $15.00. July, 2016 ITRA GOLD NUGGET CORP ITRA BRONZE NUGGET CORPORATE SPONSOR ITRA TRAIL LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR MARK YOUR CALENDERS IQHA Trail Ride Deam Lake Sept. 9-11, 2016 ITRA Fall Ride at MTR Sept. 16-18, 2016 WELL IT S ABOUT TIME. Versailles State Park Horseman s Camp is now OPEN!!! YES I SAID OPEN. It s primitive with 9 sites that are huge and nicely spread out, temporary hitch rails, water that is centrally located as a frostless hydrant and a rented porta-john for the necessities of life. Warning: the privy is on one end of camp, and if you re on the wrong end don t wait too long. Then in a few weeks; we ll get the electric put in to each site, permanent hitch rails and 4 concrete (so they don t end up tore up) manure bins. Then, if money allows we intend to get water to as many sites as funds allow. As for reservations???? For now the DNR says it s first come, first served. BUT, I would call the park office to check availability at 812-689-6424 For questions or more info call me; 812-525-1274. Thanks n HAPPY TRAILS, Larry Sidell It started and finished with Ron McCoy and Larry Sidell s (pictured at right) uncountable hours of hard work to see their vision become a reality for all of us to enjoy. 1
President John Allen 9825 South 100 East Clayton., IN 46118 317-539-4326 carriageboy@hotmail.com Greg Hersberger (Chairman) 17 4962 South 250 West Portland, IN 47374 260-729-1208 itra.greg@gmail.com Nancy Brunnemer 17 7178 North 500 West McCordsville, IN 46055 317-443-8771 toby2thor1@hotmail.com Scotty Eskridge 19 P. O. Box 234 Knox, 46534 574-896-5159 The Indiana Trail Riders *STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of the Indiana Trail Riders Association is to promote trail riding and equine activities in Indiana and the surrounding area. The ITRA is involved on local, state and national levels striving to promote and improve trails and campgrounds. We work actively on the legislative and administrative levels as well we sponsoring and organization workdays on several recreational properties in the hope that the natural beauty we have enjoyed on horseback will be available for future generations as well. The corporate address is Post Office Box 185, Farmland, Indiana 47340. Vice President Jim Dellinger 1007 Central Ave. Frankfort, IN 46041 765-659-2922 Karen Humphreys 18 3419 North 425 East Danville, IN 46122 317-892-3769 kkh923@aol.com Rita Lockridge 19 7010 East 300 North Lafayette, In 47905 765-714-5019 rita@bg-sc.com Debbie Maschmeyer '19 507 Henryville-Bluelick Rd. Henryville, IN 47126 502-931-6221 debmaschmeyer@aol.com ITRA OFFICERS - 2014 Treasurer Arlene Smoot 2532 West 200 South Danville, IN 46122 317-745-2976 wonderlostacres@aol.com ITRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Reed Records 18 3980 St Rd 45 Nashville, IN 47448 812-345-2882 reedrecords@yahoo.com Chris Riehl 19 3158 E. 200 S Dillsboro, IN 47018 812-320-7818 top4653cat@aol.com Yvette Rollins 19 12784 E. Rollins Lane Springville, IN 47462 812-797-4540 hoosierhorsemen@yahoo.com Secretary Duane Davis 9098 W 1000 S Losantville, IN 47358 765-238-0746 duanedavis044@gmail.com Jim Tremain 17 PO Box 502136 Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-833-6189 Jimmy911@aol.com Lawrence Turnquist 18 12005 Parrish St. Cedar Lake, IN 46303 219 374-5370 lwt41sr@yahoo.com Cindy Wyse 17 1993 West 750 South Trafalgar, IN 46181 317-503-1690 Carousel7555@hotmail.com ITRA Calendar July 8, 9, 2016 Raleigh, North Carolina Nat l. Equine Trails Conference Contact Yvette Rollins hoosierhorsemen@yahoo.com October 29, 2016 Tippecanoe State Park Tippecanoe Fall Ride Chili and ham & bean supper. Contact Scotty Eskridge 317-896-5159 for information. September 9-11, 2016 Deam Lake Recreation Area IQHA AQHA Charity Trail Ride All breeds welcome! Contact: Suzanne Walters, IQHA Trail Ride Coordinator: 812-825-9339, 812-322-6549 suz.walters.sw@gmail.com November 21-27, 2016 Fall Clean up O Bannon State Park Contact Greg Hershberger: 260-729- 1208, itra.greg@gmail.com September 16-18, 2016 MTR Norman, Indiana ITRA Fall Ride For reservations Contact Midwest Trail Ride for camping reservations at 812-834-6686 or www.midwesttrairide.com. November 24-27, 2016 Fall Clean Up Brown Co. State Park Contact John Allen: 317-539-4326 carriageboy@hotmail.com ITRA wants to thank all the volunteers for their dedication and countless hours of hard work who have come out to help us create new trails and maintain our current horse trails. Barb Ferguson 18 2430 S. Glenn Lane Salem, IN 47167 812-967-3161 Itra.barb@gmail.com Bob McPheeters 19 27799 North 100 West Anderson, IN 46011 765-683-0665 bob@lighthousestables.com ITRA APPOINTED POSITIONS Larry Sidell 17 273 East 1200 North Batesville, In 47006 812-934-4086 Horsesandhammers@aol.com See ya at the fall ride!! Membership Chairperson Bonnie Miller 8181 W. 100 S Farmland, IN 47340 765-468-6716 itramembership@gmail.com ITRA Web Site Administrator Donald Lockridge 7010 East 300 North Lafayette, IN 47905 765-714-5021 don@bg-sc.com Trail Mix Editor Mary Williams 14978 East 191 st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 765-534-5192 williamtm@embarqmail.com Trail Guide Editor John Allen 9825 South 100 East Clayton, IN 46118 317-539-4326 carriageboy@hotmail.com This Trail Mix Newsletter is the Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association. It is published six times a year in odd numbered months. Editorial material, photos, and notices of upcoming events should be submitted to williamtm@embarqmail.comm or mailed to Mary Williams 14978 East 191 st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 by the 10 th of even months. 2 Round 2 It Ranch LLC 10734 N 800 E Ossian, IN 46777 (260) 639-6657 Email: round2it@onlyinternet.net vkbuckskin@gmail.com Call for Appointment! Book our Tack Trailer for Your Equine events! Select the Best Horse Health Solutions Nu-Image, Nu-Hoof, Select I&II, Nu-Weight.and the rest of the line. (Dealer Inquiries Welcome & Wanted) Mayatex~ Triple E ~ Toklat Parker Nylon ~ Congress Leather Troxel Helmets ~ Showman Products Wells 5 Star Pads ~ Bar F Leanin T Ranch Halters & Leads Cowboy Magic~ Mare Magic ~ Ultra And oh! So much more!! Discount Copies Teresa Peil & Sara Schmidt 100 Mensa Drive * Noblesville, IN 46062 (317)-773-8783 * Fax (317)773-9050 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:30 * Sat 10:00 to 3:00 Email: discountcopies@aol.com 1 5
ITRA Updates ITRA Needs Your Help By Arlene Smoot Many of our trails need repair. I'm sure those of you who ride the horse trails will agree. ITRA works on the single file trails in the state parks as the DNR is shorthanded and doesn't have the manpower to work on those trails. They can work on the wider trails with big equipment but these trails require manual labor. We are in the process of raising money to buy a piece of equipment that can make this manual labor much easier. It will be such a big help because any of you who have helped repair trails know it is a lot of manual work. This equipment will be shared with ITRA in state parks and Hoosier Back Country Horsemen in Hoosier National Forest. We are getting close but still need quite a large sum of money. We would like to purchase the equipment yet this summer. Hopefully, if you enjoy riding the trails you will help by sending a donation to: Midwest Equine Trail Foundation 3158 E 200 S. Dillsboro, IN 47018 Your contribution is tax deductible. 14 Midwest Equine Trail Foundation Contact Chris Riehl For Contributions and Grants at Midwest Equine Trail Foundation 3158 E. 200 S Dillsboro, IN 47018 ITRA Trail Guides Indiana Trail Rider Association s Trail Guide books are now available. The books list almost 1,000 miles of Indiana horse trails, both private and public, with detailed trail and campground maps. There is also a section on horse vital signs along with large animal vet locations throughout Indiana as well as two horse rescue services. The cost of the book is $15 plus $3 for postage. If you join ITRA for $20 and send $3 for postage you will automatically receive the book, plus a subscription to the Trail Mix newsletters. We pass out new books to members every three years because of increased printing and postage costs. Current ITRA members who want a book will need to send $3 for postage. Membership and contact information is also available on our website: INTRAILRIDERS.ORG. All requests for books or membership should be sent to: ITRA Membership P. O. Box 185 Farmland, IN 47340 3
Versailles State Park Horsemen s Campground Plans Trail Tales By Calamity Jane Well folks, I went and did it...i got me one of them new Facebook accounts so's I could keep in contact with old friends and even make some new ones! I joined me some trail riding groups and shore do get a chuckle out of lots of the trail ridin' and campin' questions that folks post. Someone will ask what all they pack in their saddle bags for ridin' on the trail, and by golly those folks must take a pack horse with them for just a day ride, if they really do take everything they listed. But what I like most is learnin' 'bout new places to camp and ride, and boy howdy there's a bunch that I'm a wantin' to do. I'm already plannin' on a trip or two. Did you know that the Indiana Trail Rider's has a Facebook page? It's a good place to ask or answer questions on horse camp and ridin' in the great State of Indiana. Check it out if'n you get a chance. Happy trails and be safe this summer. ITRA Fall Ride at MTR Sept. 16-18 A Few Reminders: Make your reservations ASAP as they do sell out this weekend. Clean your stalls totally out in the barn before you leave. Please donate to the fall silent auction. Remind MTR office you are with ITRA. 13 Life on the Farm By Pastor Dean Well, if you remember the old John Denver song he said, it's kind of laid-back, but I beg to differ it's anything but laid-back! Seems like there is always fences to be mended, weeds to be pulled, hay to be cut, stalls to be mucked, animals to be tended, harness to be repaired, machinery to be repaired, and the list goes on. And it begins again the next day. Sometimes our lives can reflect our farm chores if we're not careful. Let's not get too busy that we don't take the time to see the hand of the Lord in our own lives. After all he has given us and entrusted in us all of these things. The Bible tells us that all good things come from him. And after all, these things will all perish and someday return to the ground, even us. But Christ stepped into the world and made a way for us to live. You see to live is Christ and to die is gain. Jesus told us in his Word, He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live! Not only can we live a life in Christ on this earth but we can have eternal life. That hope of Christ makes those farm chores easier, and a world that's gone crazy a little bit saner because we understand what God has promised. And that is he will defeat this world and has through the blood of his Jesus Christ, and that someday we can live with him. So be encouraged today and know that the one who holds the future will also hold Your Hand if you ask him. Horseman's Camp Christian Outreach Pastor Dean Manuel Horseman's Camp Christian Outreach 7595 Bob Allen Road Freetown, Indiana 47235 Pastor Dean Manuel 812-345-1642 cell hcco05@gmail.com HCCO Horseman's camp Facebook 4
Please cut and pass out, coupon needed at time of service. Good on regular priced and in stock items only. Offer expires December, 2016. 6 12 5
A Word from ITRA s President John Allen As I am setting down to put words on paper for the July issue of the Trail Mix I just received word from your ITRA director, Larry Sidell, that the much anticipated Versailles Horsemen s Campground is now open as a primitive campground. Making that happen has taken a determined effort spearheaded by some very dedicated individuals and organizations. It is important that they receive the credit due them. First of all I want to thank our Board of Directors who never gave up on the Versailles Campground. Then there is the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) who saw a need and put together a plan to make it a reality. Special recognition should be given to Governor Mike Pence s administration. Former Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and District 67 Representative Randy Frye who took an interest in the park and were of immense assistance in moving the project along. Thanks to the Dearborn Community Foundation in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and the Rising Star Regional Foundation for their generous grants. Those grants would not have happened without the assistance of the ladies who wrote the grants for us at the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission in Ripley County. The day to day task of managing our part of the project went to long time ITRA members, Ron McCoy, Nancy Brunnemer and Larry Sidell. In a coming issues of the Trail Mix they will be describing to us what it has taken to make the camp a reality. Also, as members we need to pat ourselves on the back. It is because we have cared enough about trail riding and camping in Indiana to join and support ITRA. Members spreading the word, volunteering and enlisting others to follow has truly helped make the campground a reality for us and future generations. There is still a long ways to go. By the time you read this we will have had at least one more volunteer workday to move the camp along. The plans drawn up by the IDNR call for the eventual installation of 38 more electric sites with trees, a modern shower house and dump station. In a time of tight budgets and limited resources it is still possible for government and private organizations to come together and build for the future. Thanks to all involved for their contributions. A Note from Trail Mix Editor, Mary Williams I want to thank everyone for sending all the articles and pictures. I have simply run out of room. So I am saving everything sent to me until our September issue of the Trail Mix. I still have information about trail clean-ups from Salamonie State Forest and Lost Bridge SRA, from Greg Hersberger; Potato Creek State Park and Brown County State Park spring clean-up by Jody Weldy; German Ridge from Nancy Brunemmer; an Arizona trail riding adventure from Nancy Brunnemer; O Bannon from Rita Lockridge; Ron McCoy s article about Versailles State Park Horsemen s Campground history that will cover more than one issue; and Mary Williams with an update and clean-up of Koteewi at Strawtown in Hamilton County. Everyone s hard work is truly appreciated every time we ride a trail. It is this dedication that will keep these trails open for future generations. 6 11
ITRA at Work Taking Care of Your Ride Hot Weather Riding Guide By Rita Lockridge ITRA is an Official Sponsor Add air temperature and relative humidity and subtract wind speed. If your total adds up to 180 or above don't ride, if it is 130-170 use caution, 130 or below ride! Determine: Temperature (F) + relative humidity (%) - wind speed. Example: Temperature (F) 79 +Relative Humidity (%) 58 - Wind Speed 4.6 (MPH) Answer = 132.4 Less than 130: All horses can function to cool themselves assuming adequate hydration. 130-170 F: Caution horse's cooling mechanisms can only partially function as intended. Some cooling management procedures will need to be performed. 180 F or above: Stop! Horse's cooling systems cannot and will not function adequately. All cooling procedures will need to be utilized to keep the horse out of serious trouble. Tippecanoe River State Park Clean-Up By Kim DImmick National Trails Day brought out several members of the Battle Ground Saddle Club and the Marshall County Saddle Club, to help work on trails at Tippecanoe River State Park. Scotty Eskridge worked with assistant property manager Jake Shapley on tasks the group could perform. Trash pickup and trimming back vegetation along the trail 6 loops were done, and we finished just as it started to rain. Later in the day a pitch in supper was enjoyed by many of the workers, while members of the two saddle clubs talked with Jake Shapley and each other about trail riding and the Indiana State Parks that have trails and horse camping. Below pictured the Battle Ground, Marshall Co. Saddle Clubs and ITRA Clean-Up Crew. 10 7
SADDLE UP FOR THE ANNUAL ITRA GET TOGETHER ITRA at Work ITRA Supporting IQHA Ride At Deam Lake Fundraiser for Therapeutic Riding The Indiana Quarter Horse Association is changing the venue for their ride this year. Instead of being held at Midwest Trail Ride it is being held at Deam Lake Recreation Area outside Borden, Indiana. We are hoping a chance at riding new trails, camping at a nice modern campground with awesome stalls for rent will be a wonderful change of scenery. As in the past, we will feed you on Friday night, Saturday morning, provide you with a bagged lunch for on the trail Saturday, and Sunday breakfast. Saturday night will be a mouth-watering catered meal and after that there will be huge auction and entertainment. All the proceeds from auction go to Therapeutic Riding. Over the years they have raised thousands of dollars for this wonderful and worthwhile cause. IQHA have reserved Section C for this event. You must call, not go online to make your reservations. Call 866-511-5573 and wait to talk to a real person, do not hit #1. Tell the person you want a reservation for the Indiana Quarter Horse Assn. ride and that it is in section C and they will fix you right up. You may e-mail Suzanne Walters at suz.walters@gmail.com to get a downloadable reservation sheet for the ride itself. T-Shirts are always given out at the rides, and this year they will be extra special since this year is the 20th ride. There are a few cabins available for rent if you don't have a camper. Hope to see you there! 8 9 Vandalia Trail Curtesy By Karen Humphreys Tuesday evening while I was weeding a trail landscape area in Amo, a town council member stopped by and told me about some unfortunate equestrian behavior in town that day and asked for any recommendations on how to discourage that behavior in the future. They are thinking about what type of signage could be useful to help sensitize horseback riders to the impact they have when they are in town and to ask for their consideration. I also received the stronger e-mail from another person in town describing Tuesday s situation as well as a broader local concern that is developing about equestrians in town. This reflects the same type of concern we had gotten a few years ago when more horseback riders were going through the streets of Coatesville and hanging out next to the Coatesville Food Store. As a result there, we posted signage forbidding horses in the Food Store s parking lot and directing them to tie up at the trail s hitch rail to the east. My impression is that there is now much less equestrian traffic in Coatesville. If the traffic picks up again there, I expect we ll run into that again. While I was in Coatesville later in the evening, I rested at the picnic table in town and was greeted by a manure pile just a few feet from it. Having biked there, I had no appropriate tools with me, but I found it displeasing enough that I scooped it up with a pizza box from the nearby trash can and dumped it in the woods 100 yards away. The remnant spot in the grass still made for an unpleasant environment during my rest there, but will dissipate more quickly now that the mass is gone. Certainly, this does not represent all horseback riders, but it is enough that one can see something must be done. Do you have any suggestions for signage or other actions to help reduce the equestrian impact in the towns while still welcoming them? A key comment in the e-mail is about why do dog walkers have to clean up their small messes while horses have a much bigger impact, particularly in towns. At a minimum, it seems that a larger more prominent sign in the trailer parking area is needed directing horseback riders to not leave behind their messes that are dropped there and maybe even along the section of trail that is within town. I would also propose to encourage them to explore the town on foot rather than on hoof out of respect for the local residents who have so generously provided this area for them to ride.