O`Bannon Woods Spring Trail Fund Raising Ride April 17, 18, 19

INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS
ASSOCIATION, INC.
Post Office Box 185
Farmland, IN 47340
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PERMIT NO. 21
Trail Mix
March, 2015
The Official Publication of the Indiana Trail Riders Association, Inc.
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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.
We’re on the Web at: www.intrailriders.org.
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March, 2015
MARK YOUR CALENDERS
ITRA Annual Meeting
Saturday March 21, 2015
Spring Clean-up Brown County
April 25, 2015
O’Bannon Woods
Spring Trail Fund Raising Ride
April 17, 18, 19, 2015
By Greg Hersberger
The Indian Trail Riders Association has partnered with
Old Capitol Saddle Club and O’Bannon State Park to provide a
weekend ride as a fund raising event to support the horse
campground and trail construction repair and maintenance
projects in the park. All camping fees and donations originating
from this event will go directly to this park’s Horse Campground
and Horse Trail Maintenance Donation Fund.
Friday night we will have a campfire social at the
Horsemen’s Hidaway Campground at the park tents and shelter
at 8:00 p.m. Saturday morning the trail rides will meet at the
Horsemen’s Hidaway park tents and shelter. The rides will leave
at 9:30 a.m. for an all-day ride at a fast pace; 9:45 a.m. will be
an all-day ride at a slow pace; and 10:00 a.m. will lead a half-day
pleasure ride. Saturday night will feature a pitch-in dinner at the
Horsemen’s Hidaway Campground park tents and shelter with
meat provided by the sponsoring club. Please bring a dish or
dessert to share, and you will need to bring your own
refreshments or some will be available for sale as an additional
fund raiser. We will have a silent auction and birdhouses for sale
to help support our event. There will be a dance on Saturday
night at the Horsemen’s Hidaway Campground from 7:30-11:00
pm.
Call in your reservations to O’Bannon Woods State Park
Office beginning March 10, 2015 at 812-735-8232 Monday –
Friday 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
1
ITRA Calendar
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.
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Hoosier Horse Fair
Visit ITRA’s booth.
Hamilton County Fairgrounds.
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.
ITRA OFFICERS - 2014
Vice President
Arlene Smoot
2532 West 200 South
Danville, IN 46122
317-745-2976
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jody Weldy
26468 County Road 28
Elkhart, IN 46517
574-875-1469
[email protected]
ITRA Membership
Annual Meeting
The pitch-in and silent auction at 1 pm
with meeting to follow with election of
officers.
The corporate address is Post Office Box 185, Farmland, Indiana 47340.
President
Bob McPheeters
27799 North 100 West
Anderson, IN 46011
765-683-0665
[email protected]
April 17, 18, 19, 2015
April 10, 11, 12, 2015
March 21, 2015
Secretary
Erin Maksymczak
6565 E. 256th Street
Arcadia, IN 46030
317-695-5599
[email protected]
April 24, 25, 26, 2015
June 6, 2015
Brown County St. Park
Spring Clean up
Contact Bob McPheeters for
information 765-683-0665
O’Bannon Woods
Spring Trail Maintenance Ride
Call the park office for
reservations and information.
June 14-17, 2015
National Trails Day
Directors across the state will have
planned events. See May, 2015
Trail Mix for planned activities.
Washington, DC
American Horse Council 2015
Annual Meeting and National
Issues Forum
[email protected]
ITRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Greg Hersberger (Chairman) “17
Brett Erwood ‘15
Rita Lockridge ‘16
The corporate
Farmland,
Indiana 47340.
4962
South 250address
West is Post Office Box
3520185,
West
800 South
7010 East 300 North
Portland, IN 47374
Rosedale, IN 47876
Lafayette, In 47905
260-729-1208
812-299-2923
765-714-5019
[email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]
Lawrence Turnquist ‘15
12005 Parrish St.
Cedar Lake, IN 46303
219 374-5370
[email protected]
John Allen ‘17
9825 South 100 East
Clayton., IN 46118
317-539-4326
[email protected]
Scotty Eskridge ‘16
P. O. Box 234
Knox, 46534
574-896-5159
Chris Riehl ‘16
4653 Lantern Ridge Rd.
Nashville, IN 47448
812-988-2263
[email protected]
Gayle Vautaw ‘17
6113 South 900 East
Walton, IN 46994
574-626-3424
[email protected]
Georgia Ballinger ‘16
6762 E. Mahalasville Rd.
Morgantown, IN 46160
812-597-2170
[email protected]
Barb Ferguson ‘15
2430 S. Glenn :Lane
Salem, IN 47167
812-967-3161
[email protected]
Yvette Rollins ‘16
12784 E. Rollins Lane
Springville, IN 47462
812-797-4540
[email protected]
Mary Williams ‘16
14978 E. 191st Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
765-534-5192
[email protected]
Nancy Brunnemer ‘17
7178 North 500 West
McCordsville, IN 46055
317-443-8771
[email protected]
Karen Humphreys ‘15
3419 North 425 East
Danville, IN 46122
317-892-3769
[email protected]
Larry Sidell ‘17
273 East 1200 North
Batesville, In 47006
812-934-4086
[email protected]
Aug. 14, 15, 16, 2015
Sept. 18, 19, 20, 2015
Sept. 18, 19, 20, 2015
Covered Bridge Retreat
ITRA Officers & Directors Meeting
with DNR, HBCH, and/or other
horse trail user representatives.
MTR Norman, Indiana
ITRA Fall Ride
Contact Midwest Trail Ride for
camping reservations at 812-8346686 or www.MidwestTraiRide.com.
Fort Harrison St. Park
Hoosier Outdoor Experience
9 am-6 pm
September 26, 2015
October 31, 2015
November 28, 2015
Tippecanoe State Park
Fall Clean up
O’Bannon State Park
Contact Greg Hersberger for
information
260-729-1208,
[email protected]
Public Lands Day
Workday and projects to be
announced
Chili and ham & bean supper. Contact
Scotty
Eskridge
317-896-5159
for
information.
November 28, 2015
Fall Clean Up
Brown Co. State Park
Contact Bob McPheeters for information
765-683-0665
[email protected]
ITRA APPOINTED POSITIONS
Membership Chairperson
Bonnie Miller
8181 W. 100 S
Farmland, IN 47340
765-468-6716
[email protected]
ITRA Web Site
Administrator
Donald Lockridge
7010 East 300 North
Lafayette, IN 47905
765-714-5021
[email protected]
Trail Mix Editor
Mary Williams
14978 East 191st Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
765-534-5192
[email protected]
Trail Guide Editor
John Allen
9825 South 100 East
Clayton, IN 46118
317-539-4326
[email protected]
Round 2 It Ranch LLC
10734 N 800 E
Ossian, IN 46777
(260) 639-6657
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Call for Appointment!
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
[email protected] or mailed to Mary Williams 14978 East 191st Street Noblesville, IN 46060 by the 10th of even months.
2
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15
ITRA Spring Clean-Up
At Brown County State Park
April 24, 25, 26, 2015
By Bob McPheeters
Once again will we be setting up at the shelter
house by the Horsemen’s Camp entrance on Saturday
morning. We will have trail clean-up sign-in sheets by 9:00
a.m. Saturday morning. It is important that everyone
helping on the trails check in before riding out to work. ITRA
is responsible for all numbered horse trails. We always
have a road crew working to clean-up IN 135 and the
horsemen’s campground including the hitching rails and
camp roads. We will have a list of projects we will need to
complete this weekend. There is always something for
everyone to help with even if you don’t go out on the tails
to work. Once everyone is finished working on the trails,
please stop by the shelter again to record the hours you and
your friends have spent helping us maintain our horse trails
and campground.
Saturday evening at 6:00 pm we will have a pitch-in
dinner with ITRA providing the meat. After the dinner we
will have a board meeting at the shelter.
Contact Greg Hersberger to coordinate your stay
and a free night of camping for volunteering and Brown
County State Park to make camping reservations. I will be
there as early as Tuesday of that week. By making things
better for all riders, we preserve it for our children and
grandchildren. Over the years we have been able to
improve and reroute exiting trails, keeping all of them
available for riding, and new ones have been added as well.
Your help is much appreciated!!
See ya there, Bob.
Midwest Equine Trail
Foundation
Contact Chris Riehl
For Contributions and Grants
Midwest Equine Trail Foundation
4653 Lanam Ridge Rd.
Nashville, IN 47448
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Websites for
Our Young Trail Riders
By Mary Williams
Two websites for children of various
ages contain activities targeting different horse
related skills and interest during those housebound days.
An all-breed website introducing
children to the world of horses is easily
accessible at www.TakeMeRiding.com. Go to
On Line Stable to log on to activities that range
in children’s ages 5-9.
Parelli has on line activities and games
that clearly shows kids how to make found
crafts from home to use with their model play
horses creating their mini trails, barrels, or
obstacles courses.
You can find this site at
miniparelli.com. This is divided into various age
groups that allows children to make it and play
with it. This site changes activities monthly.
No Fee changes
For 2015 at DNR Properties
By Dale Grier, DNR
Bonnie Miller
Membership Chairman
This is just a reminder that annual
membership renewals are due at the Hoosier
Horse Fair. After the Hoosier Horse Fair, you will
not receive a Trail Mix until we receive your
annual membership renewal by mail or PayPal
from our website.
Stop by our booth at the Hoosier Horse
Fair. There is always someone there to help you!
Bonnie Miller
3
Our Beginnings
By Arlene Smoot
ITRA Has Increased Corporate Support
By Mary Williams
Bev Jones was instrumental in moving
ITRA into a more social group. She had a political
background from her family and was very
knowledgeable in entertaining, making people
feel welcome and needed. She was able to
organize many new volunteers, and we went to
work trying to build a good rapport with the
DNR. She and her friend Pat Moore made many
trips to other states to learn how these states
operated.
One very social event we held each year
was our VIP ride. ITRA invited every legislator in
the state to Brown County Horsemen’s Camp for
a weekend. Anyone was welcome to stay
overnight if they would like to but most just
came for the day on Saturday. We started their
day with an awesome lunch featuring wonderful
big thick pork chops cooked over an open grill
and lots of good, homemade sides and desserts.
We had good safe horses available if anyone
wanted to take a ride in the park, and several
times we had wagons or buggies if they
preferred. One time we even had a stage coach.
It was a big hit.
The board met with the DNR several
times a year in order to discuss our and their
wants and needs. We had many meetings and
much discussion with the DNR about the fact we
needed more trails. An agreement was finally
reached to give us back half of the single file
trails they had closed. Our part of the
agreement was we would maintain those single
file trails. Since that time, we have been
successful in getting back more of those closed
trails
That agreement is why we always need
members to volunteer when we say we need
help to work on the trails. We have to keep
Indiana Trail Riders Association has been
privileged to continue our working partnership
with our long term corporate sponsor Kerlin
Trailers. Their continued support has enabled us to
maintain two trailers to help us provide the
necessary support for our volunteers working on
trails around the state.
We signed on two new partners to help
ITRA continue their obligations of trail
maintenance around the state. Midwest Trail
Rides has helped us host our fall ride for many
years and advertise in the Trail Guide. They have
stepped up and will be advertising in our Trail Mix
helping us get the word out about all of our horse
trail projects around the State of Indiana.
We want to welcome a new partner,
Cowpokes. They are helping us with our fund
raising activities. Please take time to look and bid
on some of the items they have provided.
Remember, all money spent on their items go
directly to ITRA. We hope everyone will bid the
selected items to their full retail value or more
since all monies will go directly to help ITRA. As an
added bonus, Cowpokes will give any ITRA member
a 10% discount on all purchases. All you have to
do is bring in Cowpokes’ ad from the Trail Mix at
check-out.
Please support these sponsors whenever
you can, and let them know you appreciate their
help. With everyone’s help, we can accomplish
more.
our word given to the DNR.
DID YOU KNOW?
ITRA has a similar membership base as the third
largest political party in the State of Indiana.
Hay is the 3rd largest crop grown in the United States
behind corn and soybeans.
Minutes of ITRA meeting 11/29/14
Meeting was called to order by Chairman of the Board, Greg Hersberger at 7:50 PM
Those present were: Greg, Scotty, Chris, Georgia, Bob, Barb, Yvette, Larry, Nancy, John, Karen, Arlene.
Absent: Jody, Erin, Brett, Rita, Lawrence, Gayle, Mary
Discussion was regarding some board members receiving emails and some not. All board members
should receive the minutes.
The Treasurer’s report was discussed. Approved by Scotty and Larry
O’Bannon was discussed – Most hitch rails in primitive have been torn out and 2 new ones have been
built. Prisoners will build more.
There is $150,000.00 available from the DNR to spend on horse trails. There is to be a meeting with
Brown County, O’Bannon and Versailles to decide how it should be used.
Annual meeting was discussed –
For election we will need a new secretary and a new director. Reed Record would like to run for
director.
Larry made a motion to provide $500.00 for food – seconded by Yvette - Passed
Nancy will check with Erin regarding inviting Hamilton County Horse Club to our annual meeting.
Larry mentioned our Silent Auction sheets need a line for people to note a reserve
The spring ride at O’Bannon will be April 17-18-19, 2015 Cost will be camping site plus $10.00 to ITRA
Ditch Witch was discussed by Yvette –
We have the possibility of $12,400.00 to be used toward the purchase. Breakdown: $ 6,400.00 METF
$3,000.00 HBCH $3,000.00 IHC Foundation Trail Fund. The $6,400.00 listed under METF is $5,000.00
from IN Horse Council and $1,427.00 from ITRA Fall Ride Silent Auction.
The $3000.00 listed under HBCH is $2000.00 from Greenways Foundation and $1000 from Back
Country Horsemen of America
Jerry Fruth has promised to try for a grant which would be $7,000.00. Alice Hedrick brought up the
possibility of buying a Toro Dingo rather than the Ditch Witch as they are offering discounts.
Hoosier Horse Fair –Will be April 11-12-13, 2015
They will be having the Kick-Off Trail Ride this year
They will be having ACTHA rides
Yvette made a motion for ITRA to pay $250.00 for Bob Wagner’s appearance at HHF this year.
Seconded by Bob Motion Passed
Our booth will be in the same place.
Tri Fold John Allen discussed Yvette will get printed
Georgia stated we have plenty of Trail Guides
Karen stated the Weatherman is not cooperating so the B & O trail (horse) will probably have to wait
till spring
Yvette thanked everyone for their help on F trail
Motion to adjourn by Scotty - Georgia second Meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM
Arlene Smoot, Acting Secretary
13
More next time ~~
Arlene
4
ITRA at Work
Fall 50 Mile Ride
O'Bannon Woods, November 7-9, 2014
By Rita Lockridge
Annual Meeting
Silent Auction
By Barb Ferguson
Special silent auction
items from Cowpokes
include new boots and
Montana Silversmith
jewelry.
November 7-9, 2014 was the dates for the
Fall 50 Mile Ride at O'Bannon Woods State
Park. Hosted by the Old Capitol Saddle Club with
the mission of helping raise money for trail
maintenance funds for the park, there were
about 70 folks (maybe more) that came together
for the weekend of great riding and fun for a
great cause!
The weather was very cooperative,
maybe a little on the chilly side in those early
mornings, but overall for early November, we had
a great weekend. It made for two great days of
rides. Many riders took advantage of the guided
rides during the weekend. Our little group rode
out on our own pathway and had fantastic rides
both days.
There was a lot of good food at the dinner
Saturday evening, and the DJ put on some really
good tunes! There was a roaring fire to keep
everyone warm, and watching the dancers is
always a fun time as well!
If you haven't been to O'Bannon Woods
to ride you should really plan a trip! The staff are
always on top of things and making
improvements!
There are always new
improvements any time I get down there (about
3 times a year), and they are the most courteous
12
park staff around!
We will have a silent auction during our
annual meeting. Everyone is welcome to bring an
item. Last year we had enough items that we filled
tables covering the walls of half the meeting room.
Please bring new or gently used items. Hopefully,
everyone will find something they will want to buy!
All proceeds go to ITRA.
Your continued support is greatly
appreciated.
5
Care of Your Ride
Safety on the Trail
From Cheri Cronen
Someone's husband asked me to publish a list of
emergency items a trail rider should take in their saddle bag on
trails. I've seen a lot of these lists, and often it's so much stuff
that you'd need a huge saddle bag to carry it all. My emergency
stuff mostly fits in 2 pint sized Ziploc baggies with just a few
items stashed by themselves and important things always ON
my person. Here's what I take for a day on the trails. I have an
abbreviated version for very short trail rides. Almost all this stuff
is available at Walmart or a drug store. Also, you can divide a
lot of this between two people as long as they stay together.
ON me, in pockets: I ride in an unattractive vest in warm
weather that has a lot of pockets. In cold weather I have
enough pockets in my jackets to hold:
In my saddle bag:

Water, always. Paul suggests a tiny bottle of iodine
tablets, in case you are truly lost and out of water, but
I don't carry that.

Roll of vet wrap, useful for a lot of things

Leatherman tool

Hoof pick

Trail marking tape....the orange or pink or whatever
color. Tie it to your saddle. If you short cut to get help,
pop out on a road, and have to direct rescue help back,
all those trees look alike when you're trying to find
your way back. This is the one thing I occasionally forget.

A cheap bandanna, for about 100 uses, including
marking a tree when I've forgotten my trail marking
tape.

TUBE OF BANAMINE

My food: with a little extra that I save, like a protein
or energy bar, trail mix, etc. If you get lost, don't eat
all your food at once. Eat a third of what you have left
every time you eat.

Rain slicker is tied onto saddle, but if I do NOT expect
rain, I still have a cheap emergency poncho in my bag.
Always remember that you can suffer hypothermia in
wet, windy weather as high as the 60s. And it isn't
funny; it's dangerous. Paul says to always have
"something to take off, and something to put on," but
I don't always follow this rule. And the outdoor
adventure adage is that "cotton kills." Which means
that if cotton gets wet it will not keep you warm.
Fleece and wool do, even when wet.

Tiny baggie with a cigarette lighter and a handful of
dryer lint ...so I can start a fire. Other good fire starters
are Doritos (yeah, weird, huh?!!), chap stick.

A light source. I carry a headlamp, the cheap kind from
Lowe's, usually. Some people carry glow sticks that
they can crack and tape to their horses' breast collars.
The headlamp is also helpful for looking closely at
wounds.
6
In one baggie:

A couple of Aspirin pills (for chest pain, heart attacks.....I'm not
getting' any younger!) Needs to be real aspirin. Don't take my
advice on this; ask your doctor. I can't give medical advice.

Ibuprofen. Ask your doctor.

Liquid Benadryl, very small plastic bottle. In case of multiple bee
stings, I can gulp it and it will act faster than pills or for after someone uses an Epi-pen. Again, ask your doctor.

Tiny bottle or spray of hand sanitizer. I actually use some tiny
samples.
TRAIL RIDER EMERGENCY ITEM LIST

Tiny bottle of contact solution, the plain normal saline. Good for
washing out small wounds, rinsing eyes (horse or person), etc. Can
purchase at any Walmart or drug store.

Tiny tube of antiseptic ointment. Again, I have some tiny samples.
I think I found them at Walmart or Big Lots.

One or two feminine panty liners, to use as a dressing. Get the
individually wrapped ones or you can use the thicker/larger ones.

Band-Aids, various sizes, including blister band aids...and I have
some steri-strips and the glue-like liquid to make them stick, but
only because I have access to them.

Space blanket....for shelter, or warmth, or someone in shock, or as
a ground cover so you can sit down, or to signal. Available in
Walmart camping dept. I sometimes carry 2.

I recently found a teensy tiny little pair of tweezers in a padded
carrier. It's no more than 1 inch long. I stuck that in the baggie, too.
In second baggie:

Several very small zip ties, to repair tack, and a few of several of
other sizes for lots of things. I could kiss the person who invented
these.

A few Chicago screws, in case someone needs them. I don't use
bridles with Chicago screws.

A couple of leather or cord shoe strings.

Couple of those hand warmers. Take up no room and I have been
known to put them in my bra. Really helps!

Tiny roll of duct tape. You can find these in camping sections, or you
can simply tear off some strips from a big roll and put it around
something else you're taking: chap stick, the bottle of contact saline,
etc.

A few one dollar bills and some other paper money, paper clipped
together. In case I come upon a coke machine or small country store
or restaurant. Haha
Honest to Pete, I know this sounds like a lot of stuff. However, all the
stuff in the saddle bag, a SMALL saddle bag that fits behind my cantle, weighs
a total of about 2 lbs.!! That's it.
Now, I don't always take all this with me on trail rides. When I'm going
out on a very short trail that I am very familiar with, I only take: the stuff I
listed as ON me, plus water, a roll of vet wrap, Leatherman tool, and hoof pick.
These last 3 easily fit into my water holder.
Can't tell you how many times I've used most of this stuff, for me/my
horse or for other people. Especially the tack repair stuff. And weird things
happen. Once my horse got a rock stuck ACROSS his hoof, wedged into both
sides of his shoe. He was 3 legged lame. A hoof pick wouldn't get it out. I
used the Leatherman to whack it really hard, which broke it enough that I
could get it out with the pick. Of course we have more and better first aid
stuff back at the trailer, but this is the very lightweight, very compact
emergency stuff we carry with us.
11
On The Trail
ITRA at Work
With Jody Weldy at Red Horse Hill Camp
Most of the sites are in the shade and Gene has
plenty of nice 8 X 10 stalls for your horses for $8.00 a stall
and there is water and electric at each site. There is also
a nice shower house and also a mess hall that has a TV
and plenty of tables and chairs. But the kitchen is only
open for special rides that Gene has about 3 or 4 times a
year. We were lucky that he had a ride the last weekend
we were there and the food was reasonably priced and
good too.
Most of the sites are in the shade and Gene has
plenty of nice 8 X 10 stalls for your horses for $8.00 a stall
and there is water and electric at each site. There is also
a nice shower house and a mess hall that has a TV and
plenty of tables and chairs. But, the kitchen is only open
for special rides that Gene has about 3 or 4 times a
year. We were lucky that he had a ride the last weekend
we were there and the food was reasonably priced and
good too.
From then on it rained most of the time. It was
nice to be able to saddle your horse up in the stall to keep
your gear dry and yes the trails were muddy, but none of
them were deep mud because the rock is just an inch or
two below the dirt. The campground sits on top of a
mountain and you ride down it to get to the main trail,
but there are several nice trails in and around camp. You
do have to do a little bit of dirt road riding to get to the
rest of the trails in the Daniel Boon National Forest, but
it’s only for a half mile or so and not too awfully bad and
those of you who know me know I hate to road ride!
John had brought a TB gelding he had gotten
and he was full of vim and vigor starting out but after a
couple of days of mountain climbing he started acting
like a broke horse! The trails up and down the mountains
are long and very rocky and the footing is not great but
it’s pretty good riding. There are a lot of rock walls and
out cropping’s, very similar to Shawnee National Forest
in Southern Illinois but hardly any of the trails go up to
them but we did a little brush hopping and rode to some
of them.
In spite of all the rain, we had a good time. I
was very grateful that at the Indiana Quarter Horse Ride,
I had bid on and won a Muddy Creek Slicker for a very
reasonable $80.00 (normally $199.00), and I absolutely
love it. The slicker has a hood or you can tuck it into the
collar. And it’s made big enough that it not only covers
all of you but your horn bags and saddle bags are kept
dry and most of your horse’s rump!
Here is the contact info for Red Hill Horse
Camp. Phone: 606-3085900 www.redhillhorsecamp.com
ITRA Silent Auction
Results
Fall Ride MTR
By Barb Ferguson
ITRA had enough donated items to have a
silent auction during Saturday’s ride and a
live auction following the pitch-in dinner.
Wow! What an amazing silent auction we had at the fall ride at Midwest Trail Ride in September. The auction
took in $1252.00. Each year it keeps growing, and we are so pleased and thankful with the member donations. It just
keeps getting bigger and bigger….I want to start out saying that I hope I do not leave anyone out here. So here goes…
We had a ITRA member that is getting out of horses that donated a huge amount of horse items for us to use
in our annual silent auction, her name is Nan Demaree and I want to say THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS. I am sorry
you are getting out of horses, and I must say that your donations alone generated $600 plus to our Trails Maintenance
Fund. We are truly grateful to Director John Allen for picking up these items from Nan. Nan’s top donations were 5
saddles, a novelty John Deere tractor and wagon (that went far too cheap) a really nice picket line set and muchmuch more, too much to list.
I want to thank the other members and non-members that donated items so here is a long list. Everything is
appreciated and it takes a really great group of horse people to make this a success. Again-I hope I do not leave
anyone out. This is off of the bid sheets. Tracey, Debbie Reed, Dale Leisburg, Donna Anderson, Kathy S, Cheryl Royer,
Kathy R, Barry & Jamie, Director Gayle Vautaw, MUNCIE LIGHT HORSE CLUB, Connie King, Becky, Director Georgia
Ballinger, Ginger Karns, Wilma Shaul, Collom, Carla, Director Mary Williams, Director Larry Sidell, Jim Tremain, KS,
Kathy Ramsey, Lu Ann Williams, President Bob McPheteers, Mary Lou Maes and Chairman Greg Hersberger.
It is takes several ITRA members to keep on top of the items coming in, and we used up everything we could
get our hands on to lay out the donations and bid sheets including the pool table and stage. I want to especially thank
Director John Allen and Ann for their help with checking in items at the pay table. Also thanks to Nancy Brunnemer
as she always helps with getting this scheduled and gets the word out on ITRA official Facebook and The Edge. She is
an asset to ITRA. Also thanks to Larry Sidell with all his help, he is also an asset. Thanks to Stacy Lowe for helping
with the pay the lady table. Thanks to President Bob McPheeters and Deb and Chairman Greg Hersberger for the live
bundle auction to help move the left over items and Yvette Rollins for her help.
For the members that did not get to come to ITRA Fall Ride or get to look at the auction, here is some of what
we had: EZ boots, saddles, bridles, blankets, billets, cinches, bits, gel seat, lead ropes, reins, pads, lounge lines, halter
sets, winter blankets, horse shoe décor, purses, shirts, jeans, jackets, vests, home décor, books, baskets, dusters,
bikes and tricycle, chairs etc…
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I was looking for a place to camp and ride for a
week, fairly close and one that we’d not been to
before. I settled on Red Hill Horse Camp in Livingston,
KY. I had talked to trail riding friends who had been there
and that had good things to say about the place as well
as good reviews on Horsetraildirectory.com.
I had discovered years ago that the best week
to take off in October is the week of Deana Hardin’s fall
break. That’s how I came up with my date this time but
Deana warned me that this year her fall break was a
week early and that should have warned me right then
and there. I decided to keep the original date. We left
on Friday morning with plans to over-night at Clark State
Forest in Henryville, getting a nice ride in the afternoon.
We planned on loading up and heading for Livingston the
next morning with hopes that the traffic on the bridge at
Louisville would not be bad on a Saturday morning.
Well, we started to hit rain around Kokomo and
I starting checking the weather on my smart phone. It
didn’t look good as far as camping at Henryville so I
called up Gene the owner of Red Hill and asked if we
could come a day early. He said to come on down and
so we did. So instead of taking I=65 down to Kentucky,
we hit I-64 off of I-465 and went that way, and the going
was smooth sailing.
We arrived at Red Hill Horse Camp and I must
say once you hit Red Hill Road, the last 7 miles to camp
is a lot like taking 135 into Brown County Horse Camp!
Once we arrived and picked out a
camp site close to one of the barns, we unloaded and got
the boys settled in their stalls and proceeded to set up
camp. As we did it started to rain and pretty much kept
on raining the whole darn week. We got a nice ride in on
Sunday and did not get rained on. We went out again on
Monday with rain gear on and had a nice ride, and when
we got back to camp John and Ann Allen had made it to
spend the week with us.
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2015 Slate of Candidates Official Ballot
SADDLE UP FOR THE
ANNUAL
ITRA GET TOGETHER
Place an X in the box of the candidate of your choice or write in a name at the bottom of the page. Bring your ballot to the annual
meeting or send in a signed sealed envelope to Indiana Trail Riders Assn. Post Office Box 185, Farmland, Indiana 47340 before March
12,Officers
2015.
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Bob McPheeters_______
Arlene Smoot__________
Jody Weldy____________
Duane Davis___________
I have served the ITRA as
President the last two years, am
a member 14 yrs. And a lifetime
member of the ITRA.
I
have owned and ridden horses
for several years, mostly as a
trail rider. Since becoming a
member of ITRA, I have helped
with
trail
clean-up
and
maintenance; set up and man
the booth at the Hoosier Horse
Fair; and helped at the Spring &
Fall Ride. I I have been involved
with the local 4-H Horse & Pony
program in Madison County and
several
community
and
church functions where my
horses have been available for
all to enjoy,
I have been a member of ITRA
since the beginning and I am a life
member. I have served in every
capacity on the board and am
currently vice president. I would
like your support again this year
so I can serve in that capacity for
2015.
Directors at Large
Barb Ferguson
INDIANA TRAIL RIDERS ASSN. ANNUAL
MEETING
MARCH 21, 2015
HAMILTON COUNTY 4-H FAIRGROUNDS
It’s time to round up all the kinfolk, load them on the wagons and horses and head on over to Noblesville, Indiana.
Gathering time will be noon with dinner at 1 p.m. ITRA will furnish the meat and eating utensils as well as drinks.
Bring your own favorite dish: last names A-M should bring salads and casseroles, N-Z should bring desserts.
There will be a silent auction. All board directors are asked to bring an item for the silent auction, and everyone else is
welcome to bring items for the auction as well. Immediately following the dinner the election of officers and annual
meeting will be held. This would be a great time to meet the officers and bring up issues that need attention. We hope
to see you there.
Directions: From the south: take I-69 North to the Noblesville, 116th St. Exit. Stay in the left 2 lanes to go to Noblesville
following SR 37. In Noblesville at the next stop light after Wal-Mart you will see Tractor Supply. Turn left at TSC (Pleasant
Street). You should see the fairgrounds on the south side of the street. Go through the stop light and you may turn left
and park at the next 2 fairground entrances. We will be in the Winks building, the building closest to Pleasant Street.
From the north: take I-69 south to St. Rd. 38 exit. It should also be marked as Noblesville exit. Travel west to stoplight
at St Rd. 32. Turn left on SR 32. Go straight through 2 roundabouts. Go past Home Depot and turn left on SR 37, travel
south to next stop light, TSC, and turn right and look for the fairgrounds.
__________
I have been a Director for about 6
years. I would love to continue being
a Director and hope to continue my
support and knowledge to the
southern part of the State as well as
helping with ITRA functions like;
Hoosier Horse Fair, Brown Co Spring
& Fall Clean Up, O’Bannon Spring
and Fall Horse Trail Fund Raisers
along with the ITRA Silent Auction
fund raisers. I have learned a lot
about how the state operates and
how ITRA needs to be in the loop
with all of the state owned horse
trail and campground properties
across the state.
I live on a mini farm in Hendricks
County, Danville, IN. I have a
beautiful Peruvian Paso and a
grade gelding who definitely has
a very mischievous mind. I don't
ride anymore but love to camp
and am very involved in obtaining
new trails and keeping the trails
we have worked so hard to get.
I am currently ITRA’s treasurer
and have held many positions
including president.
I am a lifetime member of ITRA
and a past Director. I am an
alumni of Indiana Agriculture
Leadership
program,
past
President of Wayne County
Farm Bureau and Board
member, and served on Wayne
Co. Chamber of Commerce AgriBusiness committee. I have
been thru the trail certification
program and helped with trails
at several of the parks and
Cardinal Greenway.
Having
been off the Board for several
years, I would like to become
more involved with that part of
ITRA and would appreciate your
consideration for this position.
Please vote for 4 people.
Karen
Humphreys________
Lawrence
Turnquist ______________
Reed
Records______________
I have been on the ITRA Board for
several years. My main focus is to
develop the B&O Rail Equestrian
Trail through Hendricks County. I am
presently in the planning stage to
develop it farther west toward the
Rockville area. I have also helped
develop the Vandalia Equestrian
Trail from Amo to Coatsville and the
planning of the extension further
west through Putnam Co. I have my
trail certification and have helped at
Brown County clean ups. I own three
horses that I trail ride in many parks
in Indiana and travel with them
outside the state. I am married to
Bill with two sons, Jeff and Greg.
I have served three terms as director
and am running for a fourth term.
My past work experience includes
farming, the banking industry, I
owned a fabricating plant, and I
spent 20 years as treasurer of the
Lake County Fair. In recognition of
the many years I have spent
supporting the Lake County park
system, I was appointed to the parks
Board of Directors approximately
seven months ago. If I am successful
in being re-elected, I will continue
the trail advocacy work Bob Thomas,
Elaine Anderson myself, and many
others have pursued.
A lot of you know me and a lot of you
don't. I've been on the board for
most of the last 10 years. I am also
"the keeper of the trailer" and bring
it to all the events. I am a life
member and believe strongly in
what ITRA stands for and their goals.
I have sweated working on trails and
shivered at the fall cleanup. My
schedule now allows me more time
that I can devote to ITRA and its
causes. I would like to serve you, the
members once again. If elected I will
be a helpful part of the board of
directors.
Write in Ballots/ Nominations from the floor please include full name and position nominated:
!. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. _______ _________________________________________________________________________________________________
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