Wednesday 31 May 2017

MT: 15th Annual Strawberry Fields is ON!

May 31 2017
posted by The Duck:

I need some help squashing the rumors that Strawberry Fields is going to be cancelled. This rumor has continued throughout the winter and spring. Neither Howard Kent nor the Nicholson Family has ever entertained the thought of cancelling the ride. These stories and rumors are a complete fabrication in the minds of others but it seems to feed upon itself and it simply won’t go away. The real danger of Strawberry being cancelled would come from the rumors and the lack of entries. At this point we have less than 25% of the entries we had last year at this time.

This evening, May 30th I spoke with a rancher friend who runs cattle on the north side of the mountains. Her comment is “we have had a good year and it looks like we will have plenty of water this year, but it's nothing out of the ordinary” The snowpack in the Untahs is always of interest to the farmers and ranchers in Utah and Wyoming as these mountain watersheds provide the water for irrigation throughout the western valleys. We have gone through years of severe drought and the general ranching population is ecstatic about the snowfall which has ranged between 80 and 120 percent. It had dropped to 80 % earlier in the year, but recent snowfalls brought that back up to 100 plus %. The lower country on the north side of the Unitahs, which is the shaded side has been clear of snow for several weeks. Roads are open and everyone is tickled to death about the moisture. All of this boils down to the fact that the ride has continued through previous years of normal and above normal snowpack. These rumors must be put to rest. There are miles of lower trails through beautiful country that are open right now.

Howard will be marking these trails this coming weekend. Please do what you can, through chat groups and personal communication to turn this rumor mill in the opposite direction or the end result may be the ultimate cancellation of the ride, but it will come, not this year but in some future year and will be the direct result of these rumors and panic attacks on the part of riders.

For more information on the ride, see:
http://xprides.com/rides/strawberry-fields/


Thursday 25 May 2017

NE: Old Dominion

OD ride is less than 3 weeks away.

Early bird discount DEADLINE: 1WEEK away, Tuesday, May 30th.

2 Day format: Friday June 9th 25 &50 milers + ride and tie
Saturday, 100 mile, intro, + ride and tie.

New top ten & completion prizes. Picture is sneak peak of Top 10 prizes

Camp opening and closing: Camp will open at ​9AM on Wednesday, June ​7th​, and will close at noon on Monday, June 1​2th​. If you need to arrive earlier or stay later, please contact ride management ahead of time.

Directions to Base camp:

Coming from the North on I-81 South, take Exit 273 (Mt. Jackson), take a right at the top of the ramp onto Mt. Jackson Rd. Go to the T, take a left onto Rte 614 for 1.1 miles, then a right (west) onto Rt 263 (Orkney Grade). Stay on 263 for about 11 miles, taking it slow on the winding, downhill grade as you enter Orkney Springs. As the grade levels out, take your first left onto Happy Valley Road (there’s board fence on your left as you approach the turn, and a cluster of white buildings directly beyond the turn). Go ½ mile; turn right at right hand bend in road, go to the end of the base camp field and turn left into the driveway to camp.
Coming from the South on I-81 North, take Exit 269 (to avoid traffic in Mount Jackson), turn right off exit ramp and then left onto Rte 11 North, continue about 2 miles, then turn left onto Rte 263, following this road about 11 miles until you reach Orkney Springs. Follow the above directions from that point.

Base camp address and phone number: The base camp is located at
1794 Happy Valley Road, Orkney Springs, VA 22845.

Phone is 540 856-3528. There is no cell service in Orkney Springs, but there is at the Community Store in Basye.

MEALS:
THURSDAY DINNER:
Thursday evening will once again feature a pot luck dinner, with the OD supplying meats and condiments, and others bringing a dish to share.

The 25 mile entry fee includes Friday dinner and Saturday’s continental breakfast.
100 mile entry fees include Friday dinner, Saturday’s continental breakfast, and the Sunday awards brunch.

FRIDAY DINNER:
Ride entry includes Friday night's dinner for ALL riders. Extra meal tickets must be purchased for crew and friends

SATURDAY DINNER
Saturday's dinner IS NOT included in the ride entry. We need a head count (pre-purchased tickets) to know how many grilled chickens to order. In the past we grilled hamburgers as people came up so a head count was not important.

SUNDAY BRUNCH:
Included in 100 miler ride entry. Everyone else must purchase meal tickets for the brunch.

For more information see:
http://www.olddominionrides.org/

Monday 22 May 2017

NW: Oregon Outback Hallelujah Trail Pioneer Un-Cancelled!

Due to overwhelming demand, Oregon Outback Hallelujah Trail ride is back on, Friday and Saturday, May 27 and 28. Come enjoy some sun and good trails!

More information at
https://aerc.org/rpts/CalSetup.aspx

Sunday 21 May 2017

NW: Oregon Outback Hallelujah Trail Pioneer Cancelled

The Hallelujah Trail ride on May 27, 28, 29 is CANCELLED. The trails have far too much winter damage for Tribby's to get them ready. Linda has been trying but she says running out of time. They will still have the Oregon Outback Pioneer rides in July.

For more information see the AERC calendar at:
https://aerc.org/rpts/CalSetup.aspx

Sunday 14 May 2017

MT: Fort Howes Entries Online

Entries for the June 10-11, 2017 Fort Howes Endurance Rides are available at www.forthowes.net.  

Come enjoy the splendor of the Custer National Forest and the Circle Bar Ranch as we celebrate our 21st year of hosting endurance rides.  Our well-marked trails radiate out of our large basecamp (ample parking for even the biggest rigs).

Friday night offers the riders and their crews a grilled steak dinner with all the trimmings (choice beef, of course).

We’re offering on Saturday 75, 50 and 25 mile rides with Sunday having 100, 55, and 35 mile rides.  

Our Control Judges this year include Mike Foss, Mike Vanzwol, Tom Currier, Ray Randall, Sarah Schreiber, Don Hamilton, Deanna Spiker, and Prawit Butudom.  There will be plenty of volunteers to make your weekend ride run smoothly.

Hope to see ya’ll here!

Bill and Jan Stevens


Forthowes.net
5 Fort Road
Ashland, Montana 59003
406-784-2469 - landline
bill@forthowes.net
jan@forthowes.net

Monday 8 May 2017

NW: Limestone Challenge

June 10 in Selma, OR

The trail will be different this year, no stairway to heaven.  Finally made a 25 miler and it will be easier for you. The 50 mile ride is still a challenge. There is lots of water on the trail this year. The rocks are not too bad this year even with all the rain. Camp is still in the nice hay field, plenty of grass and space for us all. 

Poker ride for all distances (high hand wins their ride fee back, 25 and 50 mile distances). First hand free with ride entry, extra hands $ 5.00 each. 


Friday night potluck bring your favorite dish to share!


Chili and corn bread feed on Saturday night before awards. ( vegetarian chili also) 


There will be a photographer 


Looking forward to all your smiling faces and beautiful horses


Glen Siver 

glsiver@yahoo.com
541-592-2411(landline)
541-592-9536(cell)