Happy Spring
Welcome to Altoona Trail Riders
Dedicated to preserving equestrian trails, participating in community service and promoting family fun.
february 2025
Thursday, February 6
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Refreshments will be served.
February 7-9
Camping at Shangri-La on the Greenways. You must make your own reservations through the Shangri-La site. There will be a day ride on Saturday for those wanting to join in. Ride out at 10:00. Let us know if you will be coming so we can wait for you.
Located southwest of Ocala 12788 SW 69th Court, Ocala, Fl 34476. (42 miles from Altoona). From Altoona, go west of CR 42 all the way to the end into Pedro (29 miles). In Pedro go right on CR 475 (north) for 3 miles to CR 484. Go left (west) onto CR 484 for about 4.5 miles to Marion Oaks Course (traffic light). Go right (north) onto Marion Oaks Course and follow the road around to the left where it turns into Marion Oaks Trail. Follow the road for 2.5 miles to SW 69th Court. Go right (north) onto 69th Court and follow the road into the campground.
Wednesday, February 12
Day ride at Half Moon Wildlife Management Area. Ride out at 10:00. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. There is a port-a-potty on site. Bring water for your horses.
Directions:
6014 FL-44 Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538
From Altoona, Go west on CR 42 to the end in Pedro, approximately 30 miles. Go left (south) on CR 475 all the way to the end at SR 44, approximately 4 miles. Go right (west) on SR 44 for approximately 6 miles. Look for Half Moon WMA signs. Turn RIGHT onto CR 247 for 4 miles to the Half Moon parking area on the left.
Saturday, February 22
Progressive Dinner Ride - we will leave from Paige and John Chassis's place after appetizers and ride to Ginger Patrick's for the main meal. We will then ride to Heidi Rogers Twisted Oaks for desserts. There will be water at each location for horses. And tie outs for your horses. A list will be posted as to what food each rider needs to bring.
Directions to the Chassie's.
19915 E. Altoona Rd, Altoona, FL 32702
From Altoona School go north on SR 19 a very short distance to the first road to the right, turn right and go to the end of the road, approximately one mile. The Chassis house is the last house on the left.
march 2025
Thursday, March 6
Monthly meeting, 7PM, Altoona school. Pizza sponsored by Dan's Discount Feed. Speaker from Seminole Feed.
Saturday, March 15
Obstacle training session, M&M Show Horses, 3207 CR 721, Webster. 33597. Limited to 20 riders. Let Ron Smith know if you want your name in the drawing for a spot.
March 20-23
Campout at Coldwater Creek Equestrian Camp in Blackwater River State Park in Milton. Everyone to make their own reservations for campsite and stall.
April 2025
Thursday, April 3
Monthly meeting, Altoona School. Voting for officers and directors for next year will take place. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, April 5
Day ride at Sawgrass Island Preserve. Ride out at 930. This will be an Easter egg scavenger hunt. Search for items on the trail and take photos with your phone. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. And bring water for your horse.
April 25-27
Campout at Colt Creek State park, Lakeland. Everyone to make their own reservations by calling the rangers at Colt Creek, 863-815-6761, and ask for the equestrian campgound. Potluck on Friday night, pancake breakfast Sunday morning. All other meals on your own.
may 2025
Thursday, May 1
Monthly meeting, 7 PM, Altoona School.
Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, May 3
Kentucky Derby Party, Crazy Gator's in Eustis. 5-7 PM. All food and drinks on your own. Wear your best Derby outfit and hat. Bring $3 to pick a raffle ticket for the race. RSVP to Michelle so we know how many are coming.
Thursday, May 8
Day ride at Orange Creek in Citra.
Saturday, May 24
Day ride at Trailhead Ranch
About Us
Come ride with us!
We have monthly day rides and campouts with horses. We have monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 7PM at the Altoona School, SR 19, Altoona. Visitors are always welcomed.
The Trails we Ride
We ride many different trails in the north Central Florida area including the Ocala National Forest, the Florida Greenway Trails, and state forests, parks and preserves.
Join Us On The Trail
Visitors are welcome to come ride with us and will have to pay a day membership fee of $5. ATR enforces Nicole's Law - an approved helmet is required for those 16 and under when riding horses on public lands.
Current newsletter
Message from your president
March 2025
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
Michelle McWilliams, President Contact info: email markmichellworks@aol.com or Text 352-636-6430
Ron Smith, Vice President/Trail Boss: email trails4me@aol.com
Paige Chassie, Secretary
Libby McDermott, Treasurer
Directors: Karen Pando, Jerry Harrington, Margaret Schuman, John Dalziel
Message from your President: Another month gone! We've been so busy having fun it hardly seems possible that the riding season has only 3 months of rides left. February was full of activity with the campout at Shangri-la, showing the love at Half Moon and ending the month riding from food stop to food stop. If you haven't done so yet you really need to check out all the pictures on our Facebook page. Lots of great photos. Sadly I also hear a few of our Northern members are preparing to head back home. We will miss you until next winter. If you are a member but haven't joined the Facebook page yet be sure to click on JOIN button and answer the questions for approval. Our communications team works quickly to get current members approved. For your horsey friends who are not yet members refer them to our website for all Club information.
As we head into March you will notice there are only 2 rides. One being the Obstacle Challenge taking place on the 15th and the campout in Milton, FL Coldwater Creek starting on the 20th. In fact the last few months of the season will have about 2 rides in them. There will be other Club indoor activities such as the Derby party and Year End Party. Safe to say the coming heat and bugs will be slowing us down a bit in the following months. So lets get out there and enjoy all the saddle time we can!!
Just a few housekeeping items : First if you have not signed up for the drawing for a spot in the Obstacle Challenge please do so via Facebook or email to VP/Trail Boss Ron Smith at trails4me@aol.com. I have the following members on the list Nanci Dalziel, Karen Szabo, Renee Lewis, Helene (Weiner) Bendel, Diane Roberts, Roger Schram, Cherie Anderson, Donna Bellusci, Jeff Branch, Devin Branch, Dave Stark and Dee Shepard. This leaves 8 more spots open. Remember the March 6th meeting is the deadline to sign up. All attendees must pay in full at the meeting or make arrangements for payment immediately following the meeting if you do not plan to be at the meeting.
Second, I'm sure you have all received a phone call or two from our Nominating Committee Martha Bradford and Anne Hestand. Thanks again ladies for taking this task on. We will be announcing at the March 6th meeting who has agreed to run and for which positions they are seeking. If you missed their call but wish to run please let either of these ladies know as soon as possible. We will also take nominations from those in attendance at the meeting. Remember all positions are up for the taking. Although it has been rare we really can have more than one person running for a position. You still have time to ponder if being on the Board sounds exciting to you.
PS
I'm still needing those playing cards returned. Check Facebook for a description of deck. 3 of clubs and 2 of hearts from a deck of blue (Royal in color) cards with angels on them. 10 of diamonds and 8 of spades from a deck of blue (mixed shades of blue but more dark) cards with a sphere symbol on it.
Calendar:
March :
Thursday, 6th – ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 . We will draw for March 15th Obstacle Challenge at M & M Show Horses at 3207 County Road 721, Webster, FL 33597. Riders must pay the $10 participation fee at this meeting to secure spot. NO REFUNDS for No Shows. We will announce candidates running for the 2025/2026 Riding Season at meeting. There will be a guest speaker from Seminole Feed. Dan's Feed will provide pizza again with John Dalziel and Diane Roberts bring the dessert.
Saturday, 8th - Camp Boggy Creek Volunteer Day - Not an ATR event. Due to continued work on a lift for riders in the arena area members are being asked to only bring horses for grooming, petting, ect. for campers to interact with. Contact Danielle at 407-529-4538 to let her know you are coming.
Tuesday, 11th - Back Country of Southeast Ocala Work Day. See Facebook Event tab for location and start time.
Saturday, 15th - Obstacle Challenge at M & M Show Horses at 3207 County Road 721, Webster, FL 33597. Limit of 20 riders on course at all times. Spots for this event will be drawn at the March 6th ATR monthly meeting. $10 fee must be paid on March 6th. NO REFUNDS for No Shows.
Thursday 20th - Monday 24th - Coldwater Creek Campout - ALL RESERVATIONS MADE THROUGH https://www.reserveamerica.com/ search Coldwater Equestrian Campground Blackwater River State Forest, FL. Note when booking your camp site you must also book a stall for your horse. You may go up earlier or stay longer. Some members are breaking up the 8 hour travel time into 2 days, leaving Wednesday with an overnight stop and then arriving on Thursday the 20th. Choose whatever works for you and your horse. Ride details will be updated onto the ATR Facebook Event closer to March.
Rules listed on their website:
⦁ Horses are allowed in the corrals, stalls, paddocks, and on trails. Horses are not allowed at campsites.
⦁ Horses are not allowed in the creek that borders this facility.
⦁ There are swift currents and deep holes in the creek; do not leave children unattended near creek!
⦁ Vehicles pulling a camper must be included in the total length of the unit when selecting sites. Vehicle with camper attached must fit completely in the site and not extend into the campground road.
⦁ Coldwater Equestrian Campground and its vicinity is in a non-hunting zone. During the main hunting season, Thanksgiving to mid February, it is recommended to wear fluorescent orange when traveling on horse trails away from the equestrian facility.
⦁ If a camper is incorrectly set up on your reserved campsite advise the Campground Host. If the Campground Host is not on site, courteously advise the camper that you have a reservation. Please have your reservation with you on your electronic device, or have a printed copy, or have your reservation number.
Directions: Coldwater Creek Recreation Area-8049 Horseshoe Loop One Road, Milton, FL 32570
SR 19 north 14 mi; left on SR 40 for 25 mi, right at the light onto 326 for11 mi; Right on
I-75 north for 78 miles; Merge onto I-10 WEST for 251 miles; Take Exit 45 toward Holt;
Merge onto Log Lake Rd for 1 mile; LEFT onto US 90 West for ½ mi; RIGHT onto
Cooper Lane for 1/10th mi then a left onto John Rd for 1 mi.; Continue straight onto
Bryant Bridge Rd for 12 miles; RIGHT on Munson Hwy for 2.3mi; LEFT on Buddy Hardy
Rd for 3.2 mi.; RIGHT to stay on Buddy Hardy Rd for 1 mile; LEFT onto Coldwater
Horse Trail for 1.3 mi; RIGHT onto Horseshoe Loop One Rd; 450 feet to another Right
to stay on Horseshoe Loop Rd.
April :
Thursday, Apr. 3, monthly meeting - at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 . It's time to vote in the 25/26 Board!!!
Saturday, April 5 San Felasco SP Gainesville -Day Ride. Although some riders may camp overnight closer to trailhead. More details to follow. Directions : 13201 Progress Blvd, Alachua, FL 32615. From Gainesville go north on
441 turn left on Progress Blvd and drive 0.7 miles to the park entrance. Note that the
road changes from pavement to gravel a quarter mile before the entrance.
From I-75, exit onto 441 South (exit 399) and drive 2.8 miles south (through the city of
Alachua). Turn right on Progress Blvd and proceed as above.
Friday, April 25-27 Colt Creek SP Lakeland (Campout) -All reservations made through https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/. Directions : 1600 State Road 471, Lakeland, FL 33809, 863-815-
6761, approx 65 miles from Altoona. From Altoona head south on SR 19 all the way to
SR 50 in Groveland (34miles). Go west on SR 50 to CR 471 (13 miles). Head south
on CR 471 to the entrance of Colt Creek which will be on the left (18 miles).
Sunshine Committee: We have definitely kept Sue Michel busy this season. In recent weeks she has sent out two more rays of Sunshine for Stacey Rutledge (new/old member) who fell while in her barn sustaining a few broken bones. Ginger Patrick had to say goodbye to her long time ride, Salish. Kitty Koszuta lost her husband so we sent a card. And Long-time previous member, Linda Hunter, lost her husband, Dale recemtly. They had been married for 64 years.
Trail Manners
⦁ Be on time. Be saddled, mounted and ready to ride at the appointed time.
⦁ No dogs on the trails. Dogs must be leashed at all times when attending day rides and campouts.
⦁ Do not pass the Trail Leader or drop behind the Drag Rider unless given permission.
⦁ Do not pass, come up behind or run toward other horses at a high speed. Horses can become frightened or surprised and may spook causing someone to get hurt.
⦁ Ride at the ability level and speed of the LEAST experienced horse and rider. This is a club ride not your personal ride. Please respect that others may not be as comfortable riding the same way you ride. All rides should be at a controlled pace.
⦁ Speak up. If the group is moving too quickly or slowly-others may feel the same way. Do not let the group get out of your sight especially if you are unfamiliar with the trails. Let the Trail Leader know if a problem arises.
⦁ Keep a safe distance between you and the horse in front of you. This will allow you to view the trail ahead of you and prevent your horse from being kicked.
⦁ Use appropriate tail ribbons for horses that kick. Need red tail ribbons
⦁ 16 and UNDER MUST WEAR A HELMET. This is a Florida State law, "Nicole's Law" Section 773.06 of the Florida Statutes.
⦁ Stay with a dismounted rider. If someone needs to dismount the whole group needs to stop and wait for the rider to remount before resuming the ride. When necessary a few riders who are familiar with the area can stay behind with a dismounted rider until they remount or help arrives. No rider is to be left alone.
⦁ Clean up after your horse. Pick up manure or spread it according to the rules of where you are. Do not clean your trailers out when you unload.
⦁ Safety meeting will be held just prior to beginning the ride. Please give your full attention to the person leading the talk.
⦁ Passing on the Trail. If you must pass another rider call out “Passing on your Left or Right”
⦁ Most importantly - have fun and be safe!
