Meetings begin in September
Welcome to Altoona Trail Riders
Dedicated to preserving equestrian trails, participating in community service and promoting family fun.
september 2025
Thursday, September 4
Monthly meeting, 7PM, Altoona school.
Saturday, September 13
Day ride, Silver River State Park. Ride out at 9:30AM. RSVP required. Club will provide lunch, bring beverage and chair. Bring water for your horse. Restroom available. Mounting block available.
September 25 - 28
McCulley's Farms campout in Jasper, FL. Make your reservations to McCulleys, 386-938-1147.
october 2025
Thursday, October 2
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, October 4
Day ride - Sunnyhill West. Ride out at 9:30 AM. Bring water for your horses. There is a mounting block at the trail head. No toilet facilities.
Wednesday, October 15
Day ride at Karen Szabo's place. Ride out at 9:30 AM.
Saturday, October 25
Day ride at Rock Springs Preserve. Ride out at 9:30 AM. There is water for horses, restrooms.
november 2025
Thursday, November 6
Monthly meeting, 7 PM, Altoona School.
Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, November 8
Day ride - Sunnyhill South. Ride out at 9:30.
Saturday, November 15
Day ride - Twisted Oaks Stables. Ride out at 9:30.
Thursday, November 20
Day Rride - The PandoRosa. Breakfast ride. Breakfast at 8:45. Ride out at 10:00 AM.
december 2025
Thursday, December 4
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM.
Saturday, December 6
Reindeer Games at Fiddler's Green Ranch. Registraion at 9:00 AM. Games start at 9:30.
Saturday, December 13
Christmas party - Grand Oaks Resort. From 1-5 PM.
Wednesday, December 17
Day ride - Sawgrass Island Preserve. Ride out at 10 AM.
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, Sunnyhill Trails, Ocklawaha Prairie 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 $10. 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 :
Altoona Trail Riders Newsletter October 2025
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
Michelle McWilliams, President Contact info: email markmichellworks@aol.com or Text 352-636-6430
Ron Smith, Vice President/Trail Boss Contact info: email trails4me@aol.com
Renee Lewis, Secretary
Paige Chassie, Treasurer
Directors: John Dalziel, Jerry Harrington, Libby McDermott, Karen Szabo
Message from your President: Happy Fall! Not that the recent temperatures indicate that fall has actually arrived here in Florida. Our season had a great start with the first day ride at Indian Lake on Sept 13th. We had 15 riders who rode 6.5 miles and then returned to the trailhead for a nice lunch and some wonderful social time. Next up was our first campout at McCulley Farms. If you have never been or haven't been in a while I strongly suggest to make a plan to camp there soon. Although the weather was a bit fickle with lots of heat and some rain scattered in between it was still a wonderful weekend. Of course there was plenty of food and many laughs. We welcomed a new member, Nicole, who was new to camping with horses. Current member, Sherry Orr also ventured out for her first campout with her horse Jesse. I hope everyone is checking out all the fantastic photos posted to Facebook from these rides. If your schedule has been busy and you haven't made to any of the rides yet don't worry there is still plenty of fun to come. Check out the ride calander on our website or under the events tab on Facebook to see where we are headed next. I've already got some great stuff for Year End awards.
Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday Dec 13th, ATR Christmas party. I'm still working on the gift exchange game. It will be at Grand Oaks. There will be a limited menu available to choose from. You MUST RSVP for this event as well as make menu choice and pay by December 17th. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Directions: 3000 Marion County Road Weirsdale, Fl 32195. 22 miles from Altoona. Turn right onto CR 42W (16miles) Turn left onto SE 155th Ave (2.1 miles) Turn left onto Marion County Road (0.5 miles) Turn right onto Grays Airport Road (0.5 miles) Turn right onto Griffin Ave (0.5 miles) Turn left to stay on Griffin Ave (0.8 miles) Turn right onto Four In Hand (0.4 miles) Turn left onto Phaeton Way (0.2 miles) Turn right onto Carriage House Way (0.1 miles) Turn left (0.2 miles) Turn right (150ft) to parking area. Walk following signs to Bistro entrance.
REMINDER : Time is running out. Please don't forget to renew your ATR membership. Even life members need to fill out a renewal application. Please print out the application found either on Facebook or our website altoonatrailridersinc.com and mail in to PO Box 1225 Altoona, FL 32702 or bring to any ride or monthly meeting. Again we will be enforcing the cut off time for renewing. Please have your dues paid by October 31st so you can remain active on our Facebook page and continue to receive Club emails.
Calendar:
OCT:
Thursday Oct. 2nd- ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702. Refreshments provided. Guest speaker Lori Tankel discussing Barn Safety and Fire Prevention. Social time 7PM, meeting at 7:15PM. All are welcomed. BRING YOUR COMPLETED MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION if you have not already mailed it is.
Saturday Oct. 4th- Sunnyhill West Day Ride- Ride out at 9:30am. Directions: 35 miles from Altoona School. Go west on CR 42 to SE 182 Ave Rd (Buck N Does). Go to end at Meadors Corners(314A). Go left on 314 A to the blinking light. Go left on Hwy 464C to SE 113th St. Rd (2.5 miles). Turn left onto 113th St. and go to end at the stop sign (2.5 miles) at Fisher Rd. Turn right onto Fisher Rd and trail head will be down there on the left. Look for new board fencing.
Wednesday Oct 15th- Karen Szabo's Ranch Day Ride. Ride out at 9:30am. This is our first mid week ride. You MUST RSVP to this ride. Club will provide the pizza. Members please bring a small dessert to share. Also bring your chairs and beverage of choice. Directions: 24983 CR 42 Paisley, FL 32767. From the intersection of SR 19 and CR 42 in Altoona travel east on CR 42 for 7.7 miles. You will pass a Dollar General on the left and then there will be a brown church on the right. My driveway is on the left across from the brown church. Turn left on the concrete entryway between the mailbox and the wooden Lazy S sign. Follow the drive around the fence and parking will be in the pasture.
Saturday Oct. 25th - Rock Springs Preserve Day Ride. Ride out at 9:30am. Let's see how creative you can be. Decorate your horse for Halloween or Fall. Bring your lunch to enjoy at the trailhead after ride. Spooky treats will be provided. Directions: 30601 Wekiva River Road Sorrento FL 32776. 25 miles from Altoona. Turn left onto CR 42E (3.5 miles) Turn right onto CR 439 (7.8 miles) Turn left onto FL-44E (4.2 miles) Turn right onto CR FL-46E (250ft) Turn right onto Wekiva River Road (0.4 miles) Go 100ft and Turn right into entrance. Follow road to end into camping area turn right to park in open field for day riding.
NOV :
Thursday Nov. 6th- ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702. Refreshments provided. Guest speaker Kelsey Griffing with Sport Horse Alchemist. Check out her website sporthorsealchemist.com. Social time 7PM, meeting at 7:15PM.
Saturday Nov. 8th - Start of General Gun Hunting Season in the Ocala Forest.
Saturday Nov. 8th - Day Ride at Sunnyhill South. Ride out at 9:30. Bring your lunch to enjoy at the Trailhead after the ride. Directions: Go west on CR 42 from SR 19 for11 mi. Trailhead is across from Buck N Doe’s grocery store. Turn left into parking lot at the caution light.
Saturday Nov. 8th - Camp Boggy Creek Family Weekend (Not an ATR Event). Volunteers needed to help campers ride horses in the arena. Contact Danielle at 407-529-4538 or email ddoornew@gmail.com to volunteer.
Saturday Nov. 15th - Day Ride at Twisted Oaks Stables. This is going to be a fun one!! YOU MUST RSVP for this ride. Turkey Trot Ride. The trail will be marked for members to ride at their own pace. Find envelopes on the trail to win prizes. Bring your lunch to eat after the ride. Directions: 43600 SR 19 Altoona, FL 32702. 1 mile from the Altoona School. Head north on SR 19 go 1 mile. Entrance on the left.
Thursday Nov. 20th - Day Ride at The PandoRosa Ranch. This is a breakfast ride. Breakfast at 8:45 am, ride out at 10 am. You MUST RSVP to this ride. Bring a chair and your beverage of choice. Hang around after the ride to snack on leftovers from breakfast. Directions: 18108 Demko Road, Altoona, FL 32702. 1.1 miles from Altoona School. Head north on SR 19 go 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Demko Rd go 0.7 miles. Turn left into open field for parking. There will be a team there to help with parking.
Sunshine Committee: The Club extends our heartfelt sympathy to Renee Lewis for the loss of her stepdad, Dave and Debbie Manser for the loss of her Wonderful Love, Gary Hersom. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time. If you or any member you know gets hurt, suffers a loss or just needs some SUNSHINE please reach out to Sue Michel our Fabulous Sunshine Committee via text at 352-212-7027 or email suebrascia@gmail.com
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!