Happy New Year
Welcome to Altoona Trail Riders
Dedicated to preserving equestrian trails, participating in community service and promoting family fun.
january 2026
Thursday, January 1
Monthly meeting, 7PM, Altoona school.
Happy New Year's Day
January 8-11
Serenity Farms Campout, Inverness.
Thursday, January 15
Day ride at Fechtel Ranch (Lower Wekiva River State Park Preserve. You can camp if you want. You must call the ranger to pay for day riding or camping, 407-553-4348. Ride out at 10 AM. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. There are restrooms, mounting blocks and water for horses.
Saturday, FEBRUARY 7 ***** date change
Day Ride at Inglis Island. Ride out at 10 AM. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. There is a restroom, mounting blocks and water for horses.
february 2026
Thursday, February 5
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Refreshments will be served.
February 12-15
Campout at Shangri-La on the Greenways. Everyone to make their own
reservations with reserve.floridastateparks.org. Camping is primitive with bath house, pavilion, mounting blocks, water for horses.
Friday, February 20
Day ride at Doe Lake. Ride out at 10AM. Cost is $10. Or you can camp for the weekend through Kerry Young. Restrooms on site, water for horses.
Saturday, February 28
Progressive dinner ride, starting at Paige and John Chassis's place. 11 AM .
march 2026
Thursday, March 5
Monthly meeting, 7 PM, Altoona School.
Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, March 7
ATR Yard Sale, 8AM - 1PM, Central Avenue, Umatilla
Thursday, March 19
Day ride - Tiger Bay State Forest, ride out at 10 AM. Bring lunch to eat after the ride.
March 26 - 29
Campout - Colt Creek State Park. Everyone to make their own reservations with the rangers, 863-815-6761.
April 2026
Thursday, April 2
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM.
Saturday, April 4
Thursday, April 16
April 23 - 26
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
January 2026
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: Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is ready to ride in the New Year this Wednesday. Yes! We really are having the monthly ATR meeting on New Year's day, Thursday Jan 1st. They say to start the year off by doing the thing you want to do all year long so we should have a packed house Thursday, lol. There will be refreshments and a guest speaker.
December went by in a flash. We ate, played games and enjoyed time in the saddle. I hope everyone is checking out the photos on Facebook. We have some fantastic photographers in this group. If you missed a few rides don't worry we still have some good stuff coming up in January. Starting off with Serenity Farms campout. There will be games, restaurant trips, live entertainment and all the trail riding you want. If you aren't camping but still want to check out the Withlacoochee Forest join us for a day ride. Let someone know you are coming so we can tell you what time we plan to ride out. Be sure to check out our website altoonatrailridersinc.com and the Facebook page for upcoming rides and the details for rides.
I'm sure many of you are keeping updated regarding the EHV-1/EHM virus. From what I found there are 2 EHM cases here, 1 in Tampa and 1 in Palm Beach County. There are 9 cases of EHV-1 with 7 in the Wellington area, 1 in Ocala and 1 in Indiantown. Again today your Board discussed what the plan is for our upcoming rides. We will continue rides and campouts with firm biosecurity measures in place. It started with the reindeer games but will continue for now. As a reminder this is our biosecurity protocol going forward : No sharing of equipment especially communal water. Limit horse-to-horse and horse-to-human contact. All riders need to be checking their horses for any changes in their horses normal behavior (feed and water consumption, manure consistency), ensure your horse(s) is not displaying any clinical signs of either virus ( fever, nasal discharge, enlarged mandibular lymph nodes, lethargy, loss of tail tone, limb swelling, balance issues) or if they have been running a temperature within 3 days prior to any ATR Event. Most importantly avoiding contact with horses that are attending large shows/gatherings especially if those other horses are from out of state. For those members just now arriving to spend the winter here in Florida we are asking you to avoid ATR Events for 21 days once you arrive here. Even if you kept your horse(s) at your property back home there is still risk of exposure when staying at layover places on your way down. IF you plan to invite friends to join our rides please make them aware of our biosecurity protocol to help eliminate potential exposure. Our goal is to have fun but most importantly protect our horses while doing so. If you have any questions regarding the recommended timeline or other concerns please feel free to reach out to me or any Board member.
DON'T FORGET GUN HUNTING SEASON IS WINDING DOWN. FINAL WEEKEND COMING UP SO BE AWARE OF WHEN YOU PLAN TO RIDE!
Calendar:
JAN :
Thursday Jan. 1st - ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702. Guest Speaker : Charlie Laskowski, farrier and Kquasha, Manufacturer/Developer of the Soleful Equine. They will be sharing their products that help with cracks and other hoof issues. Refreshments provided. Social time 7PM, meeting at 7:15 PM.
Thurs. Jan 8th-11th - Serenity Farms Campout. Make all reservations through TrailBoss Ron Smith. Saturday night will be potluck meal at barn before Billy D takes the stage. Andy and Sue are providing the ham and turkey so bring a side or dessert to share. Bring extra money for raffle items too. Electric sites were drawn in December but there could be cancellation so stay prepared to attend if you put in for electric. There are primitive camping sites available. You may use your generator in primitive sites.. Rates: All horses on property $5, Electric $30, and Primitive $15. All camp sites include 1 (one) corral for 1 (one) horse. If you need another corral setup for second horse there is a $5 fee. There are 2 stalls available for $10 bring your own shavings and stall must be stripped prior to leaving. So for example if you have an electric site with 1 horse for the full 3 nights it will cost you $105 total (minus your $35 deposit). Would be $120 if you have 2 horses in corrals for $135 or if you have a stall it would be $135. If you are primitive camping (minus your $20 deposit) it would be $60 for the 3 nights, $90 if you have 2 horses and $105 with one horse in a stall. Directions: 10032 S. Heatherhill Terrace, Inverness FL 34432. **DO NOT USE GPS** 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 to Inverness, approximately 13 miles. At the intersection of SR 44 and SR 41, go left (south) onto SR 41. Follow it into Floral City. Go thru Floral City and a few miles south veer right (west) onto CR 480. Follow to the end at the stop sign. Take a left and then an immediate right to continue 480. Go 1.3 miles to a right turn on Flutter Terrace. It is just over a small hill so don't miss it. Follow this road where it turns left and then right. Then take a right onto Grapeleaf Road. Take the first left onto S. Heatherhill. Follow it to the end. Andy's place is the last place on the left. NOTE: Follow these directions or you may end up in downtown Inverness with some very sharp turns that will be difficult with a horse trailer. As you get close to Andy’s you may also be directed to turn onto a dirt road – DON’T DO IT! You will end up backing your trailer a long ways through the forest!
Thurs. Jan 15th - Fechtel Day Ride (option to camp) - Ride out 10am. You must call Ranger, 407-553-4383 to pay and get gate code. Bring your lunch to enjoy at the pavilion after the ride. ATR worked hard to get this trailhead in shape for the riding season so please take this opportunity to camp and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Directions: From Altoona go EAST on CR 42 to the end at SR 44- (approx. 18 miles). Go west (right) on SR 44 to Oak Avenue (gas station on corner)-(approx. 5 miles). Turn left onto Oak Avenue and follow to County Road- until pavement ends. The entrance to Fetchel will be on the left.
Sat. Jan 31st - Inglis Island Day Ride - Ride out 10am. Bring your lunch for after the ride. There is a nice pavilion with water views to sit at while enjoying your meal. Directions:10905 W. Riverwood Drive, Crystal River, FL 34428. From Altoona go WEST on CR 42 for 22 miles. Turn RIGHT on 27/441 north for 4 miles; LEFT on 132nd St Rd for 28 miles; LEFT on 41 S. Williams ST for ½ mi; RIGHT on W. Dunnellon Rd (CR 488) for 8 miles; RIGHT on N. Northcut Ave for 1.3 mi. LEFT on W. Riverwood Dr. for 2.3 mi; RIGHT at the gate into the parking area next to the dam. You will need the combination to the gate lock. Call 352-447-1720 or 352-236-7143 a few days prior to travel to obtain the combo at no charge.
FEB :
Thursday Feb 5th - ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702. Social time 7PM, meeting at 7:15 PM.
Thurs. Feb. 12th - 15th - Shangri-La Campout - Reservations are required call 1-800-326-3521 or online at reserve.floridastateparks.org. Primitive sites with a bathhouse available. Horses can be high tied or put in portable panels (you must provide panels). If you can't camp come for a day ride on Saturday Feb 14th. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED FOR SATURDAY'S RIDE ONLY TO THOSE WHO RSVP!! Show your love for your horse by decorating horse and rider in Valentine's Day Attire. All other meals on your own or join those who like to go out to dinner at local restaurants. Directions: 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.
Friday Feb. 20th - Doe Lake Day Ride - Ride out time 10am. Bring your lunch to enjoy after the ride. There is an opportunity to camp for anyone interested. Kerry and Duane Young have reserved Doe Lake and invite others to join in for the weekend - Thurs - Monday. cost is $100 for the weekend. Camping is primitive. Contact Kerry, 352-217-0177, if you want to attend. Meals on your own. Doe Lake has a kitchen with refrig and MW. Bath house and dining hall. It is a beautiful place to camp and ride. Directions: Approx 16 miles from Altoona. From Altoona, go WEST on CR 42 to SE 182nd Ave. (At the Buck N Does grocery). Road for 4 miles to 127th street. There is a brown Doe Lake sign before this road. Turn right onto this dirt road and go almost 1 mile to the camp entrance on the right. Bring lunch to eat after the ride. Restrooms on site. Water available for horses. Weather permitting, take a swim with your horse.
Saturday Feb. 18th - Progressive Dinner Day Ride - This is the ride your don't want to miss. We start eating at one place and continue to eat at stops along the way until we return back to Paige and John's place. Starting place for ride Paige & Jon Chassie's place-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. Ride to main course at Twisted Oak. Ride to dessert (secret for now) and then back to Paige & John's place. Appetizers at 11am. Ride out 11:45am.
Sunshine Committee: We've got a few members who need prayers for healing and a few for comfort. Francine Kerns mom, Fran was in the hospital recently. Last I heard she was home recovering. Katrina Elliott endured a bad case of the shingles and Margaret Adams is recovering from a horse kick to the knee. It was a tough month for our furry loved ones too. Jackie Richie lost her dog Roxy. Sherry Orr has 2 horses with injuries. Leah Greenleaf lost her dog Luna. Amy Toman lost her great dane Miley. Rebecca Herl had to say goodbye to her 30 something year old horse, Rojo. 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.
