Happy Spring
Welcome to Altoona Trail Riders
Dedicated to preserving equestrian trails, participating in community service and promoting family fun.
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
Lake George Conservation Area day ride
Thursday, April 16
Half Moon WMA day ride
April 23 - 26
Campout at Hitching Post Trails farm. Let Ron know if you want to be in the drawing for electric . Elec sites are limited. Unlimited primitive site, bathhouse. Pens.
may 2026
Saturday, May 2
Kentucky Derby party, 9 North Grill, Umatilla, 5-7PM. Must RSVP.
Tuesday, May 5
Day ride - Plumwood Arabians Arena for Cinco de Mayo. Ride out at 9:30.
Thursday, May 7
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, May 15
Day Ride at Trailhead Ranch. Ride out at 9:30. Must RSVP.
Thursday, May 21
Day ride - Orange Creek conservation Area. ride out at 9:30.
june 2026
Thursday, June 4
Monthly meeting, Altoona School, 7PM. Annual ice cream social.
Saturday, June 6
Annual banquet, Grand Oaks Resort, Weirsdale. 1-5 PM.
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 May 2026
OFFICERS :
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: Well last month I was a few days early with the newsletter and this month I'm a few days late. Just been having to much fun these days and putting off my adult responsibilities.
I hope everyone has gotten out on the trails to enjoy the last few days of cool mornings. Before we know it the heat will hit you right in the face at 7:30am when you head out to feed! And let's not even get started on the bugs and ticks, ugh!! We have three great rides left so check the calendar and plan accordingly. For those of you who might be close to earning some big awards you really don't want to miss those rides.
Speaking of missing all the fun....we ended our campouts this season at Hitching Post in Ocala. The dust was thick but the good times more than made up for it. We fully enjoyed the local food and even hit a few tack shops just to see what we didn't know we needed. You will have plenty of time to get your rigs ready for next year's campouts this summer.
Reminder for all coming to the Derby Party at 9North in Umatilla: Bring exact change to participate in the betting. For those who are new Karen Pando lists all the Horse's running in all the potential winning places; win, place (2nd), show (3rd). She then divides the money collected amongst the top 3 winners. It's a great way to get some extra cash to pay for dinner. We will have a full house Saturday so please be patient with all the servers and bartender tomorrow.
Also be thinking of where you'd like to camp and day ride next year. What activities would you like to do at campouts and day rides as well? Even though we take the summer off we are always thinking of things to do for the next year. Don't forget to fill out our year end survey at the June meeting or via email. This is YOUR club and we want to hear what you want to do!
May :
Sat. May 2nd - Derby Party at 9North Grill & Watering Hole Restaurant : YOU MUST RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!!! . Facebook or email : trails4me@aol.com, Ron Smith with name and number in your party. DEADLINE TO RSVP IS SUNDAY APRIL 26TH! Prizes for best Derby Hat and Best Dressed Couple!! Arrive at 5pm dressed in your Derby best. Members purchase your own meal and drinks. Bring extra cash (exact change works best $1) to place bets. Karen will have each horse racing in the Derby on slips of paper in various place finishings. $3 per slip. Once everyone has purchased one slip then it will be open for multiple bets Directions : 9 North Central Avenue, Umatilla, FL 32784
Mon. May 4th - BackCountry Work Day - Check Facebook for more details. There will be two different meeting places for this work day. Some volunteers need to meet at Leah Greenleaf's place and some need to meet at Hinson Cemetery. Meet up time is 8:30am, remember it's getting hot out there so earlier is better. The trails you will be working on will need faceslappers cut back so bring you loppers, water, bug/tick spray and a pole saw if you have one. Be sure to let someone know your coming and which meet up spot you are going to. Contact Jerry Harrington or Karen Pando.
Tues. May 5th - Plumwood Arabians Arena Day Ride - Ride out at 9:30. Cinco De Mayo Ride. RSVP required by Tuesday April 28th. Tacos for lunch (Club will provide). Bring chair for lunch and a beverage. We will have water. Be sure to spray for ticks and flies. Most of the trail will be in the shade. Two groups going out a faster group and a slower group. Ride will be approx 2 hours. Address: 44945 Dupree Rd. Altoona. Go north on SR 19 to Ravenswood Road which will be on the left. Go down Ravenswood Road to the first intersection, which will be Dupree. Turn right onto Dupree and go to Plumwood Arena sign, it will be on the left. Drive back there and go around the arena to park.
Thurs. May 7th - ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702. Social time 7PM, meeting at 7:15 PM. Refreshments served.
Sat. May 16th- Trailhead Ranch Day Ride - At Linda and Jerry Harrington's Trailhead Ranch. Ride out at 9:30.
. **RSVP REQUIRED**. RSVP by Monday May 11th. You aren't gonna want to miss this one! Jerry has come up with a fun activity for this ride. Lunch will be provided. Bring your chair. Don't forget the fly/tick spray. Ride will be approx 2 hours. Prize for winners.
Directions: 27435 SE Hwy 42 Umatilla, FL 32784 From Altoona, go West on CR 42 for 3.3 mi. Look for Trailhead Ranch sign on the RIGHT. Turn onto dirt driveway and follow to designated parking in pasture straight ahead. Park as directed.
Thurs. May 21st - Orange Creek Conservation Area Day Ride - Ride out at 9:30. Last ride of the season. We will ride down to the lake. We will have lunch at Flyer's Cafe located nearby. RSVP to Ron Smith if you plan to go to Flyer's. They have parking for trailers. You can also stay at the Trail head and have lunch. Directions: 5225 E. Highway 318 Citra, FL 32133 (approx. 60 miles from Altoona). From Altoona, go north on SR 19 to SR 40. Go West on SR 40 to CR 326. Go north-west on CR 326 to SR 441/301 for 5.5 miles to where 441 and 301 split. Keep right to stay on SR 301. Go 5.5 miles to the traffic light at CR 318. Go east on CR 318 for 3 miles and the trail head will be on the left. Please check "going" on the event page if you will be attending.
June :
Thurs. June 4th - ATR Monthly Meeting at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702. Social time 7PM, meeting at 7:15 PM. ICE CREAM SOCIAL! Come enjoy the last meeting of the season. New Board members will take over at this meeting.
Sat. June 6th - ATR Year End Banquet at Grand Oaks. 1-5 PM. Join us as well celebrate the fun we had this riding season. RSVP required. Must RSVP by May 25th. More details to come.
Directions: 3000 Marion County Road Weirsdale, Fl 32195. 22 miles from Altoona. Turn right onto CR 42W (16 miles) Turn left onto SE 155th Ave (2.1 miles) Turn right onto Marion County Road. Entrance will be 1/2 mile down on the left.
Sunshine Committee: 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.
