Happy Spring
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
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.
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 April 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: Reminder : If you have NOT paid your $40 deposit for your electric site please make sure you get it done by the start of the April 2nd meeting. If you do not pay your deposit your spot will be given to the next person in line for electric.
I know it's a bit early for the April newsletter but since we are camping at Colt Creek this weekend I wanted to get ahead of things. As this season is winding down we are preparing for next year by voting in the new 2026/27 Board at the April 2nd meeting. Here's the list of candidates President : Michelle McWilliams, TrailBoss/VP : Ron Smith, Secretary : Renee Lewis, Treasurer : Paige Chassie and Directors : Martha Bradford, Georlyn Cates, Jerry Harrington, Sherry Orr & Kerry Young. You really cannot go wrong when voting for any of these candidates as they all have been a Club member for a minimum of three years.
Per our discussion at the March meeting I've been working on what it will take for the Club to rent Shangri-la campground sometime next season. Your Board is working on picking a date and getting all the paperwork filled out. The process is fairly simple but it does have a lot of components to work out. They charge the regular nightly fee for the campsites, plus a $20 permit fee and then an event fee that ranges from a few hundred to thousands based on what you plan to do while camping. Since we are simply camping we should be on the low end of that range. I am hoping to have all the details at our April meeting.
I know many of our northern members will be making their way back to their home states this month. We have enjoyed your company and can't wait to see you again in the fall! Please be kind to us when you post about all the lovely cool riding days you are enjoying back home while we will be sweating just walking to the barn. As well as fighting for ours and our horses lives battling the bugs and ticks on our trails. Remember you can always come back to see us in June at the Year End Party on June 6th at Grand Oaks.
Still a lot of fun to be had so check out the calendar and plan accordingly.
Calendar:
March:
Thurs. March 26th - 20th - Colt Creek Campout : Primitive camping only. There is a bath house within driving distance. Must make your own reservation through reserve.floridastateparks.org. All meals on your own. There are some who like to go out to dinner so if you wish to join them just let Trail Boss Ron Smith know once you get to camp. Phone number to make reservations : 863-815-6761 Directions: 16000 State Road 471, Lakeland, FL 33809, 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).
April :
Thurs. April 2nd - 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. It's time to VOTE! Be sure to come to this meeting to vote for your candidate for the 2026/2027 ATR Board. If you are unable to attend there is the option of mailing in your vote (7 days prior to April 2nd) or having another member bring it to the meeting in a sealed envelope.
ARTICLE IV (Membership Meetings; Voting & Trail Safety)
SECTION 2: Members may vote by absentee ballot when the following conditions are met:
· A completed ballot form, signed and dated by the member, is delivered to a member of the Committee counting ballots in a sealed envelope at the April meeting by a member in good standing.
· If the member chooses to mail their completed, signed & dated absentee ballot it must be postmarked seven (7) days prior to the date of the April meeting.
Saturday April 4th - Lake George Day Ride : Ride out time 9:30 am. Make note we are now back to earlier ride out time to get ahead of the heat!!! There are restrooms and wide open parking. Easter is near so let's decorate to celebrate. Bring lunch to enjoy at trailhead after the ride. Club will provide dessert for after the ride. Please RSVP via Facebook or to Ron Smith Trail Boss. We do cross a small country road to get on the trails. We will ride down to the lake. Directions: 37 miles from Altoona. Head north on FL-19N (10miles) Turn right onto CR 445A (4.1 miles) Turn right onto FL-40E (9.5 miles) Turn left onto US-17N (10 miles) Turn left onto Clayton Ave/Lake George Road (0.2 miles) Turn right onto Church Street (200ft) Turn left onto Lake George Road (2.4 miles) Entrance will be on the right.
Mon. April 6th - BackCountry Work Day : Meet at the intersection of FR 49 and FR 02 at 9am.
Thurs. April 16th - Halfmoon Day Ride : Ride out at 9:30 am. Bring your lunch to enjoy after the ride at the trailhead. Directions: 8864 CR 247 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.
Thurs. April 23rd - Sunday April 26th - Hitching Post Trails Campout : Last campout of the season. We have the whole place to ourselves. All reservations go through Trail Boss Ron Smith. You can ride right off the property onto the Cross Florida Greenway Trails, in the Spider Kingdom Section of the Greenway. There are maps available on site. Sites are shaded with fourteen 12 X 12 pens near by for horses which are also in the shade. There is plenty of room for those who wish to go primitive. There is a bathhouse and a small covered picnic table area. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at ALL times and be sure to clean up waste after. Cost is $30 per night plus a $10 horse on property fee so $40 per night for 3 nights is $120. All meals on your own. Of course we will be close to some good restaurants so there will a group going out for dinner. Please let TrailBoss Ron Smith know if you wish to join this group. Since will be within 30 minutes of numerous tack stores I'm sure we will find ourselves taking a day trip after riding to support the local horse communities. Friday and Saturday evening after dinner (since it'll be daylight till 9pm!!) we will have some fun activities planned. Bring a dessert to share Friday night.
Directions : 10623 Southeast 19th Court, Ocala, FL 34480. From Altoona : Turn right onto Hwy 42 West go 22 miles, turn right onto 27 N/US-441 N and go 7.6. Turn left onto SE 110th Street and go 2.7 miles. Turn right onto SE 19th Court and go 0.3 miles. Hitching Post will be on the right.
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 Dress Couple!! Arrive at 5pm dressed in your Derby best. Members purchase your own meal and drinks. Bring extra cash to place bets. Karen will have each horse racing in the Derby on slips of paper in various place finishing's. $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 regarding time and place to meet.
Tues. May 5th - Plumwood Arabians Arena Day Ride - Ride out at 9:30. Cinco De Mayo Ride, Tacos for lunch. Bring chair for lunch and beverages.
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.
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.
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!
