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: Happy Spring!!! Which in Florida thaeally just means welcome back to the HEAT and BUGS!!!! Although we are still enjoying a few cooler temps in the morning we all know that the days of 80 degrees with 90 % humidity at 7 am are fast approaching so get out there and enjoy while you can. On the bright side, if there is one, we can now choose to wait until later in the day to ride, do horse chores or just enjoy the outdoors past 5 pm since it is now daylight until 8 pm.
Hope everyone got their votes mailed in or plan on attending the April 3rd meeting to cast their vote. In case you have seen it yet here are your choices for Board members : Martha Bradford, John Dalziel, Jerry Harrington, Libby McDermott, Andy Michel, and Karen Szabo. Choice for Officers : Treasurer : Paige Chassie, Secretary : Renee Lewis, VP/Trail Boss : Ron Smith, President : Michelle McWilliams. All excellent candidates!
Still two months of Club riding left. Be sure to check out Facebook and our website for all the upcoming ride details. Be thinking about where you'd like to ride next season. It's never to early to start planning out the fun we can have.
Calendar:
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 Sawgrass Island Preserve-Day Ride. THIS RIDE IS REPLACING SAN FELASCO DAY RIDE. Ride out at 10 am.
Peter Cottontail will be hopping down the bunny trails at Sawgrass for an Easter Scavenger Hunt. Each rider will be given a list of items (pictures of items to look for) hidden somewhere on the trails. Riders must take a picture of their finds. You may work in teams or as individuals. All photos must be on 1 phone for judging. As a tie breaker, a time will be given to each rider when the rider brings their phone up for judging. There will also be a GOLDEN EGG hidden along the way. IF FOUND THE RIDER MUST BRING THE EGG (STILL SEALED) BACK TO TRAILHEAD TO COLLECT PRIZE. **2 prizes will be handed out. One for the most items found and one for finding the golden egg***
Bring your lunch to enjoy while waiting for winner to be announced. Bring water for your horse.
Directions: Sawgrass Island Preserve
11931 Sawgrass Island Road, Umatilla, FL 32784
From Altoona, go west on CR 42 for 7 miles to SE Highway 450. Turn left onto 450 and go less than 1 mile to
stay straight on the road onto SE 237th Court which turns into Thomas Boat Landing Road. Continue 1.2 miles
on Thomas Boat Landing Road to Sawgrass Island Road on the left. Turn left and follow the dirt road thru the
gate. Parking -- Go to the left upon entering the park.
Tuesday, 8th- Back Country Work Day - Jerry Harrington will discuss more details at April 3rd Meeting.
Friday, April 25th-28th Colt Creek SP Lakeland (Campout) - Everyone to make their own reservations through reserve.floridastateparks.org. Primitive camping. Camping Friday through Monday. Friday night Potluck and Pancake breakfast Sunday morning before ride. All other meals on your own.
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). 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).
May :
Thursday, 1st Monthly Meeting - at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 .
Saturday, 3rd - Kentucky Derby Party - The Crazy Gator at 402 N Bay Street Eustis, FL 32726. Party from 5pm to 7:30 pm. Come dressed in your Derby Duds and Hats!! 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. Please RSVP by Friday April 25th so we may have a head count for Crazy Gators on Facebook or email : trails4me@aol.com, Ron Smith with name and number in your party. You do not need to be an ATR member to attend.
Thursday, 8th - Orange Creek Day Ride - Ride out at 9:30 am. Let's support a locate business by stopping at a local restaurant for lunch. Trail Boss Ron Smith will find the perfect place. We'll get a head count closer to the ride. 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.
Saturday, 24th Day Ride at Trailhead Ranch - Ride out at 9:30am. This will be the last ride of the season. You won't want to miss it!!! You never know what we might have planned. 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.
June :
Thursday, June 5, monthly meeting - at the Altoona School at 7pm. Address: 42630 FL-19, Altoona, FL 32702 . Ice Cream Social.
Saturday, June 7, Year End Banquet - Being held at Grand Oaks Resort 3000 Marion County Road Weirsdale, FL 32195. Fun starts at 1 pm until 5pm. Food provided. There will be a cash bar. Tickets will go on sale in April for $35 per member and $40 for non members. Remember if you signed up under a single membership spouses will be considered non members and must pay the $40 ticket fee.
